Sports Ministry approves amended Black Stars Nations Cup budget

The Sports Ministry have amended and approved the Black Stars budget for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The amended version of the proposal sent by the Ghana FA weeks ago has been forwarded to the Presidency for final approval.

Issues of the reported budget proposal hovering above $7m has dominated the Ghanaian airwaves drawing intense debates.

Some argue the amount is just too much for a developing country which still has serious challenges with basic life neccessities such as food, water and shelter.

Other have also made the point the team needs this enormous financial support to help guarantee success for the Black Stars after a 31-year period of pain and anguish of missing out on the ultimate.

The Sports Ministry now says it has forwarded the proposal for final approval after revising the original documentl presented by the Ghana FA.

“We as a government have decided to give the Black Stars all the money it needs to ensure they emewrge successful in South Africa,” Deputy Sports Minister Edward Omane-Boamah said.

“We have made some revisions to the proposal sent to us by the Ghana FA.

“The Ministry after its revision have arrived at a figure which is relatively different from what the Ghana FA presented.

“We analyzed what the state can pay and have arrived at this decision. We also looked at things that happened in the past with respect to this money issue before coming to a conclusion.

“Our findings have been contained in a document which has since been forwarded to the government.

“I can assure all Ghanaians that the Minsitry have carefully scrutinized the budget and have ensured we have value for money before forwarding it for final approval.”

An amount around $5m was approved for the previous edition of the Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The figure budgeted for will take care of the team’s camping schedule in Abu Dhabi, pay bonuses to players for wins and also cater for other logistical needs of the side for the tournament.

Ghana is drawn in Group B which will be based in Port Elizabeth alongside Mali, Niger and DR Congo.