The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has issued a statement clarifying matters relating to the Black Queens, Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, stating that Government does not owe the players any outstanding per diem as at August 12, 2026.
The Ministry’s Press Statement, signed by the Head of Public Relations and Communications, Mr Bagbara Tanko, for the Minister, followed concerns attributed to players of the team regarding outstanding bonuses, per diems, welfare and Government’s support during the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
“The Ministry respects the right of our national team players to raise concerns regarding their welfare and entitlements. However, it is equally important that the public is provided with the facts regarding Government’s financial commitments to the team,” the statement said, adding, “For the avoidance of doubt, Government does not owe the Black Queens any outstanding per diem.”
According to the Ministry, players and eligible officials received per diems in advance on July 29, 2026, covering the period from July 26 to August 7, 2026, spanning the team’s participation through the group stage and the period thereafter. Following the team’s exit at the quarter-final stage and their continued stay in Morocco for the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-in qualification pathway, Government made a further per diem payment on August 11, 2026, covering the additional period from August 8 to 14, 2026.
The Ministry said the payments were duly acknowledged by the recipients through signed allowance sheets, copies of which were attached to the statement “in the interest of transparency and to place the facts on record.”
On Bonuses
Touching on winning bonuses, the statement noted that the Black Queens recorded one victory during the group stage, against Cape Verde, and therefore earned one winning bonus. It explained that winning bonuses are processed differently from per diems, as they are paid directly into the bank accounts of players and eligible officials after the required documentation, statutory deductions and other public financial processes have been completed, adding that the bonus earned from the Cape Verde victory is being processed accordingly.
On an alleged outstanding WAFCON qualification bonus, including claims relating to the qualifying matches against Egypt, the Ministry clarified that under Government’s current sports financing framework, qualification through the home-and-away qualifying round does not attract a separate qualification bonus. It said, however, that Government meets the approved costs associated with the national team’s participation in the qualification process, including per diems and other approved operational expenses.
The Ministry stressed that there was no Government approval for the payment of winning bonuses for the WAFCON qualifying matches against Egypt, and that this position had been communicated to the Ghana Football Association. It described as inaccurate any characterisation of a payment that was neither approved nor established as an entitlement, as an outstanding Government obligation.
Player Welfare
On concerns about player welfare, health and mental well-being, the Ministry said the Black Queens are currently supported by a comprehensive team structure comprising a Team Manager, a Team Administrator, two Physiotherapists, a Medical Doctor, a Nurse, a Dietician, a Chef, two Management Team members and additional technical officials, all providing medical, nutritional, administrative and general welfare support throughout the tournament.
It added that the Ministry’s Accountant attached to the team has also facilitated approved payments for needs arising outside the regular operational arrangements, and that any legitimate additional welfare need brought to the attention of team management is promptly addressed.
World Cup Qualification Ahead
The Ministry noted that the Black Queens are preparing for an important FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification play-in against Côte d’Ivoire, and said the immediate national priority should be to provide the team with the environment, encouragement and support required to pursue qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Brazil 2027.
It called on all concerns relating to financial entitlements and player welfare to be addressed accurately and transparently, through the appropriate institutional channels.
“Government remains firmly behind the Black Queens. We wish the team the very best as they continue their campaign to secure a place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” the statement concluded.
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