Kurt Okraku dismiss reports Ministry of Finance gave $800k for Brazil, Nicaragua friendlies
President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku has dismissed reports the Ghana Football Association (GFA) received $800,000 from the Ministry of Finance to cover expenditure for Black Stars’ two international friendly matches in September.
This was reported by sports journalist Collins Atta Poku, who in a tweet said three Majority Members of Parliament, who are part of the 80, seeking the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister have made claims the said amount has been transferred to the GFA.
“Got in touch with 3 Majority MPs who told me they were dismayed to find out the Finance Minister paid almost $800,000 to the Ghana Football Association just last week, in spite of all the challenges we face. The money covers their expenditure in the Brazil and Nicaragua games,” Atta Poku tweeted on Tuesday October 25.
“I have just come out of court to read that the Ministry of Finance gave the Ghana FA USD 800,000 to honour two friendly games against Brazil and Nicaragua. Fact check!!! This is false. Kindly ignore,” Okraku also tweeted this strong worded words via his official Twitter handle.
The GFA also released a statement in support of their president’s denial of the reports as false and a plan to pitch the Association against the general public.
The Black Stars lost 3-0 to Brazil after a disappointing first half performance and won 1-0 against Nicaragua thanks to a brilliant first-half strike by Fatawu Issahaku.
Ghana’s final World Cup preparations will be against Switzerland on November 17 as they work towards their first group game against Portugal on November 24.
After Portugal, the Black Stars will play South Korea and then Uruguay to finish their group stage campaign with eyes set on securing qualification to the round of 16.