ACCRA, Ghana -- The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed it is now able to pay back the money it borrowed from the government to avoid a player strike over unpaid bonuses at the World Cup.
The GFA said in a statement on Thursday that officials would meet with the country's sports minister, Mahama Ayariga, and pay back the loan after the national association received its World Cup appearance money from FIFA.
Ghana's government flew around $3 million in cash to Brazil to avert a player walkout at the World Cup in June. GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi later said Ghana had also used cash "in order to prevent player revolts" at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, but would now revert to "signed agreements" and bank transfers for the bonuses.
Ghana's government carried out an investigation into the saga at this year's World Cup in Brazil, where the 2010 quarterfinalists finished bottom of Group G without winning a game. As a result, coach Kwesi Appiah was sacked in September.