Amid the backlash over expenditure at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Minister of Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams believes the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government deserves recognition for its frugal spending.

In an interview with TV3, the minister repeatedly referred to the budget for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, arguing that expenditure on the tournament was higher than the amount spent on the 2026 edition, which has sparked public controversy.

Kofi Adams noted that a comparative analysis of the two tournaments clearly shows that the government spent more prudently in 2026 than in 2022.

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Total spending on the 2022 and 2026 World Cups

Kofi Adams indicated that total expenditure on Ghana's participation in the 2026 World Cup amounted to GH¢55,079,487.

“That was how much we spent on this World Cup. Look, in 2022 in Qatar, appearance fees alone were GH¢59,150,000. So, just the appearance fee alone was more than all the money we spent—appearance fees, per diems, all other expenses, and everything,” he said.

He further argued that appearance fees alone for the 2022 tournament in Qatar exceeded the total amount spent on Ghana's participation in the 2026 tournament in the United States, despite the team spending more time at the latter competition.

According to the minister, Ghana's progression to the knockout stage meant the team had to remain in the United States beyond its initial three group-stage matches.

“Our group game was played on the 27th. Under normal circumstances, the next day you have to be leaving, so you would have been paid per diem again for the 28th. By, 29th you are leaving; we are not going to pay. But because we qualified for the knockout stage, we have to stay up till the 3rd of July to play in Kansas,” he explained.

Kofi Adams stressed that the difference in expenditure was clear, arguing that President John Dramani Mahama's administration had managed the spending more prudently.

“In 2026, even though we qualified out of the group stage, we spent GH¢55 million. Between a government that spends GH¢55 million when it qualifies out of the group stage and one that spends GH¢66 million when they left the competition at the group stage, who was prudent? Who was prudent?” he questioned.

Purse holder payment

Addressing criticisms of the GH¢120,000 payment to the purse holder for the 2026 World Cup, Kofi Adams said the amount was justifiable, considering the responsibilities involved in carrying out the role.

The minister expressed surprise at the backlash, comparing the payment with the amount spent on the purse holder during the 2022 World Cup under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, which he said was higher than the current figure.

“But interestingly, I'm surprised that they were worried about the payment of one hundred and twenty thousand cedis to a purse holder in 2026. In 2022, when the World Cup was just in Qatar. Only Qatar. The purse holder received $10,000, equivalent to GH¢130,000 then, and in addition received an appearance fee of $50,000, that is GH¢650,000,” he added.

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Between a government that spent over GH₵66 million on just the group stage of the 2022 World Cup and one that spent GH₵55 million despite progressing beyond the group stage, who was prudent?” - Minister for Sports, Kofi Adams, quizzes, stating that appearance fees for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar exceeded the total expenditure for the entire 2026 World Cup.

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— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) October 11, 2026

Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams has clarified the role of a “purse holder,” describing the position as that of the ministry’s accountant at the World Cup.

He also disclosed that the purse holder was paid GH₵120,000 for the 2026 World Cup, while in 2022, the purse holder received $10,000 in addition to an appearance fee of $50,000.

#HotIssues

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) October 11, 2026