The Black Queens of Ghana have issued a distress call to the people of Ghana and President John Dramani Mahama, pleading for urgent intervention after reportedly being left stranded in Morocco without support from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) or the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The team, currently in Morocco for pre-tournament camping ahead of the 15th edition of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), say they have been without any official leadership presence since their departure from Ghana over a month ago. According to the players, only head coach Nora Häuptle and her technical staff have been with them throughout the preparation period.
Gifty Oware-Mensah, the team’s designated leader and Chairperson of the Black Queens Management Committee, did not travel with the squad. Her absence comes amid ongoing accusations of corruption, raising further questions about the current state of leadership and accountability within the women’s national team setup.
With just four days to the start of the competition, the Queens say they have yet to receive any financial briefing or assurance from the GFA or the Ministry of Sports. Per diems have reportedly not been paid for the past three weeks.
Speaking anonymously to the press, one of the players said:
“We are owed three weeks of per diem, and there has not been any communication from the GFA with just four days left before the tournament begins.”
When asked whether the players intend to boycott the competition, the player clarified that while the situation is frustrating, the team remains committed to competing.
“We won’t boycott, but we are appealing to the Ghana FA and the Government to pay our per diem before our first match. We need to feel valued and supported.”
The players’ plea has sparked widespread concern among stakeholders, fans, and sports observers, especially given Ghana’s ambition to make a strong impact at this year’s tournament.
The 2024 WAFCON, hosted in Morocco, kicks off in a few days, and the Black Queens are expected to be one of the continent’s top contenders. However, this crisis threatens to overshadow their preparations and morale ahead of their opening fixture.
There has been no official response yet from the GFA or the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding the team’s claims.
