I don’t owe the media any AFCON budget explanation - Ayariga

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga says he does not owe the media any explanation on how much was spent at the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

A section of Ghanaians are demanding how much was budgeted for the Black Stars for the tournament, especially after it was revealed by Starrfmonline.com that over six million dollars was blown on airlifting supporters to cheer the senior national team on at the tournament.

Ghana failed to the lift the trophy after they were defeated on penalties by the Elephants of Ivory Coast.

No official in the Sports Ministry or the Ghana Football Association has yet disclosed to the public how much was used for the tournament in the Central African country.

Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Wednesday morning, Ayariga said he is not obliged to disclose the budget to the media but would present a report to Parliament and the appropriate agencies.

“I will put out a report but not to you (host)…I don’t report to you, I report to the auditor General, to parliament and when I do, you’ll get the information through those sources.”

He added: “Going into a tournament is like going into battle with your opponent and part of your arsenal in a battle is how much resources you have since the kind of resources you have determines how effectively you can prosecute your campaign…So the culture of wanting the minister to disclose every single item on his budget before a tournament is a very bad thing because it weakens you in terms of technicality how you go into a tournament.”