The Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has clarified that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Youth and Sports not the GFA to disclose the budget for the senior national football team, the Black Stars. His remarks come amid growing calls for transparency in the management of funds allocated to national teams.

The issue of budget transparency gained renewed attention following President John Dramani Mahama’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 27. During his address, President Mahama directed the Sports Minister to ensure full disclosure of the national team’s budget, emphasizing accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayers’ money.

“Next month, the senior national team, the Black Stars, now a shadow of their former selves, will be in action. I have instructed the Minister for Sports and Recreation to hold the GFA accountable, particularly on the budget for the team,” Mahama stated. “There will be no secrecy in how much money the government puts into the national team. The budget presented by the FA and other associations must be made public because it’s taxpayers’ money.”

The President’s statement has sparked widespread discussions within the sports community and among the general public, with many expressing support for greater transparency in sports administration. However, Henry Asante Twum has sought to clarify the role of the GFA in the budgetary process, pointing out that the ultimate responsibility for budget disclosure lies with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“Making the Black Stars’ budget public is not the responsibility of the Ghana Football Association. It is the responsibility of the Sports Ministry,” Asante Twum told Sports FM. He reiterated that while the GFA may propose budgets for national teams, the approval, funding, and public disclosure of such budgets are managed by the Sports Ministry.

This development highlights the need for clear communication between the GFA and the Sports Ministry, especially regarding financial matters that involve public funds. Sports analysts have noted that while the GFA plays a crucial role in managing the national teams, the onus is on the government, through the Sports Ministry, to provide transparent and detailed financial disclosures.

With the Black Stars set to participate in upcoming international fixtures, sports enthusiasts and stakeholders will be closely monitoring how the Sports Ministry handles the budget disclosure process. Many hope that this move will set a precedent for transparency and accountability, not only in football but across all sports disciplines in Ghana.

The GFA has indicated its readiness to cooperate fully with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in fulfilling the President’s directive, further demonstrating its commitment to upholding governance standards in Ghanaian football.