Black Queens players demand answers from Sports Ministry over unpaid per diems, bonuses

Ghana’s Black Queens players have hit back at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, demanding greater transparency, communication and accountability over concerns surrounding their participation at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the players said they were disappointed that the Ministry had issued a public response to their concerns without first engaging them directly.

The players said they had made repeated attempts to contact the Ministry but received no acknowledgement, clear update or meaningful communication regarding the issues they had raised.

“As the players directly affected, we believe we deserved to be heard and engaged with before a public response was issued,” they stated.

According to the players, going public was not their preferred option but became necessary after their attempts to resolve the matter privately were met with continued silence.

They stressed that their intention was not to create conflict but to seek “basic communication, respect, transparency and accountability” from those responsible for supporting the national women’s team.

• Players question unpaid per diems

One of the major issues raised by the Black Queens is the payment of per diems.

The players said they officially began their camp on July 11 and questioned why their per diems were not paid from the beginning of the camp.

They noted that the Ministry had referred to payments made from July 26, but argued that their official duties began on July 11.

“We believe this period should also be accounted for and clarified,” the players said.

• Qualification bonus controversy

The players also challenged the Ministry’s position on qualification bonuses, saying they were surprised by the claim that there was no qualification bonus under the current framework.

They pointed out that the same Minister and Ministry had paid them a qualification bonus the previous year.

The players further recalled an incident on July 28 when the Sports Minister visited their training session and informed them that an accountant would bring their qualification bonuses for the Egypt matches.

However, according to the players, only $700 was brought and subsequently shared by the Minister on social media.

They said the amount did not correspond with the qualification bonus that had been communicated to them, prompting them to call for clarity and consistency regarding the Ministry’s commitments.

• Black Queens demand better support

The players also rejected the suggestion that they were seeking special treatment, insisting that their demands were for improved treatment and proper support.

“We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for better treatment,” they said.

The Black Queens emphasised that they represent Ghana with pride and deserve to be treated with fairness and respect.

They also posed a direct question to the Ministry over funding, asking when the first dedicated budget was allocated specifically to the Black Queens.

The players said they work hard and make significant sacrifices to represent the country and therefore expect proper support from the authorities responsible for their welfare.

The statement comes on the same day Ghana is scheduled to face Côte d’Ivoire in a WAFCON play-in match, with the Black Queens seeking to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive.

The players ended their statement by wishing themselves the best of luck ahead of the crucial encounter with Côte d’Ivoire.