Sports Minister, Isaac Asiamah, has stressed that the sponsorship support from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) will not be suspended as is being hinted at by certain personalities.
The entity became the national team’s sponsor in 2013 and has supported the team with an amount of USD 3 million yearly.
Part of the amount has been used to pay the salaries of the Black Stars since then.
However, in recent weeks, Majority Leader, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, has stated that the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament has decided to urge the corporation to end their sponsorship of the Black Stars and use their funds for other ventures.
Asiamah was speaking at his office on Monday when Kwesi Appiah and high-ranking officials of the Ghana FA visited him.
He said that the deal was still on but transparency on the part of the Sports Ministry and the Ghana Football Association would be the watchword.
“I speak as the Minister for Youth and Sports we should have uniformity in these discussions and I represent the President of Ghana.
The GNPC deal will continue. The support for the national team will continue. However, this time, we will emphasise on greater transparency and accountability in how the funds are used.
We have to ensure proper oversight of the funds so the money will now be channeled through the Sports Ministry. It will no longer go through the Ghana FA. This will enable the Minister to report directly to Parliament which happens to be the people’s representative.”
Following the Sports Minister’s declaration, it is expected that the payment of the salary of new Black Stars head coach, Kwesi Appiah, will not be a challenge for the Ministry or the Ghana FA.
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Source: BBC