Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has dismissed reports suggesting that Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has gone without pay for nine months, explaining that the government owes him only 50 percent of his salary, not the full amount.
Recent claims had alleged that the Black Stars coach had not received his wages for several months. However, Kofi Adams clarified that while there are some outstanding payments involving national team coaches, the situation is being addressed through a more organised payment system.
He explained that in the past, some coaches, especially those handling the women’s national teams, were paid through sponsorship funds linked to the Ghana Football Association. That arrangement has since changed, with the government now taking full responsibility for all coaching salaries.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Finance has approved the necessary payments, noting that the contracts allow salaries to be paid in arrears.
Kofi Adams further explained that Otto Addo’s contract states that 50 percent of his yearly salary is paid in advance at the start of the year. This means the remaining 50 percent is what becomes due over time.
He said the Black Stars coach received half of his annual salary earlier in the year, covering the first few months. Payments resumed after March, following a public announcement on the settlement of arrears owed to national team coaches.
As a result, Adams stressed that Otto Addo is not owed his full salary, but only half of the payments for the months after March, since the other half had already been paid upfront.
The minister assured that efforts are ongoing to ensure a clear and reliable payment structure for all national team coaches going forward.
