The dispute over outstanding financial entitlements involving Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, the Black Queens, has intensified, with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation rejecting claims by the players that government owes them unpaid per diems and bonuses.
The Ministry insists that all approved per diem payments due to the players and eligible officials have been settled, while the Black Queens maintain that outstanding financial obligations remain and have raised broader concerns about welfare, professional support and the conditions under which they represented Ghana at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The conflicting positions have triggered renewed questions about the management of Ghana’s national teams and the transparency of financial arrangements for athletes representing the country.
Ministry: No outstanding per diems
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Ministry said government had fulfilled its approved per diem obligations to the Black Queens.
According to the Ministry, players and eligible officials were paid their per diems in advance on July 29, covering the period from July 26 to August 7.
It said following Ghana’s quarter-final elimination from the WAFCON and the team’s continued stay in Morocco to participate in the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-in qualification pathway, an additional payment was made on August 11 to cover the extended period.
“Accordingly, as of 12 August 2026, government has no outstanding per diem obligation to the Black Queens,” the Ministry stated.
The clarification directly contradicts concerns raised by members of the team, who have called for outstanding financial obligations to be settled and expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the support provided during their WAFCON campaign.
Winning bonus still being processed
The Ministry also sought to distinguish between per diems and winning bonuses, explaining that the Black Queens earned a winning bonus for their victory over Cape Verde during the WAFCON group stage.
That payment, it said, is currently being processed in accordance with established government financial procedures.
On another alleged outstanding WAFCON qualification bonus, however, the Ministry said there was no such approved entitlement under the current sports financing framework.
It explained that the framework does not provide for a separate bonus for qualification through the home-and-away round.
The Ministry further stated that no winning bonuses were approved for Ghana’s qualifying matches against Egypt and that the Ghana Football Association had been informed of that position.
The players, however, have painted a different picture, accusing government of neglect and inadequate professional support during their WAFCON campaign.
In a statement issued ahead of their crucial FIFA Women’s World Cup play-in match against Côte d’Ivoire, the Black Queens demanded payment of outstanding bonuses and per diems and called for improved treatment and professional conditions during future national team assignments.
The players said their concerns were not intended to create conflict or disrespect the authorities but were aimed at securing “transparency, accountability, fairness and respect.”
They also expressed disappointment with the level of official presence and support during their campaign, noting that the Sports Minister and the President were present only at their first official training session.
The players nevertheless praised their technical team for supporting them throughout the tournament and urged the relevant authorities to engage them to resolve the issues.
The Black Queens also called for better management, mental health assistance and improved general welfare support for national team players.
Quarter-final exit adds pressure
The dispute comes after Ghana’s campaign ended at the WAFCON quarter-final stage following a 2-1 defeat to Malawi.
The defeat ended the Black Queens’ hopes of securing an automatic qualification place for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ghana must now navigate the play-in route, with Côte d’Ivoire standing between the team and continued hopes of qualifying for the global tournament.
The Ministry has consequently urged all stakeholders to put the financial dispute aside and focus on supporting the team in its qualification campaign.
It said government remained firmly behind the Black Queens and was committed to addressing legitimate welfare concerns.
