For the avoidance of doubt, Government does not owe the Black Queens any outstanding per diem,” the statement said, adding that players and eligible officials received per diems in advance on 29 July 2026, covering the period from 26 July to 7 August 2026.
The Ministry noted these payments were duly acknowledged by recipients through signed allowance sheets.
Following the team’s exit at the quarter-final stage and their continued stay in Morocco for the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-in qualification pathway, the Ministry said a further per diem payment was made on 11 August 2026, covering the additional period from 8 to 14 August 2026.
Key Points From the Ministry’s Statement
- Per diems: Paid in advance on 29 July (26 Jul–7 Aug) and again on 11 Aug (8–14 Aug); no outstanding obligation as of 12 August.
- Winning bonus: One bonus earned, for the group-stage victory over Cape Verde, and is being processed following statutory deductions.
- Qualification bonus dispute: No government approval was given for winning bonuses tied to the WAFCON qualifying matches against Egypt, the GFA was informed of this position.
- Player welfare: Team supported by a Team Manager, Team Administrator, two Physiotherapists, a Medical Doctor, a Nurse, a Dietician, a Chef, two Management Team members and technical officials, with a Ministry Accountant facilitating approved additional payments.
On the matter of winning bonuses, the Ministry explained that the Black Queens recorded one victory during the group stage, against Cape Verde, and therefore earned one winning bonus from that phase of the tournament.
It noted that winning bonuses are processed differently from per diems, being paid directly into the bank accounts of players and eligible officials after documentation, statutory deductions and other public financial processes are completed, and that the bonus earned from the Cape Verde win was being processed accordingly.
The Ministry also addressed reports of an alleged outstanding WAFCON qualification bonus, including claims relating to Ghana’s qualifying matches against Egypt.
It clarified that, under government’s current sports financing framework, qualification for WAFCON through the home-and-away qualifying round does not attract a separate qualification bonus, though government meets approved costs associated with the national team’s participation in the qualification process, including per diems and other approved operational expenses.
There was no Government approval for the payment of winning bonuses for the WAFCON qualifying matches against Egypt, and this position was communicated to the Ghana Football Association.”Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Press Statement
The Ministry reaffirmed government’s commitment to the Black Queens and to the development of women’s football in Ghana, stating that it would continue to provide support within the approved framework to enable the country’s female national teams to compete effectively.
It described the team’s upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification play-in against Côte d’Ivoire as an immediate national priority, and called for all concerns relating to financial entitlements and player welfare to be addressed accurately and transparently through appropriate institutional channels.
Government remains firmly behind the Black Queens. We wish the team the very best as they continue their campaign to secure a place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” the statement concluded.