StarTimes Begins Settlement of Outstanding $800k Debt to GFA

StarTimes Begins Payment of Outstanding $800,000 Debt to GFA

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Jul 10, 2025

StarTimes Ghana has begun the process of settling the outstanding balance of over $800,000 owed to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), according to the company’s Public Relations Officer, Eli Kondoh.

The Chinese pay-TV broadcaster had entered into a five-year broadcast agreement worth $5.25 million with the GFA in 2020 to televise the Ghana Premier League. However, with the expiration of the deal, the broadcast rights for the 2024/25 season were awarded to AFA TV and Globe TV.

Speaking to Joy Sports, Kondoh confirmed that a portion of the outstanding debt has already been paid in recent weeks, reaffirming the company’s ongoing commitment to Ghanaian football.

“If you’re owing somebody in excess of five million dollars and you pay as much, and it’s left with a little over eight hundred thousand dollars, it means that a lot of money has gone into the whole project,” Kondoh stated. “Just a few weeks ago, some amount of that outstanding balance has already been paid. So it means that StarTimes remains committed to the project of building Ghana football.”

While renewal negotiations between StarTimes and the GFA were officially abandoned in May 2025 due to the unsettled debt, the broadcaster has expressed openness to returning in a different capacity.

“It might not be specifically the Ghana Premier League—or maybe just an aspect of the league—but there are talks ongoing. It could be production,” Kondoh disclosed. “So the talks are still in progress, and once they are finalised, I’m sure you’ll get hold of it, and then we can communicate to the viewers exactly the details of the new terms that might come up.”

The GFA had previously announced the termination of renewal discussions with StarTimes, citing the broadcaster’s failure to fully honour the financial terms of the initial contract. This prompted a shift in the association’s broadcast strategy.

However, the recent efforts by StarTimes to clear the remaining debt and maintain dialogue with the GFA suggest that a renewed partnership—perhaps in a redefined role—remains on the table.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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