Stars officials took $82,500 each at 2014 World Cup
The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) yesterday revealed before the Justice Dzamefe Commission of Inquiry that the seven Black Stars Management Committee members who accompanied the team to the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup received US$82,500 each as appearance fees totalling $577,500.
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The disclosure was made by the ministry’s Chief Accountant, Mr Prosper Apasu, in response to a question by the chairman of the commission, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, during the fourth sitting at the Media Centre of the Accra Stadium.
Appearance fees revelations
“The management took a bulk sum of what was approved by Cabinet to be distributed among the seven members,” Mr Apasu, who was also in Brazil, recalled.
In response to a follow-up question by commissioner Kofi Anokye Owusu Darko, Mr Apasu confirmed that each management member received $82,500 as appearance fees, while the 23 players and 10 technical team members also had $100,000 each.
Despite being furnished with documents by the chief director of the MOYS, Alhaji Abudulai Yakubu, as requested by the chairman at last Thursday’s sitting, the commission stopped short of disclosing the names of the management members and other officials who also received various amounts as honorarium.
Justice Dzamefe’s concern
Justice Dzamefe, however, sought to know the exact role played by the ‘chief drummer’ Joseph Langerbell who also received an undisclosed amount of honorarium as captured in one of the four claim sheets covering the breakdown of monies expended on each of the beneficiaries, dated June 12, 2014 and June 26, 2014, which were tendered in evidence by Mr Abudulai.
Mr Abudulai explained that the drummer had always been a part of the Black Stars backroom staff mainly to entertain the players before and after matches.
Other beneficiaries
But still not convinced with the answer, Justice Dzamefe wondered how a drummer could earn such an amount. He, therefore, asked whether it was not a clear case of somebody creating a job for the drummer.
The chief director also revealed that apart from the official list submitted by the GFA, there are other categories of officials who are normally paid honorarium based on a list from the FA which could give further details.
Two separate budgets
During interrogation by the Senior State Attorney, Mr Jonathan Acquah, Mr Apasu pointed out that the appearance fee was supposed to be paid by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), and not the MOYS as captured in the other budget.
He stressed that the GFA submitted two budgets to the MOYS, one of which was to be funded by the government and the other by FIFA which was responsible for the payment of appearance fees.
He explained that while funds for the MOYS budget were released in time, the other one which was to be pre-financed by the government and refunded later by the GFA delayed.
Cause of delay
Asked why the appearance fees delayed, Mr Abudulai said though it was decided that payment should be made via MasterCard, the MOYS failed to get details of the beneficiaries.
He also explained the GFA letter of recommendation dated June 25, 2014 and which was tendered at last Thursday’s sitting requesting to pay the players’ $17,500 apperance fees balance was actually approved by the former sports minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who directed him and Mr Apasu, both of whom were in Brazil then, to expedite action on it.
On the issue of supporters and ambassadors who were flown to Brazil as part of the Stars’ campaign, Mr Abudulai told the commission he had scanty information on that and, therefore, referred the commissioners to the former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah and the Planning Committee and Project Director, Mr Fred Darko, for the necessary details.
Around 11:30a.m the chairman adjourned sitting to Monday due to the funeral rites of the late statesman, Paul Victor (P.V.) Obeng.
