Prominent broadcaster and former spokesperson for ex-President Mahama, Ben Dotse Malor, has raised serious concerns about the management of FIFA funds allocated to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for pitch maintenance.
FIFA reportedly provided $260,000 to improve football pitches across Ghana, yet the condition of major stadiums in Kumasi, Accra, Tamale, and Cape Coast remains poor, sparking public outrage.
Malor questioned how the funds were used, particularly as the Baba Yara Stadium faces a potential ban from hosting international matches due to its deteriorated pitch condition.
“FIFA had given the Ghana Football Association more than a quarter of a million dollars for pitch maintenance. Where is this money? So, how did we fail so badly?” he wrote on his page.
In 2020, FIFA granted more than $260,000 to the GFA under the FIFA Forward program, intended to improve 80 grass pitches across the country.
The goal was to ensure year-round maintenance, even during the dry season. These funds were also meant to benefit regional and youth teams, especially women’s football clubs.
However, despite this investment, many of the pitches remain in poor condition, sparking questions about how the money was spent.
Malor’s public query adds to growing public outcry, as Ghanaian football fans and stakeholders demand accountability from the GFA.
This call for transparency comes at a time when the state of the country’s football infrastructure is under scrutiny, and the GFA has yet to fully address concerns over the ineffective utilization of FIFA’s financial support.
On Saturday, the GFA issued a statement on its website explaining that the money was not necessarily meant for fixing pitches, adding that it has used the money to build boreholes to maintain some pitches.