2026 World Cup: Kofi Adams clarifies policy on funding supporters at major tournaments

Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has clarified the government’s position on facilitating Ghanaian supporters to attend major international sporting competitions.

Adams recently told Parliament that about $1.26m was spent to procure 2,922 tickets for Ghana’s three group-stage matches at the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

The tickets were distributed among members of the Ghana Supporters Union, Ghanaians living abroad, government officials, the Ghana Students Association and selected Ghana Football Association officials.

However, speaking to JoySports, Adams said the government’s policy did not prevent it from facilitating supporters, but restricted the use of funds specifically appropriated by Parliament for that purpose.

He said the position was based on recommendations from the Justice Dzamefe Commission, which investigated Ghana’s participation at the 2014 World Cup and made recommendations on the use of state resources to support fans at major tournaments.

“We never said in a way that we were not going to send supporters,” Adams said.

“We were not going to use budgeted funds as appropriated by Parliament to ferry supporters because that is what the Justice Dzamefe Commission report said.

“It said if government has to facilitate, government must not use budgeted funds.”

The minister’s comments follow renewed debate over the government’s role in supporting Ghanaian fans at major sporting events after details of the $1.26m World Cup ticket expenditure were disclosed.

The Justice Dzamefe Commission was established to investigate issues surrounding Ghana’s participation at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with its recommendations subsequently accepted by the government.