The Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has confirmed that the association owes Black Stars coach Otto Addo four months of unpaid salary. Twum disclosed this in an interview with a local station in Accra – Ghana, shedding light on the challenges faced by the GFA in securing funds from the government to settle outstanding payments.
“It is true that we owe Otto Addo,” Twum admitted. “The last time I checked with the Sports Ministry, there were salaries in arrears, which, unfortunately, is not new. We owe Otto Addo four months’ salary arrears. We have had a series of meetings with the Sports Ministry about the outstanding payment, and Otto Addo himself is aware of how difficult it is to get the monies from the government, but we are still working on it.”
Twum attributed the delay in payment to bureaucratic challenges and funding shortages within the Sports Ministry, the body responsible for disbursing funds for national football programs. He emphasized that the GFA has been proactive in engaging with the ministry to resolve the issue, but the process has proven to be slower than anticipated.
“The Sports Ministry is aware of the situation and the urgency it requires,” Twum said. “We continue to have constructive discussions with them to ensure that Otto Addo receives what he is owed. It is not ideal, but we are doing everything within our power to resolve it.”
Otto Addo, who served as the head coach of the Black Stars, stepped down from his role after Ghana’s group-stage exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Despite the early elimination, Addo’s tenure included notable achievements, such as guiding Ghana to World Cup qualification with a crucial playoff victory over Nigeria. His leadership and tactical expertise earned him respect among fans and players alike which resulted in him been re-appointed as the head coach of the black stars.
The delay in settling his salary has raised concerns about the GFA’s ability to retain top talent and attract experienced coaches. While Twum expressed gratitude for Addo’s understanding and patience, he acknowledged that such situations could damage the GFA’s reputation.
“Otto Addo has been very professional and understanding throughout this period. However, we must ensure that these delays do not become a recurring issue, as it could impact our ability to work with world-class professionals in the future,” Twum said.
The revelation has sparked conversations among football stakeholders and fans about the need for greater financial transparency and efficiency in the management of sports funds. Many have called on the government and the GFA to prioritize the welfare of coaches and players to avoid similar situations in the future.
As the GFA continues to negotiate with the Sports Ministry, Twum assured the public that the association remains committed to fulfilling its obligations. He also reiterated the importance of learning from this experience to prevent such challenges in the future.