Sports Ministry Settles Salary Arrears for Black Stars Coaches Since 2020
The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has cleared all outstanding salary arrears owed to both current and former coaches of the Black Stars. This settlement addresses a financial obligation that has been pending since 2020, ensuring that coaches receive the compensation they deserve.
The comprehensive settlement was spearheaded by Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, who coordinated a thorough audit to facilitate full payments. Among the beneficiaries is former head coach CK Akonnor, who received $120,000 in back pay, making him the largest recipient of the funds. His assistant, David Duncan, was compensated with $40,000.
Chris Hughton, who was dismissed following Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, was also settled with $68,904 for owed salaries and sign-on fees. His assistants, George Boateng and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, received $20,833 and $12,500 respectively.
The current coaching staff, led by Otto Addo since March 2024, had not been paid since October 2024. As part of this resolution, they have now received payment for six months, totaling over $420,000 for Addo alone. His backroom staff, including assistants Joseph Laumann ($75,000) and John Paintsil ($64,864), as well as goalkeepers’ trainer Fatau Dauda ($19,459) and Team Coordinator Francis Bugri Tampuli ($33,000), were also compensated. However, the current staff are still awaiting payment for salaries due in April and May 2025.
Maxwell Konadu, who served as an assistant under Milovan Rajevac, received $30,000 in arrears from his tenure.
While the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is responsible for contracting the coaches, the government holds the obligation for their remuneration, which has often been unfulfilled. This recent settlement marks a crucial step toward addressing these financial discrepancies and ensuring that the Black Stars coaching staff receives the support they need.
