Kofi Adams Clarifies Govt Position On Funding Ghanaian Supporters

Kofi Adams, the Minister for Sports and Recreation in Ghana, has provided clarification on the government's stance regarding supporting Ghanaian fans attending major sporting events. Adams informed Parliament that approximately $1.26 million was allocated to purchase 2,922 tickets for Ghana's three group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

These tickets were distributed among several groups, including members of the Ghana Supporters Union, Ghanaians living abroad, government officials, the Ghana Students Association, and selected officials from the Ghana Football Association.

However, in an interview with JoySports, Adams elaborated on the government's policies. He emphasized that while the government does not prohibit facilitating supporters' travel, it strictly prohibits using funds specifically designated by Parliament for this purpose. This stance aligns with the recommendations from the Justice Dzamefe Commission, which examined Ghana's involvement in the 2014 World Cup.

The commission reported that government intervention should not involve budgeted funds, as using such funds for this purpose could be deemed improper.

Adams' clarification emerged following the revelation of the $1.26 million expenditure on World Cup tickets, which had generated considerable debate about the government's role in supporting Ghanaian fans at major sporting events. The Justice Dzamefe Commission's recommendations were subsequently adopted by the government, leading to Adams' statement to clarify the situation.