The debate surrounding the transparency of the Black Stars’ budget has intensified recently, with Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku offering his stance on the issue.
In an interview with Asaase Radio, Okraku emphasized that he has no objection to transparency in football but raised concerns about the selective focus on the national football team’s finances. “I don’t have any problem with making the Black Stars budget public,” Okraku stated, “But why are we not asking every sector to also make their budgets public? Why single out football? Why create confusion where there is no need for confusion?”
This statement from Okraku comes as public pressure mounts for the GFA to disclose detailed financial information regarding the Black Stars’ preparations for upcoming international competitions.
The issue has gained additional prominence due to the significant government funding that supports the team. The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has regularly shared the team’s budget publicly ahead of major tournaments, a move that has not sat well with some within the football administration.
While some officials within the GFA have expressed concerns over the public release of financial details, Okraku’s comments reflect a broader frustration. “The GFA is a private entity,” he argued. “We operate within recognized financial and administrative structures. We should be allowed to run our operations without unnecessary distractions.” He further questioned why only football is being subjected to such scrutiny, especially when other sectors funded by the government do not face similar levels of transparency demands.
Okraku’s remarks come amidst a backdrop of public interest in how government funds are being spent on the Black Stars. While the GFA President stressed the importance of accountability, he suggested that discussions on financial transparency should not be limited to football. “If we’re talking about transparency, it should apply across the board,” he remarked. “Why not ask the ministries or other sectors receiving public funds to also disclose their budgets publicly?”
