The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has clarified that it does not handle financial matters concerning the Black Stars, stating that all budgeting and expenditure fall under the purview of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

The FA’s statement comes in response to President John Dramani Mahama’s comments during his State of the Nation Address, where he raised concerns about Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and called for greater transparency in managing the Black Stars’ finances.

While acknowledging Mahama’s concerns, the GFA expressed gratitude for his passion for Ghanaian football, noting that the nation remains joint-top of its FIFA World Cup qualifying group. It also reiterated its commitment to improving the team’s performance by strengthening its management and technical structures.

“We also endorse His Excellency’s call for transparency in relation to the budgeting and expenditure related to the Black Stars and, by extension, all national teams,” the GFA stated.

The FA, however, stressed that it only provides the Ministry with a draft budget for national teams, after which all financial decisions rest with the government.

"Indeed, as part of our commitment to transparency, the GFA has always provided the Ministry responsible for Sports with the first draft budget for the national teams.

"Beyond this, everything to do with the budgeting and expenditure related to the Black Stars sits with the Ministry.

"For emphasis, payments made in relation to the Black Stars are exclusively handled by the Ministry," the statement added.

The GFA pledged its support to the Ministry in ensuring transparency and expressed optimism about working together to realise the aspirations of Ghanaians regarding the national team.