Ghana Not Fully Ready for World Cup Yet – Sports Minister Kofi Adams

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has stated that Ghana is not yet 100% prepared for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, but assured that structures are being put in place to ensure the country is ready when it matters most.

Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View on Channel One TV, the Minister explained that government preparations are progressing steadily, particularly in terms of financial commitments.

“I can’t say we are 100% ready, but we have set systems in place that we will be ready when we have to be ready. Financially, the government has committed some budgetary funds for the team as we saw in the 2026 budget,” he said.

Mr. Adams emphasized that preparations for the tournament go beyond the performance of the Ghana national football team on the pitch, noting that broader national promotional activities are also part of the strategy.

“World Cup goes beyond the team, just the Black Stars playing. There are a number of things that you have to do. There are activations you want to undertake because you also want to promote the country beyond just the 90 minutes that they will play,” he stated. 

He further revealed that government has allocated a total of $30 million for Ghana’s World Cup campaign, covering both team logistics and promotional initiatives aimed at projecting the country internationally.

According to him, about $16 million has been specifically earmarked to support the team’s participation during the tournament, including accommodation, feeding, training, per diems, and bonuses.

“There is an appropriation in the World Cup that is about $16 million which the team can utilise during the World Cup, if we are staying from group to the finals. Their feeding, training, hotel accommodation, per diems, bonuses — it is part of the tradition that we have,” he explained.

The Minister reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring adequate preparation for the Black Stars while leveraging the global platform of the World Cup to promote Ghana’s image and opportunities to the world.