Ghana bonuses row deepens

Black Stars players and members of its management committee will be entitled to the same bonus package during next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The startling revelation was contained in the budgetary proposal for the tournament chanced upon by the GNA Sports and submitted to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for consideration.

The total budget of the pre-tournament and final phase of the 29th edition of the showpiece continental event is pegged at a staggering $7,7 million, of which $1 million is for the nine-day camping in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the remaining amount for the main campaign in South Africa.

However, the shocking observation is the fact that players plus the technical team will enjoy the same bonus package with four members of the Black Stars Management committee, who will accompany the team.

This will come as a huge surprise as it is claimed that the players have severally called for a review of the bonus before each major competition.

culled from The Ghana News Agency

Last year, the Stars bagged $12 500 for each win at the Africa Cup of Nations held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. In South Africa next year, each players plus the technical team will receive $17 500 at the group phase, same as members of the Management Committee headed by Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Other members of the Management Committee are Felix Ansong (Chairman, Liberty Professionals), Moses Armah (President, Medeama SC), Kwame Ofosu Bamfo (formerly of Okwawu United and of Alisa Hotels fame), Yaw Boateng Gyan (National Organizer of the ruling National Democratic Congress) and Emmanuel Kyeremeh (President, Berekum Chelsea).

In the event the Stars advance to the knockout stage, the bonus will swell to $20 000 dollars; $22 000 for the medal zone and a further $25 000 for reaching the final. Interestingly, the package will be same for the four management members who will accompany the team at each stage of the competition.

The bonuses are exclusive of $17 500 appearance fee for the final 23 players and 17 officials including members of the Management committee.

Another point expected to choke the Black Stars players and technical team is the fact that they will earn $100 per day, against $150 by the Management members for the duration of the finals in South Africa.

Also, GNA Sports gathers that airfare (Accra-Johannesburg-Accra) for the 50-member contingent will cost $250 000. This is contrary to the regulations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the tournament which states that the football governing body will take care of the air tickets of 30-members of each participating team at the final tournament.

Article 99.4 states: “The reimbursement of the travel expenses by plane in economical class (full-fare) both ways from the capital of the concerned country by the most direct route, for the teams of the participant associations for a maximum of 30 persons.”

From the budget, $70 000 has been penciled for Media Relations and an amazing $200 000 for protocol.

The Stars are housed in Group B alongside DR Congo, Mali and Niger; and in that vein $20 000 has been earmarked for scouting of the opponents.

Accommodation will go for $184 000; $20 000 for the purchase of foodstuffs and $15 000 for laundry. Meanwhile, Clement Kofi Humado, Minister of Youth and Sports and his team are expected to review the proposal in the coming days and make their appropriate recommendations.