The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has refuted claims that the government owes outstanding per diems and qualification bonuses to players of the senior national women’s football team, the Black Queens.
In a press statement addressing recent concerns raised by the team regarding financial entitlements, welfare, and state support during the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, the Ministry stated that all required daily allowances have been fully settled.
According to the Ministry, players and eligible officials received their per diems in advance on 29 July 2026 for the period covering 26 July to 7 August 2026. Following the team’s quarter-final exit and their continued stay in Morocco for the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-in qualification pathway, a further payment was disbursed on 11 August 2026 to cover up to 14 August 2026.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Government does not owe the Black Queens any outstanding per diem. Copies of the signed allowance sheets are attached to this statement in the interest of transparency and to place the facts on record,” the statement signed by Head of PR and Communications, Bagbara Tanko, read.
Addressing the issue of winning bonuses, the Ministry confirmed that the team earned one bonus for their group stage victory against Cape Verde. The statement explained that winning bonuses are processed separately from per diems and are credited directly into bank accounts after mandatory documentation and statutory deductions are completed, with processing currently underway.
However, the Ministry dismissed assertions regarding unpaid qualification bonuses for the home-and-away qualifying round against Egypt, clarifying that the current national sports financing framework does not provide separate qualification bonuses for such stages.
“There was no Government approval for the payment of winning bonuses for the WAFCON qualifying matches against Egypt, and this position was communicated to the Ghana Football Association. It is therefore inaccurate to characterise a payment which was neither approved nor established as an entitlement as an outstanding Government obligation,” the statement added.
On player welfare and health, the Ministry highlighted that a full support contingent—comprising a team manager, administrator, medical doctor, nurse, dietician, chef, two physiotherapists, and technical personnel—is attached to the squad to handle operational, nutritional, and medical needs.
The Ministry urged all stakeholders to address financial and welfare matters transparently through designated institutional channels as the Black Queens prepare for their FIFA Women’s World Cup play-in tie against Côte d’Ivoire.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana