Ghana’s senior female football team, the Black Queens have triggered another bonus and welfare issues controversy with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

In their latest protest, the players are not only demanding the prompt payment of all outstanding bonuses, but also more support and attention from the GFA and ministry.

A day before their crucial Women’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Cote d’Ivoire, the Queens, in unsigned statement, among other things, demanded that their outstanding bonus in their win against Egypt in the final round of the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers be paid.

Also, they demanded the  unsettled qualification bonuses for reaching the quarter-finals of the WAFCON in Morocco as a well as unpaid per diem or daily allowances for training and travelling during international duties.

The Queens, who lost 1-2 to Malawi in their quarter-finals match and consequently missed out on a title chase and an automatic WWC qualification, in the statement demanded better management support for players and officials, as well as for their mental health and well-being. 

In their statement, the Queens said they dedicate their time, energy and careers to represent Ghana and make personal sacrifices and in return, make a simple request  for “transparency, accountability, fairness and respect.

Financial commitment

In demanding accountability and fairness, the Queens demanded that financial commitments made to players be honoured on time with the welfare of national teams players treated as a priority. 

Support

The statement, unverified, also accused the Minister and the GFA President of abandoning them,  they visited them only once, during their first official training session. 

“Apart from that occasion, we have largely had to rely on ourselves, our teammates and our technical staff throughout this journey,” they stated.

The Queens, however, emphasised that their statement was not intended to create conflict, or disrespect anyone, stating: “We want to make

it clear that this statement is not intended to create conflict or disrespect anyone. We believe in the Black Queens and want to see the team develop in a professional and supportive environment.

“We respectfully call on the relevant authorities including the Ministry and the appropriate decision-makers, to listen to our concerns, engage with us, and work towards a swift resolution,” the statement concluded. 

Protest over bonuses

Protests over unpaid bonuses by the female national teams have been recurring. 

Last October, there was controversy over a similar issue when the Queens, while in camp preparing for WAFCON qualifiers, demanded the payment of unpaid bonuses when the Sports Minister, Kofi Iddi Adams visited them at their hotel.

It was reported that the Minister in interacting with them, asked that players who were unwilling to play because bonuses were outstanding, could leave camp.

That was however, denied by both the office of the Minister and the GFA.

In 2016, a similar protest occurred with the Queens returning with a bronze medal from that WAFCON, picketing at the Sports Ministry to demand their unpaid winning bonuses.  

WWC play-off

The Queens had hoped to end their 20-year hiatus at the WWC, however, they have missed out on the automatic route and will now have to go through a more complicated qualification process, which starts with the game against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.

If the Queens win, they will then progress to the second phase, an intercontinental play-off involving teams from Asia and Oceania.

Should they progress from that phase, they will then go into the final phase where they will be drawn against a team from either Europe, South America or North America in a knockout tie with the eventual winners securing one of three slots for the 2027 WWC in Brazil.