Playing for Ghana’s senior national team must not be about money and so the government must, as a matter of urgency, remove the money incentive for the Black Stars, Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Ghana, has said.
The Black Stars will kick off their first game in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon on Tuesday January 17 against Uganda. They are one of the favourites to win the tournament.
However, Mr Bentil has said in order to win the full support of most Ghanaians, the government, through the Minister of Youth and Sports, must take certain actions.
He wrote on his Facebook: “To restore Black Stars to our hearts, disband the whole team and ask any player who wishes to play to apply. The coach will select the best (Sack Avram too. We really want a Ghanaian).
The terms for all Black Stars players should be reset as follows: No more dollar bonuses. All payments will be made in cedis into bank accounts in Ghana; GHS5000 appearance fee for each game; GHS 5000 winning bonus. Nothing for loss. Half for draw. If they win a tournament all the amount realised will be shared to them. The state will keep nothing.
“All players who get injured playing for Ghana will be given full medical coverage for any treatment needed to restore them anywhere in the world. With these only those who want to play for Ghana will show up. Playing for the national team must never be about money, so please remove the money incentive.”