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Government denies owing Black Queens outstanding per diems
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The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has denied claims that the government owes the Black Queens outstanding per diems during their participation in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Ministry explained that the players and eligible officials were paid their per diems in advance on July 29, covering the period from July 26 to August 7.
According to the Ministry, the payments were acknowledged by the recipients through signed allowance sheets.
It further stated that after the Black Queens exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage but remained in Morocco for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 play-in qualification, another per diem payment was made on August 11.
The payment, it explained, covered the additional period from August 8 to 14.
The Ministry therefore maintained that, as of August 12, the government had no outstanding per diem obligation to the Black Queens.
On winning bonuses, the Ministry said the team earned one bonus from its group-stage victory over Cape Verde.
It explained that winning bonuses are paid directly into the bank accounts of players and eligible officials after the necessary documentation, statutory deductions and other financial procedures have been completed.
The Ministry said the bonus for the Cape Verde match was therefore being processed.
It rejected claims of an outstanding WAFCON qualification bonus relating to the qualifiers against Egypt.
According to the Ministry, the government’s current sports financing framework does not provide a separate qualification bonus for qualifying for the WAFCON through the home-and-away qualifying round.
It said the government, however, covers approved costs related to the qualification process, including per diems and other operational expenses.
The Ministry further stated that there was no government approval for winning bonuses for the qualifying matches against Egypt, adding that this position had been communicated to the Ghana Football Association.
On concerns about the welfare, health and mental well-being of the players, the Ministry said the team has a support structure that includes a team manager, team administrator, two physiotherapists, a medical doctor, a nurse, a dietician, a chef and other management and technical officials.
It said additional legitimate welfare needs brought to the attention of the team management had also been addressed.
The Ministry urged concerns about financial entitlements and player welfare to be raised through the appropriate channels.
It reaffirmed the government’s support for the Black Queens and women’s football, while encouraging the team to focus on its upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualification play-in against Côte d’Ivoire.
The Ministry said the government remains firmly behind the Black Queens and wishes the team success in its bid to qualify for the World Cup.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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