The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has revealed that popular dancehall artiste Shatta Wale was not paid for his performance at the 2025 President’s Cup, and that he personally covered all production costs associated with his set at the Accra Sports Stadium.

In a statement released by the Ministry, Shatta Wale delivered the performance “pro bono in honour of the President and the Ghanaian people,” and took full responsibility for expenses related to dancers, costumes, rehearsals and stage production.

“True to his promise to deliver an experience that extended beyond football, the Minister engaged Shatta Wale, who not only agreed to perform pro bono but personally covered all costs related to his performance,” the Ministry stated.

Shatta Wale has since confirmed this in a social media post, writing: “Let’s bring the love of football back and Shaxi fully sponsored my performance.”

The announcement comes in the wake of widespread public praise for the record-breaking success of the 2025 President’s Cup, which filled the Accra Sports Stadium to capacity on Sunday, 6 July. The Sports Ministry described the event as a turning point in public confidence in domestic football.

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, is being credited for overseeing the full turnaround. This marks the second major football event under his watch to draw a full house, following Ghana’s 5–0 win over Chad in March.

“This is a clear demonstration of his conviction that sports, when marketed strategically, can be self-sustaining,” the statement reads.

The Ministry attributed the success of the President’s Cup to a blend of strategic partnerships, targeted mobilisation, and entertainment integration, all achieved without spending a cedi of public funds.

To ensure sustainable financing, a fundraising committee chaired by Dr Tony Aubynn and Bola Ray was tasked with mobilising resources from both the public and private sectors. The Minister personally led the sponsorship efforts, sending out proposals and letters to potential partners.

The 2025 edition sharply contrasted with previous years, notably the 2023 tournament, which struggled to attract even 5,000 fans. 

The Ministry said a comprehensive media campaign, a friendly regional rivalry sparked by the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regional Ministers, and the unification of supporters’ groups under one umbrella, all helped create the buzz that led to a packed stadium.

Supporting performances from Kwaku Smoke, Bogo Blay and Camidoh also added to the event’s appeal.

Beyond the showmanship, the Ministry noted that the Minister has taken steps to improve infrastructure and maintenance at the Accra Sports Stadium. A task force is now in place to manage the pitch, and critical renovations have been undertaken to meet CAF and FIFA standards. The stage for the musical performances was placed behind the goalposts to avoid damaging the playing surface.

The Ministry concluded that the success of the President’s Cup, coupled with the Black Stars’ earlier match against Chad, “demonstrates that with innovative thinking and stakeholder engagement, the narrative around Ghanaian sports can be transformed.”

The statement further indicates that Kofi Adams’ leadership of the 2025 President’s Cup is a clear signal that public confidence is returning and that Ghana’s sports sector has the capacity to thrive on its own merit.