Sports Minister Explains How Ghana Will Use FIFA World Cup Earnings

Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has assured Ghanaians that all revenue generated from the country's participation in international sporting competitions, including the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, will be invested directly into sports development through the newly established Ghana Sports Fund (GSF).

The Minister made the clarification in response to concerns raised by Nana Fredua-Agyeman Ofori-Atta regarding the management of funds generated from Ghana's participation in major international sporting events.

In a public statement, Mr. Adams explained that the Mahama administration has introduced a new funding model aimed at ensuring greater transparency and sustainable financing for sports development across the country.

According to the Sports Minister, the Ghana Sports Fund was established under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama to provide a dedicated source of funding for the development of sports, particularly at the grassroots level.

He explained that, unlike previous arrangements, proceeds earned from Ghana's participation in international competitions will no longer be paid into the Consolidated Fund for general government expenditure.

Instead, all such revenues will be channelled directly into the Ghana Sports Fund to finance sporting activities and infrastructure nationwide.

As a government interested in sports development, especially grassroots sports, the government of President John Dramani Mahama has established a Ghana Sports Fund (GSF), and every money we get from participating in any competition, including the ongoing FIFA World Cup, will go into the GSF for sports development."

Mr. Adams stressed that the policy guarantees that every cedi earned from international sporting competitions will be used exclusively to improve sports development in Ghana.

Not even one cedi will go into the Consolidated Fund for general government expenditure."

He said the arrangement will allow Ghanaians to clearly monitor how revenues generated through international sporting participation contribute to improving facilities, athlete development, youth programmes, and grassroots sports.

So henceforth we can see directly what our participation in international sports competitions contributes to sports development."

The Minister also encouraged those seeking clarification on the new funding structure to consult the legal framework establishing the Ghana Sports Fund.

According to him, the provisions are contained in Act 1159, which was passed by Parliament in December 2025 and subsequently assented to by President John Dramani Mahama during the same month.

"It is good you raised this issue, but do read Act 1159 passed by Parliament in December 2025 and assented to by the President in the same month," he stated.

The Ghana Sports Fund forms part of broader government efforts to provide sustainable financing for sports development, strengthen grassroots sports, improve sporting infrastructure, and enhance the welfare of athletes across the country.