Former Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga insists the Black Stars players donââ¬â¢t play for the nation due to the financial gains to be made.
There is an ongoing debate over the increasing financial demands of the team especially during tournaments.
Sections of the Ghanaian public are of the view that the ââ¬Ëhugeââ¬â¢ bonuses handed the players ought to be reduced to conform to the economic hardships of the time.
Others have also accused the players â⬓ most of the on fat contracts with their clubs â⬓ as being greedy with their only interest to milk the state of its scarce resources for their gains.
But the immediate past Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga who attempted to reduce the budget of the Black Stars due to a similar perception says the players donââ¬â¢t play for money having spent extensive time with the team at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
ââ¬ÅIn the last tournament, I spent a lot of time with the team and I realized that it wasnââ¬â¢t all about money,â⬠the now Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation told TV3ââ¬â¢s Hot Issues.
ââ¬ÅThat is why I was a bit hesitant to discuss issue of the budget when I returned because the boys were concerned about how their money issues were being discussed.
ââ¬ÅThe players are already on big contracts except for a few who donââ¬â¢t earn that much.
ââ¬ÅThey play because of the big stage offered them to display their skills.
ââ¬ÅSo it is not all about money but money is important because of the huge living standards expected of them.
ââ¬ÅPeople expect them to be in big houses and drive big cars and this comes with some level of pressure.ââ¬