Sports Ministry, GFA defend $20m World Cup budget

The Sports Ministry and the Ghana FA have made an initial defence of an over US$20m budget for Ghana’s participation at the 2014 World Cup to President John Mahama.

According to a Citi FM report, the team led by Sports Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah and Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi engaged the President for hours discussing the Black Stars’ preparations for the tournament to be staged in Brazil and its related costs.

Kwesi Nyantakyi’s presentation focused on the Black Stars team and its preparations for the tournament.

His area had to do with the team’s camping plans, travel arrangements, friendly matches, bonuses, finances for extra technical and medical support and management.

Sports Minister Afriyie Ankrah on the other hand focused on the general organisation of supporters and officials to Brazil and intended plans to hold a Ghana village to hold exhibitions and other events to market the country.

The duo’s presentation incorporated the tangible and intangible benefits to be drawn by Ghana from the huge investment towards the World Cup.

The Sports Minister also sought permission to inaugurate various sub committees to commence work towards Ghana’s participation in its third successive World Cup finals.

The committees will be spanning areas including; i) Protocol and Supporters, to be headed by Hon. Kojo Adu-Asare.

ii) Events and Logistics, to be headed by Horace Ankrah.

iii) Marketing, to be headed by Joel Nettey.

iv) Media and Communication, to be headed by Ackah Anthony.

v) Trade, Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, to be headed by Hon. Elizabeth Agyare.

vi) Health, Sanitation, Safety and Security, to be headed by Alhaji Saeed Lartey.

The initial presentation was based on studies done by a 12-member delegation that travelled to Brazil back in December for the final World Cup draw.

The Sports Ministry will be sending another delegation to Brazil to affirm the initial studies done.

The Ghana government approved a US$19m budget for the last World Cup in South Africa.

The budget for this year’s World Cup will certainly experience a significant rise due to anticipated rising team and organisational cost for the Brazil tournament.