By Issah Olegor
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has clarified that newly appointed members of the Black Stars technical team will not receive monthly salaries as part of Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The disclosure comes after the Ghana Football Association expanded the senior national team’s backroom staff with five new additions ahead of the global tournament.
The move forms part of a broader technical restructuring aimed at strengthening the competitiveness on the world stage following recent underwhelming World Cup campaigns.
The new appointees include Alain Ravera and Kim Lars Björkegren as assistant coaches, José Daniel Martínez Alfonso as team analyst, Carlos Lozano Romero as psychologist, and Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi as performance coach.
Speaking to Citi Sports, Kofi Adams explained that although the additional staff will not be placed on fixed monthly salaries, they will be entitled to tournament-related benefits.
“None of them will be on any salary. None of them is on a salary, but they will benefit from some of the allowances that are paid to the team, and these additions are just for the World Cup,” he stated.
According to the Minister, their contractual arrangement is strictly tied to the duration of the World Cup campaign. After the tournament, the agreements will lapse.
While they will not receive full appearance fees, they will qualify for portions of such payments, as well as winning bonuses and per diems applicable to team members during the competition.
Adams further clarified that Björkegren, who currently serves as head coach of the Black Queens, will continue to receive only his existing salary tied to that role and will not earn any additional monthly remuneration for assisting the Black Stars.
“Alain is not on a salary. Kim will not be on a monthly salary other than the salary he takes as the coach of the Black Queens. That’s all he’s going to be taking,” he emphasized.
The announcement reflects ongoing efforts by government and football authorities to manage costs prudently while reinforcing technical capacity.
Financial transparency around national team expenditures has been a sensitive issue in Ghana, particularly after past controversies related to bonuses and administrative costs at previous World Cups.
Ghana, making their fifth appearance at the global showpiece, have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.
After group-stage exits at the 2014 tournament in Brazil and the 2022 edition in Qatar, Ghana’s four-time African champions are under pressure to deliver a stronger showing.
The team will be based at Bryant University in the United States throughout the competition, as preparations intensify both on and off the pitch.
