Assafuah questions alleged $10,000 payments to chef, caterer and security during at 2026 World Cup

Ranking Member of Parliament for the Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has questioned alleged payments made to officials who travelled with Ghana's Black Stars to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His comments follow Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams' appearance before Parliament's Select Committee on Sports, where the minister addressed issues surrounding Ghana's expenditure for the tournament in North America.

Speaking to Asempa FM, Assafuah said he was unconvinced by comparisons drawn with previous arrangements and challenged the basis for payments reportedly made to officials, including purse holders, chefs, caterers and security personnel.

The Old Tafo MP singled out an alleged $10,000 payment to an official described as a purse holder, questioning why someone responsible for handling money for players and officials would receive such an amount.

"You take people to the United States and Canada as part of the officials of the Black Stars. Then you pay that person $10,000," Assafuah said.

He also questioned similar reported payments to other officials, arguing that the figures appeared excessive given the duration of the team's stay at the tournament.

"You pay a chef, 1.2 billion old cedis. You pay a caterer, 1.2 billion old cedis. You pay a security officer, 120,000. For how many days?" he said.

Assafuah's remarks form part of broader concerns raised over spending and accountability relating to officials who accompanied the Black Stars to the World Cup.

Ghana played four matches at the 2026 tournament, reaching the Round of 32 before losing 1-0 to Colombia in Kansas City.

Ranking Member of Parliament for the Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has questioned alleged payments made to officials who travelled with Ghana's Black Stars to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His comments follow Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams' appearance before Parliament's Select Committee on Sports, where the minister addressed issues surrounding Ghana's expenditure for the tournament in North America.

Speaking to Asempa FM, Assafuah said he was unconvinced by comparisons drawn with previous arrangements and challenged the basis for payments reportedly made to officials, including purse holders, chefs, caterers and security personnel.

The Old Tafo MP singled out an alleged $10,000 payment to an official described as a purse holder, questioning why someone responsible for handling money for players and officials would receive such an amount.

"You take people to the United States and Canada as part of the officials of the Black Stars. Then you pay that person $10,000," Assafuah said.

He also questioned similar reported payments to other officials, arguing that the figures appeared excessive given the duration of the team's stay at the tournament.

"You pay a chef, 1.2 billion old cedis. You pay a caterer, 1.2 billion old cedis. You pay a security officer, 120,000. For how many days?" he said.

Assafuah's remarks form part of broader concerns raised over spending and accountability relating to officials who accompanied the Black Stars to the World Cup.

Ghana played four matches at the 2026 tournament, reaching the Round of 32 before losing 1-0 to Colombia in Kansas City.

Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.