Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has disclosed that Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren and the Black Meteors’ technical team led by Desmond Ofei have gone more than a year without receiving their salaries, describing the situation as a major challenge for Ghana football.
Speaking during a meeting with Parliament’s Select Committee on Sports, Okraku revealed that Björkegren, who has now been appointed interim head coach of the Black Stars for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia, has not been paid for 13 months.
The GFA president also confirmed that the Black Meteors’ coaching staff are owed 12 months’ salaries, highlighting the persistent financial difficulties affecting Ghana’s national teams.
“When we fail to pay coaches on time, we invite trouble,” Okraku admitted, stressing that delayed payments make it difficult to maintain stability and ensure coaches can fully focus on their responsibilities.
Björkegren was appointed head coach of the Black Queens with the task of rebuilding the senior women’s national team and recently guided Ghana to qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. His impressive work earned him the additional responsibility of leading the Black Stars on an interim basis following the departure of Carlos Queiroz.
The revelation comes amid growing concerns over the funding of Ghana’s national teams, with delayed payments to coaches and players becoming a recurring issue in recent years. The salary arrears have often generated public debate over the welfare of technical staff and the need for sustainable financial support for the country’s football programmes.
Despite the challenges, Björkegren has continued to work with both the Black Queens and the interim Black Stars technical team as Ghana prepares for two must-win AFCON qualifying matches against Somalia.
Okraku’s comments are expected to intensify calls for improved financial support for Ghana’s national teams, with many stakeholders insisting that prompt payment of coaches and technical staff is essential to achieving success on the international stage.
