Dr Randy Abbey believes the Black Stars $25m budget for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] and the 2021 World Cup qualifiers was poorly communicated.
President Akufo Addo as part of his effort to win the Afcon and better Ghana’s record in the history of the World Cup, a $25m has been proposed for the Black Stars.
This budget was unveiled at a breakfast meeting between Corporate Ghana and the Chief Executive Officers from state institutions.
The meeting took place at the Jubilee House to discuss how funds could be raised for the Black Stars ahead of upcoming competitions.
The idea was to involve corporate organizations so the financial burden on the sports ministry is eased allowing them to also focus on other sports.
Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif admitted that the Black Stars will be eyeing the ultimate prize in the upcoming tournaments but will need huge investments to achieve that.
“It is the dream of the nation to win the Africa Cup of Nations again in Cameroon next year, and to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
“These campaigns require a substantial amount of investment to be able to execute this mandate and government alone cannot shoulder this responsibility at the expense of other sporting disciplines.
“Supporting the Black Stars will enable government to use the sports budget to support other disciplines especially as we gear towards the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“Historically, the Black Stars have performed well every time corporate Ghana has backed them and it is our hope that you will do same again,” the Sports Minister added.
But according to Dr Abbey, who is an Executive Council member of the Ghana Football Association [GFA] believes the communication for the budget was not properly delivered.
“If you examine what the President proposed, I don’t have a problem with it but I think the communication was a problem,” he told Kumasi based Pure.
“The Black Stars is the biggest brand among all the national team and if you check their travelling expenses, it is not easy.
“It is unfortunate that next year, we have two crucial competitions which is the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the World Cup in Qatar.
“These games that everyone would love to see the Black Stars there but I think the rants about the budget is unfortunate.
“I think the communication for the budget for the Black Stars was poorly communicated looking at the channel of communication but I think we should reason through because the expenses on the Black Stars is huge.”
Mr Abbey also revealed that they are engaging government to help inject money into the local league.
“We have been engaging government to help inject money into the local league,” he said.
“When we took over office our first interaction brought the amount to the clubs when the Covid-19 struck but we are still in talks with them to come to help and the local league.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the meeting stated that government will provide $10 million of the required amount with a 5-member committee, headed by the Sports Minister, expected to raise the remaining $15 million.
The committee includes deputy minister of youth and sports designate, Evans Bobie Opoku, Ghana football Association head Kurt Okraku, head coach Charles Akonnor and former Ghana international Sammy Kuffuor.
Source: Modern Ghana