Ghana's disgraceful WC bonus saga could resurface at AFCON

Ghana players could stage another disgraceful revolt similar to what happened at the 2014 World Cup if government doesn’t engage the Black Stars over the new slashed bonus package for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

Ghana could be subjected to another global disgrace if players decide to stage another strike during next month’s tournament because of the ‘military style’ the sports ministry is seeking to impose the new bonus package.

The government was forced to transport $4m to the Black Stars at the World Cup in Brazil as they failed to reach an agreement over their appearance fees before the tournament, which subjected the country to global disgrace.

Under the new slashed bonuses, each player will receive a flat match appearance fee of US$5, 000 per game at every level, including the Group, Knockout and medal stages unlike the $10,000 they earned for winning matches at the group stage which has not gone down well.

The decision on the new bonus package was taken without consulting or reaching a consensus with the players.

Insiders say the Black Stars are unhappy over the pay package for the AFCON, particularly the decision by the Sports Ministry to impose the bonuses without consulting them or explaining the rationale behind it.

The deputy sports minister's effusions that players must accept the new package or quit the national team is said to have angered the players over what has been termed as ‘military’ in approach.

The players could wait until the final squad for the AFCON is named on 7 January before staging the protest, which could force the government to pay up, as Ghana cannot replace the players at that time.

Several ex-Ghana players have warned that the approach by the government is counterproductive and new ways must be explored to engage the players to avoid the disaster in Brazil.

Former Black Stars playmaker Nii Odartey Lamptey says the key approach to averting the Brazil disaster is by communicating with the players the rationale behind the action.

“These are players that are uneven. If the ministry feels that some of the players are well to do and decide to slash the money, they should be wary of what could follow,” Lamptey said

“I feel the communication could have been done better, these are players that we could engage them and let them understand our current situation.

“I am sure if we communicate well with them, we could reach an amicable situation; if not, it could spell doom.”

Former Black Stars striker Augustine Arhinful also agrees that there must be dialogue with the players otherwise they could be another revolt.

At the last tournament in South Africa, the budget included a US$ 10,000 for winning a match at the Group stage and US$ 15,000 in the semi-finals.

The reviewed financial package is what has delayed the 2015 AFCON budget.

Ghana will begins the campaign on 19 January in Mongomo against Senegal before engaging Algeria and South Africa.