Why Must Ghana Tell Everybody How Much It Spends on Black Stars? — Sannie Daara Questions Budget Demands
'Why is it that Ghana, we must see everything? It’s not everything they spend on that they talk about'
By Roberta Gayode Modin·
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Confederation of African Football (CAF) Media Officer, Ibrahim Sannie Daara has questioned the persistent public demand for the disclosure of government spending on the Black Stars, arguing that excessive scrutiny of football expenditure could hinder Ghana’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey, Daara said many Ghanaians fail to appreciate the level of investment required to compete successfully in modern football.
“Why is it that Ghana, we must see everything? It’s not everything they spend that they talk about,” Daara said.
According to him, countries that consistently perform well at major tournaments invest heavily in preparation, logistics and technical support structures, often without publicly debating every expenditure.
Drawing from his experience at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Daara cited Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals as an example of the level of planning required to succeed.
“Do you know how many planes they brought? One plane was just dedicated to equipment, food and water. They had a backroom staff of more than 60 people,” he said.
He explained that Morocco employed a wide range of specialists, including individual video analysts assigned to players, nutritionists, psychologists and other technical experts.
“One player had one video analyst. The analyst would show him how his direct opponent plays, where he is strong and where he is vulnerable,” Daara stated.
The former Ghana Football Association Communications Director argued that such investments, though often overlooked, can make the difference between success and failure at elite competitions.
“It’s the tiny details. Sometimes it’s food. Sometimes it’s the way you prepare. Sometimes it’s the way you sleep. Sometimes it’s the way you travel,” he said.
Daara contrasted Ghana’s approach with that of some of the world’s leading football nations, recalling how Germany built an entire team base during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
“Germany built a whole village in Brazil just because of football,” he noted.
He suggested that public criticism often arises when football budgets are discussed without proper context, especially in a country facing broader economic challenges.
“People feel that all of the country’s money has been given to footballers just for kicking a ball,” he said.
Daara maintained that if Ghana wants to compete with the best football nations, it must be willing to benchmark itself against them and invest accordingly.
“Look at how the top countries perform. Benchmark with the best and emulate them,” he said.
The CAF official also cautioned against reducing discussions about football expenditure to player bonuses and travel costs, insisting that modern football success depends on comprehensive planning and investment behind the scenes.
His comments come amid recurring public debates over government spending on the Black Stars, particularly during major international tournaments, where calls for transparency are often accompanied by criticism of football-related expenditure.