News
Dickson Kyere Duah, Kwadwo Poku clash over government funding for World Cup participation
A disagreement has emerged between Member of Parliament for Berekum West, Dickson Kyere-Duah, and energy consultant Kwadwo Poku over government funding for Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The debate centred on government’s decision to budget about 13 million dollars to support the national team, even though FIFA is expected to provide an appearance fee of about 10.5 million dollars if Ghana qualifies for the tournament.
During the discussion on Joys news , Mr Poku questioned why the government should allocate such an amount when FIFA already provides funds to participating countries.
According to him, the appearance fee alone should help cover some of the country’s expenses.
He argued that if FIFA is giving Ghana 10.5 million dollars simply for qualifying for the tournament, it raises questions about the need for the government to appropriate additional funds.
Mr Kyere Duah, however, explained that the government’s allocation was part of advance planning captured in the national budget even before the final qualification results were known.
He noted that the budget for the tournament period was prepared in November 2025, when it was not certain that Ghana would qualify.
He stressed that budgeting does not automatically mean the entire amount will be spent.
According to him, the funds are meant to prepare the team from the start of the competition period until the end of the tournament.
Mr Kyere Duah explained that if the team exits the tournament early, the full amount allocated in the budget will not be used.
Mr Poku maintained that FIFA already provides financial support to teams for participating in the World Cup and insisted that the government must clearly justify additional spending.
The discussion extended to the role of the Ghana Football Association in managing the national teams.
Mr Poku described the association as a private institution and argued that FIFA also operates as a private body that does not allow government interference.
He explained that FIFA provides funds to teams to support their preparation and participation in the tournament.
Mr Kyere Duah, however, maintained that national teams represent the country and require government support to operate effectively.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghanaian music icon, Akwasi Poku Addae, known in Showbiz circles as Kwaisey Pee has honoured his promise to children suffering from cancer.
Ahead of his 25th anniversary event held at the D’ Icon Event Centre at East Legon last year, he made a promise to donate some funds to children suffering from cancer.
True to his word, the musician has recently made a donation of GHC50,000 to the Paediatric Oncology Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He told the Ghanaian Times that children are so dear to him, and was optimistic the support would go a long way too impact lives.
The music dynamo also promised that the gesture will not be the last,” it will be a continuous feature from me.”
He also called on Ghanaians home and abroad to lend a helping hand to children suffering from cancer.
According to him, children with cancer have many needs, and a helping hands will go a long way ease the suffering.
“Cancer treatment is very expensive, and leaving that to parents of the children alone, will be a huge burden, with support from you and myself, we can make some changes in other people’s lives,” he concluded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Veteran Ghanaian music producer and sound engineer, Fred Kyei Mensah, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to settle an outstanding payment he claims the state owes him.
Speaking during a discussion on Joy prime, Mr Kyei Mensah explained that he has been waiting for about eight to nine years to receive the payment.
He noted that despite his political neutrality in the creative industry, he has supported national initiatives through his work.
According to him, he composed a jingle used during the national Population and Housing Census in Ghana, which helped encourage many people to take part in the exercise.
Mr Kyei Mensah explained that the information contained in the jingle motivated citizens to be counted, and the data gathered from the exercise has since been used by the government for national planning.
He therefore appealed to the President to intervene and ensure that the outstanding amount of 3,500 Ghana cedis owed to him is paid.
“I have been selling good things about you in the creative industry. I am also a veteran, so please do something for me. The country owes me 3,500 and I have the documents to prove it,” he stated.
Mr Kyei Mensah used the opportunity to highlight the historical importance of his recording facility, Fredyma Studios.
According to him, the first room rented by Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, when he arrived in Accra in the late 1940s was located at the studio.
He suggested that the government could acquire the building and convert it into a heritage site or attraction centre to preserve its historical value.
Mr Kyei Mensah added that the studio has played an important role in Ghana’s music industry, with many successful musicians passing through it over the years.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News1 week agoFinance Minister outlines new gold policies to boost reserves and curb smuggling
- News1 week ago
Sam George launches the 2026 Meteorological Awareness Month; presents the 2026 seasonal forecast for southern Ghana
- Hot!1 week ago
Breaking: Footballer who killed two children in Abesim handed lifetime sentence
