Ato Forson Says Black Stars World Cup Expenses Will Be Reimbursed
Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Ghana’s Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam in the Central Region, has confirmed that money spent on Black Stars at the World Cup will be reimbursed.
Ato Forson, a Fiscal Economist and Chartered Accountant, revealed during the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, that the government coughed up GHS 58 million to aid the team’s preparations for the global tournament.
Mr. Forson stated, “Mr. Speaker. To support Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an amount of GHS 58 million has been paid.”
However, the government’s economic management strategies have been credited with restoring stability and improving key economic indicators, providing the country with a stronger foundation for long-term growth.
During an interview with Citi FM’s Bernard Avle, Ato Forson revealed that money will be paid once FIFA settles the Black Stars’ World Cup appearance fee.
“Before FIFA gave them the money, they needed to spend. They needed to prepare and go for the World Cup before FIFA’s money. So, the government needed to help out. I went to parliament and allocated GHS 150 million for the whole campaign, assuming that the national team was going all the way to the finals,” Ato Forson said on Citi FM.
The Black Stars did not meet the expectations of Ghana’s finance minister, Ato Forson; rather, their South American opponent, the Coffee Growers of Colombia, eliminated them at the Round of 32 of the tournament.
“We gave them GHS 58 million…I’ll go and collect my money,” the finance minister stated.
