Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) vice-president George Afriyie has raised concerns over the payment of Ghana Premier League prize money, claiming that champions Bibiani Gold Stars and Medeama SC are still waiting for their financial rewards.
Gold Stars won the 2024/25 league title, while Medeama emerged champions in the 2025/26 season. However, Afriyie says neither club has received the prize money due to them for winning the competition.
Speaking to Ahenfie FM, he questioned the value of announcing financial rewards for clubs if the payments were not made after the season ended.
“Now we play the league, and it ends; the winner will get maybe one million Ghana cedis. But, as far as I’m concerned, Gold Stars won the league and have still not received their prize money, as well as Medeama SC,” he said.
Concerns over promised payments
Ahead of the 2025/26 season, it was announced that each of the 18 Ghana Premier League clubs would receive GH₵1 million, while the overall prize money for the season was set at GH₵2 million.
Afriyie’s comments raise questions about the fulfilment of those financial commitments, particularly as clubs face the costs of preparing for domestic and continental competitions.
He warned that delays in paying league champions could affect their ability to strengthen their squads and meet travel and other logistical expenses when representing Ghana in African competitions.
“If the team that won the league is entitled to prize money of about one million Ghana cedis, it can prepare to play in Africa, won’t get it, and will go to Africa, and after the first game they are all eliminated and clearly nothing is working,” he added.
His argument is that timely payment of prize money could help clubs plan ahead and meet some of the financial demands associated with competing beyond Ghana.
Gold Stars CEO also raises payment concerns
Afriyie’s claims follow comments by Bibiani Gold Stars chief executive Akwasi Adu, who also disclosed that the promised GH₵1 million payment to each Premier League club had not been made.
The latest concerns have brought renewed attention to the financial commitments announced for the league and the importance of ensuring clubs receive their entitlements on time.
Gold Stars and Medeama’s reported wait for their prize money could be particularly significant as clubs seek to prepare for continental assignments, where recruitment, travel and other expenses can place considerable pressure on their budgets.
However, the claims about the outstanding payments have been attributed to Afriyie and Adu, and no response from the relevant authorities was included in the information provided.
