Did Ghana lose close to $2m at the 2017 AFCON in Gabon?

fiifi anaman

February 10, 2017 1:19 PM

How much money did the Ghanaian taxpayer lose as part of the Black Stars' 'failure' at this year's Africa Cup of Nations? Pulse Sports analyses.

Per the budget figures available in the public domain, Ghanas participation at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations definitely saw the country making some degree of financial loss.

But the question remains: How much?

The Black Stars failed to win the trophy, falling 2-0 to eventual winners Cameroon in the semi-final and losing 1-0 to Burkina Faso in the third-place playoff to finish a disappointing fourth.

READ MORE: AFCON 2017

The team, by virtue of their position, earned $1.5 million from CAF, according to the new prize money structure announced by Africa football's governing body last November following the sponsorship deal with French oil company Total.

Before the tournament, former Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye confirmed that his ministry had approved a budget of $3.4 million for the team's campaign in Gabon.

"The Ghana Football Association presented a budget for the AFCON and it was $5.4 million but we have slashed it," Vanderpuye said.

"We have now approved a budget of $3.4 million for the tournament."

READ MOREl AFCON 2015 Budget

Per the expenditure and earning, the Ghana team - which spent 11 days in the United Arab Emirates in preparation for the tournament - have made a loss of about $1.9 million.

But there could be a twist to this.

Incoming Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah claimed at his vetting before Parliament's Appointments Committee on Tuesday that he had documents that said the country actually made a budget of $4.4 million for the 2017 AFCON.

"On the 10th of January, this (budget) was brought to the transitional team," he claimed. "These figures came from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This was prepared by the previous government."

READ MORE: Ministerial Vetting

He however added that the incumbent government intervened and made a "slash" of about 50%.

"The bonus structure alone (from the initial budget) was about $3.1 million and we saved about about $1.5 million," he said.

If the new Minister's claims are true, then by saving $1.5 million of $4.4 million, the Black Stars ended up spending about $2.9 million for the 2017 AFCON.

This would mean that the team made a loss of $1.4 million, given that they received $1.5 million for their performance from CAF.

READ MORE:Fact Checking

Nii Lante Vanderpuye has meanwhile accused his successor of having lied under oath during his vetting, insisting that the budget of $3.4m that he claimed to have approved still stands, and not the $4.4 million mentioned.

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