The Ministry of Sports and Recreation says government has no outstanding per diem payments to the Black Queens following concerns raised by players about their financial entitlements and welfare at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The ministry said the players and eligible officials received their per diems for the period from 26 July to 7 August on the 29 of July.

It said the payments were made in advance and acknowledged by recipients through signed allowance sheets.

Following the team’s quarter-final exit and its continued stay in Morocco for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 play-in qualification pathway, the Ministry said another payment was made on 11 August.

That payment covered the period from August 8 to August 14.

The ministry said signed allowance sheets had been provided to support its position that there were no outstanding per diem obligations as of August 12.

On winning bonuses, the ministry confirmed that the Black Queens earned one bonus after defeating Cape Verde in the group stage.

It said the bonus was being processed and would be paid after the required documentation, statutory deductions and other financial procedures were completed.

The ministry also rejected claims of an unpaid WAFCON qualification bonus arising from the team’s qualifying matches against Egypt.

It said the current government sports financing framework does not provide a separate qualification bonus for progressing through the home-and-away WAFCON qualifiers.

According to the ministry, government instead covers approved expenses associated with the qualification process, including per diems and other operational costs.

It also said there was no government approval for winning bonuses for the qualifying matches against Egypt and that this position had been communicated to the Ghana Football Association.

The ministry said it had taken note of concerns about the players’ welfare, health and mental well-being.

It said the team has access to a support structure including medical, physiotherapy, nutritional, administrative and other welfare personnel.

The ministry added that additional legitimate welfare needs brought to the attention of team management were being addressed, with its accountant attached to the team facilitating approved payments where necessary.

It said government remains committed to supporting the Black Queens and the development of women’s football.

The team is preparing for a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualification play-in against Côte d’Ivoire.

The ministry has urged stakeholders to channel concerns about financial entitlements and welfare through the appropriate institutional channels while encouraging the public to continue supporting the Black Queens.