Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Explains GH¢58 Million Expenditure on Black Stars’ World Cup Campaign | Discuss Ghana

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed that the government spent GH¢58 million (approximately $5 million) on the Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, clarifying that the actual expenditure came in significantly under the initial budget allocation due to the team’s knockout-stage exit.

Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament, Dr. Forson stated that the Ministry of Finance had originally budgeted and allocated GH¢150 million to cover the national team’s entire World Cup program, working under the projection that Ghana would reach the final. He explained that because the team’s run ended in the Round of 32 following a narrow loss to Colombia, actual spending was restricted to GH¢58 million, covering group stage preparations, logistics, and tournament operational costs across host cities in North America. The Finance Minister emphasized that laying these figures before Parliament aligns with the administration's commitment to public transparency and fiscal accountability in state sports financing.

Ensuring transparent sports budgeting and managing public funds effectively remain key expectations as lawmakers review government expenditure following international tournaments.