Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has insisted that it is essential for Black Stars players to travel business class when responding to call ups to represent the country.
According to him, Black Stars players need comfort for optimal performance, hence they should not be made to fly economy class.
His statement comes on the back of President John Mahama’s directive for newly appointed ministers to avoid first-class travel to reduce public expenditure and promote modest leadership.
Speaking in an interview, Kofi 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 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.
His comments come as the Black Stars prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Ghana will host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 21 before travelling to Morocco to face Madagascar on March 24.
The debate over travel arrangements for national teams has been ongoing, with concerns about player welfare and performance.
The minister’s stance signals a push for better conditions for the Black Stars, reinforcing the need for a balance between cost-cutting and competitive excellence.
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In response to the issue of President Mahama’s warning against first-class travel by government appointees, the Sports Minister argued that athletes require more comfortable travel arrangements, citing the need for adequate leg room to rest and recover, making economy class… pic.twitter.com/SL5AOUNGzR
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 18, 2025
