The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) has clarified payments made to former coach of the Black Stars, Charles Kwablah Akonnor, and commitment towards payment of arrears due him for his service with the national team.
A statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the ministry, explained that the former Black Stars trainer has so far been paid an amount of $508,108.12 after his contract with the national team was terminated in 2021.
MoYS’ response was in reaction to reports attributed to Mr Akonnor, claiming that an amount of $100,000 paid to him as captured by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, at the Minister’s Press Briefing last week was inaccurate.
“I did not received that kind of money the minister mentioned. I do not want to put out how much they paid me but it was not $100,000 as the minister said,” he said.
But according to the MoYS statement, the last payment of $30,000 was made on July 27 with the transfer affected on Monday, July 31, 2023.
The arrears to be paid to the coach according to the statement, now stood at $220,000.
The statement insisted that they were paid $100,000 each and efforts would be made to pay the rest of the arrears in due course.
Giving a breakdown of payments made, the statement said, “Upon the termination of Coach Akonnor’s contract, he was paid an amount of GH¢318,378.41 equivalent to $54,054.06 at a rate of 5.89 on October 22, 2022.”
“On February 10, 2022 he received an amount of GH¢335, 675.71 equivalent to $54,054.06 at a rate of 6.21,” it added.
“On January 12, 2023, an amount of GH¢860,000.00 equivalent to $100,000 was disbursed at a rate of 8.60,”it stressed.
It added, “Unfortunately, due to constraints of funds, there have been some delays in the payment schedule and we apologise for any inconvenience caused,” it stated.
“The Ministry therefore acknowledges the arrears of $220,000 to be paid to Mr Akonnor. We are working diligently to source funds to settle the outstanding payments.
“The Ministry remains committed to supporting our sports personalities and coaches, and will continue to ensure transparency and fairness in all our dealings with them, “it added.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
