Social media users react to alleged $800,000 blown on Black Stars games against Brazil, Nicaragua

Various social media platforms have been set ablaze after two Ghanaian sports journalists alleged that Ghana paid $800,000 for the two international friendly games against Brazil and Nicaragua. Popular sports journalist with Kumasi-based Sompa FM, Collins Atta Poku on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, alleged that some MPs informed him that the Finance Ministry made some payments to the tune of $800,000 to the GFA to foot the cost of the friendly matches against Brazil and Nicaragua. The report was backed by JOY FM's Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, making Ghanaians pour out their frustrations amid the economic hardship in Ghana. "Got in touch with 3 Majority MPs who told me they were dismayed to find out the Finance Minister paid almost $800,000 to the Ghana Football Association just last week, in spite of all the challenges we face. The money covers their expenditure in the Brazil and Nicaragua games," Atta Poku tweeted on October 25, 2022. "Got hint of this last week. We paid Brazil and Nicaragua to play them, the person alleges. Brazil I’d understand; but Nicaragua?," Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo also tweeted. During the September break, the Black Stars engaged in two friendlies where they played against Brazil and lost 3-0 in France before drawing 1-1 four days later against Nicaragua in Spain. Below are some reactions on social media put together by GhanaWeb.

Got in touch with 3 Majority MPs who told me they were dismayed to find out the Finance Minister paid almost $800,000 to the Ghana Football Association just last week, in spite of all the challenges we face. The money covers their expenditure in the Brazil and Nicaragua games.— Collins Atta Poku (@PapaPoku) October 25, 2022

Got hint of this last week. We paid Brazil and Nicaragua to play them, the person alleges. Brazil I’d understand; but Nicaragua?— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) October 25, 2022

800,000 dollars to play against Brazil and Nicaragua? We dey in a group with Ronaldo? By now dem sell the country seff— Essel ✌️ (@thatEsselguy) October 25, 2022

That azonto football against Nicaragua and Brazil cost us 800,000 dollars The world cup de3 cocoa season oo They will finish us— Kay???? (@KayPoissonOne) October 25, 2022

You have 800,000 dollars to to dash out to Brazil and Nicaragua? Ghana is not a serious country— TWO TERTY (@Aboa_Banku1) October 25, 2022

800,000 dollars to lose to brazil in addition ah chale— TWO TERTY (@Aboa_Banku1) October 25, 2022

But that was Brazil's tour or what? I mean we pay to be part of Brazil's tour?— SITSO (@OfficialSitso) October 25, 2022

The finance minister paid 800,000 dollars to play against Brazil and Nicaragua? Herh ????????????— Mempeasem President (@AsieduMends) October 25, 2022

Please note that it isn't FREE to play Brazil. Their organisers pitch international takes up to $3m from countries and pay Brazil a fixed $1m to get them to play you. Pretty sure there was some sort of arrangement with Ghana because we both needed that game.— RIP NARKOR®️ (@ONEKEPLER) October 25, 2022