The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has clarified that it does not handle financial matters related to the Black Stars, emphasizing that all budgeting and expenditure are managed by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

In his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 27, 2025, President Mahama called for full transparency in government spending on national teams and urged the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to hold the GFA accountable, particularly in light of the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

In response, the GFA issued a statement on Friday, February 28, 2025, asserting that all financial matters concerning the Black Stars fall solely under the Ministry’s jurisdiction. 

The GFA clarified that while it provides the Ministry with a draft budget for the national teams, all subsequent financial decisions are made by the government.

"We acknowledge the President's observation, during his presentation of the State of the Nation address, that the Black Stars' failure to qualify for the AFCON is not reflective of the country's football talent. Indeed, it is some comfort that Ghana sits at joint top of our World Cup qualifying group at the moment," the statement read.

"We also endorse His Excellency's call for transparency in relation to the budgeting and expenditure related to the Black Stars and, by extension, all national teams."

"Indeed, as part of our commitment to transparency, the GFA has always provided the Ministry responsible for Sports with the first draft budget for the national teams. Beyond this, everything to do with the budgeting and expenditure related to the Black Stars sits with the Ministry. For emphasis,  payments made in relation to the Black Stars are exclusively handled by the Ministry."

While acknowledging President Mahama’s concerns about transparency and accountability, the GFA expressed appreciation for his continued support and passion for Ghana football.

The statement further emphasized the GFA’s commitment to supporting the Ministry in ensuring transparency and pledged to work collaboratively to fulfill the aspirations of Ghanaians for the national team. 

"We support the President's call for the Ministry to deal transparently with the public regarding these matters and will willingly support the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to achieve this goal."

"We are energized by the President's passion and look forward to working with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to actualize the dreams and aspirations of all Ghanaians," the statement read further.

Additionally, the GFA assured that efforts to strengthen the team’s management and technical structures would continue to improve performance.

Read the full statement below.

Press Release on the State of the Nation address delivered by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) wishes to express its gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for his passion for the Black Stars and Ghana Football, a passion shared by millions of Ghanaians.

We acknowledge the President's observation, during his presentation of the State of the Nation address, that the Black Stars' failure to qualify for the AFCON is not reflective of the country's football talent. Indeed, it is some comfort that Ghana sits at joint top of our World Cup qualifying group at the moment.

It is for this reason that the Executive Council has taken some steps to strengthen the Management and Technical team of the Stars. We expect these interventions to reflect in our upcoming World Cup qualifiers in the month of March and also further on in the year.

We also endorse His Excellency's call for transparency in relation to the budgeting and expenditure related to the Black Stars and, by extension, all national teams.

Indeed, as part of our commitment to transparency, the GFA has always provided the Ministry responsible for Sports with the first draft budget for the national teams. Beyond this, everything to do with the budgeting and expenditure related to the Black Stars sits with the Ministry. For emphasis,  payments made in relation to the Black Stars are exclusively handled by the Ministry.

We support the President's call for the Ministry to deal transparently with the public regarding these matters and will willingly support the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to achieve this goal.

We are energized by the President's passion and look forward to working with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to actualize the dreams and aspirations of all Ghanaians.