Sports Ministry clears salary arrears for Black Stars Coaches since 2020

The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has paid all salary arrears owed to Black Stars coaches. This financial obligation had been pending since 2020. The settlement followed an audit led by Minister Kofi Iddie Adams. He ensured full payment to both current and former coaches.

Citi Sports reports that former head coach CK Akonnor received $120,000 in back pay. He served from January 2020 to September 2021, making him the largest beneficiary. His assistant, David Duncan, was paid $40,000. Chris Hughton received $68,904 after being sacked following the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. His assistants, George Boateng and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, were paid $20,833 and $12,500 for outstanding fees.

The current coaching staff has not been paid since October 2024. They are led by Otto Addo since March 2024. They have now received six months' pay up to March 2025. Addo received over $420,000 during this period. His assistants also received payments: Joseph Laumann ($75,000), John Paintsil ($64,864), Fatau Dauda ($19,459), and Francis Bugri Tampuli ($33,000). However, they are still owed salaries for April and May 2025.

Maxwell Konadu received $30,000 in arrears as an assistant coach from September 2021 to January 2022. Although the Ghana Football Association (GFA) contracts the coaches, the government is responsible for their pay. Previously, this responsibility had not been fulfilled in several cases.