President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will not use public funds to sponsor Ghanaian supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pointing to the high financial burden and guidance from the Dzamepe Report.
Addressing the Ghana World Cup fundraising campaign at the Kempinski Hotel on Friday, the president explained that even supporting a small group of fans would require significant expenditure.
“In line with the Dzamepe Report, the government does not intend to allocate public funds to fly supporters to the World Cup,” Mahama stated.
He added that the logistics involved in transporting and accommodating a limited number of fans would be costly.
“The cost of flying and hosting even 200 supporters is very high. Estimates suggest it would be close to $2 million,” he noted.
Mahama emphasized that while supporters play a vital role in motivating the team, government spending must be prioritised toward more urgent national needs, including job creation and development projects.
“We all want to see our fans in the stands, but we must be responsible in how we utilize public resources,” he said.
The decision means fans who wish to attend the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will need to depend on private sponsorships or personal arrangements.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, with the Black Stars set to begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto.
The fundraising initiative continues to receive contributions from corporate organizations and individuals, aimed at supporting the Ghana Football Association in its preparations for the tournament.
