Public Relations officer at the Youth and Sports ministry, Mr Elvis Adjei Baah has cited the recent change in government as a contributing factor to the delayed salaries of Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah and his backroom staff.

The 56 year old and his backroom staff are yet to be payed after three months in charge.

Speaking to Kumasi based Ashh FM, he emphasised that, the change in governance which consequentially led to a shake-up at GNPC (headline sponsor of the Black Stars) has caused the salaries to be delayed.

He revealed that, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) is responsible for paying the team coaches per the sponsorship package and not the sports ministry as is being assumed.

In further clarification, he stated that the sports ministry had earlier forwarded a letter to GNPC concerning the salaries to which they were replied.

According to him, GNPC's letter explained that the new MD was yet to have his first official meeting with the board to discuss the sponsorship deal thoroughly before going on with the payments.

"The sports ministry is not responsible for paying the Black Stars coach and his technincal handlers. That is the role of GNPC. You also know that there was a recent change in government which has seen the appointment of a new Managing Director."

"When the new technical team of the Black Stars were appointed, we wrote a letter to GNPC to update them. They replied and made us aware that there is a new MD and a new board as well and that they will hold their first meeting somewhere next week and that's when they will discuss this issue" he said

"Now the new MD cannot make certain decisions on his own, he has to meet with the board in order to come to a consensus about certain issues. They (the board) are yet to hold their first meeting and it is during that meeting they will deliberate on this salary issue and then make the payments."

He however mentioned that the sponsor was highly committed to their responsibility while saying it was normal in every civil organization to take time to settle before continuing projects of past administrations.

"But they will also want to indicate that there is that strong commitment towards continuing the sponsorship package they have for the Black Stars it's just that the formal thing must be done."

He alo noted that Kwesi Appiah is aware of all these arrangements and has no problems at all.

"Let me say in conclusion that the coach is not oblivious of all these arrangements and he has no problem" he said

Dr K K Sarpong who was the former CEO of Tema Oil Refinery was appointed  MD for GNPC after the change in government.

Coach Kwesi Appiah chose to stay behind in the United States to observe some young Ghanaian talents after the Black Stars lost their double header friendly recently to Mexico and the USA respectively.

Musah Abelyire/ghanaguardian.com