The Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah has presented Parliament with an itemised breakdown detailing Ghana’s expenditure at the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Minister Briefing Parliament on Wednesday said the state spent $4,564,532.00 during the competition.
Prior to the tournament, media reports had suggested that the nation had budgeted between $7m and $15m for the competition.
However, the MOYS had denied the reports and promised to account to the people’s representatives after one-month biennial tournament.
He said Ghana hired coach Kwesi Appiah with a “clear mandate” to lead the Black Stars win the trophy and end a 37-year drought.
The minister said the ministry met all the demands of the players and the captain Dede Ayew acknowledged they had received the best of preparation for the tournament.
But the team’s performance was roundly criticised as Ghana drew two games – Benin and Cameroun – and won its last group game against Guinea-Bissau to qualify to the 1/16th stage. This is where the team lost out in a penalty shoot-out to Tunisia.
The loss also meant the Black Stars lost out on the minimum amount in the money zone where a quarter-final berth would have earned Ghana $1million.
