The Government of Ghana is set to pay each of the eighteen (18) Ghana Premier League (GPL) clubs a total amount of Gh¢ 100,000 as compensation for playing football behind closed doors and not making any proceeds from gate fees because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first tranche, Gh¢50,000, is expected to be paid to clubs on Friday December 4, 2020, with Gh¢ 900,000 of the total Gh¢ 1,800,000 already released, a Ministry of Youth and Sports statement said.
The statement said arrangements are being made to compensate Division One League clubs and the women’s league clubs with their competitions are yet to start.
Ghana Premier League matches have been played behind closed doors since the start of the country’s top flight competition in November, after government went back on an initial promise to allow 25% capacity at match venues.
The financial impact of the directive has hit clubs hard, with clubs limited to essentially non-existent sponsorships, as the only source of revenue.
The news is expected to come as a relief to club owners, who have complained bitterly about the financial burdens the coronavirus pandemic has had on their teams.
The Ghana Premier League is 4 match days old, with Karela United top of the table with 7 points.
