Kofi Adams
Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams has clarified the government’s position on facilitating Ghanaian supporters to attend major sporting competitions.
Adams recently told Parliament that about $1.26 million was spent to procure 2,922 tickets for Ghana’s three group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The tickets were distributed among members of the Ghana Supporters Union, Ghanaians in the diaspora, government officials, the Ghana Students Association and selected Ghana Football Association officials.
However, speaking to JoySports, Adams explained that government policy does not prevent the facilitation of supporters but bars the use of funds specifically appropriated by Parliament for that purpose.
He said the position follows recommendations from the Justice Dzamefe Commission, which investigated Ghana’s participation in the 2014 World Cup.
“We never said in a way that we were not going to send supporters. We were not going to use budgeted funds as appropriated by Parliament to ferry supporters because that is what the Justice Dzamefe Commission report said. It said if government has to facilitate, government must not use budgeted funds.”
Adams’ clarification comes after the disclosure of the $1.26 million World Cup ticket expenditure sparked debate over the government’s role in supporting Ghanaian fans at major sporting events.
The Justice Dzamefe Commission’s recommendations were subsequently accepted by the government.
BY Wletsu Ransford