- CAF Media Officer Ibrahim Saanie Daara has criticised Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, for releasing the Black Stars’ budget just two days before their World Cup qualifier against Chad.
- The move, he says, disrupted team focus and drew backlash from senior figures within the Minister’s own party.
- The controversy has sparked debate over transparency, timing, and political interference in national football affairs.
CAF Media Officer Ibrahim Saanie Daara has taken aim at Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, over what he describes as a poorly timed and politically charged budget disclosure ahead of the Black Stars’ World Cup qualifier against Chad.
Speaking on Sporty FM on September 8, Saanie Daara said the decision to publish the team’s budget just 48 hours before kickoff was disruptive and unnecessary. He revealed that several senior members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) had privately expressed disappointment over the Minister’s conduct.
According to Saanie, Black Stars budgets are submitted weeks in advance, giving the Minister ample time to address any concerns or make public disclosures. Instead, the timing of the announcement—just days before a crucial match—sparked controversy and, in his view, undermined team morale.
The Black Stars drew 1-1 with Chad on September 4 in N’Djamena, a result that many fans viewed as underwhelming. Critics have since pointed to off-field distractions, including the budget saga, as contributing factors.
Saanie Daara urged the Minister to avoid populist tactics and focus on creating a stable environment for the team. He argued that even if budget cuts were necessary, they should have been communicated well in advance—not on the eve of a high-stakes fixture.
The fallout has reignited conversations about the role of political figures in sports administration and the need for better coordination between government and football authorities. With Ghana still leading Group I in the qualifiers, attention now shifts to the next match against Mali, where unity and focus will be critical.
