Accra: Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has advised the government against using public funds to sponsor supporters' travel to the USA, Canada, and Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Ghana Web, Vanderpuye expressed concerns that the government would contravene the findings of the Dzamefe Commission if state funds were used to airlift Black Stars supporters to the hosting countries. His comments follow reports that the government is considering plans to facilitate fans' travel to support the Black Stars at the upcoming World Cup.
Vanderpuye acknowledged the sports minister's decision to support the team by flying fans to the US, Canada, and Mexico. However, he emphasized the importance of adhering to the white paper report of the Dzamefe Commission, which discourages government financing of supporters for national team tournaments. He suggested mobilizing private resources as a solution to achieve the objective of fan support.
He further urged authorities to ensure a fair selection process for fans attending the Mundial, avoiding favoritism. Vanderpuye questioned the rationale behind repeatedly sending the same individuals to the World Cup, advocating for opportunities for other Ghanaians who have never experienced such events. He stressed creating opportunities for diverse groups of supporters to participate in these tournaments.