Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has emphasized that Black Stars players should not be made to fly economy class, citing the need for comfort and optimal performance.
His statement follows President John Mahama’s directive for newly appointed ministers to avoid first-class travel to reduce public expenditure and promote modest leadership.
Speaking on TV3 Sports Station, Adams acknowledged the directive’s broad application but insisted that national team players require better travel conditions.
“The President’s directive affects all sectors, including the FA, unless we are chartering a flight, which usually doesn’t have first class. However, you can’t put players in economy class because they rely on their legs for performance, and they need enough space to stretch. You don’t expect them to squeeze in the economy and then perform at their best. If it’s a short flight, like from Accra to Kumasi, it’s manageable, but for long flights, at least business class is necessary,” he stated.
The Black Stars have commenced preparations for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with nine players participating in their first training session on Monday.
Ghana will host Chad on March 21 at the Accra Sports Stadium before travelling to Morocco to face Madagascar on March 24.
