Special Aide to the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Wonder Mandel, has called on the committee responsible for fundraising and promotions for Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign to clarify the reported GH¢5 million payment claim involving dancehall artiste Shatta Wale.
According to Mandel, the reported financial obligation does not fall under the Sports Ministry because the artiste was engaged by the World Cup fundraising committee, which was chaired by the Deputy Finance Minister.
Speaking on Starr Showbiz with Feeling Daddy on Starr 103.5FM on Saturday, August 29, 2026, Mandel explained that the Sports Ministry did not directly engage the artistes and celebrities involved in the World Cup fundraising activities.
He said the 2026 World Cup campaign was structured to give different stakeholders specific responsibilities, with fundraising, promotions and events assigned to a dedicated committee.
“When it comes to issues with fundraising, event and promotion, it was a committee in charge of the fundraising and promotions and events,” he said.
READ: Sports Ministry not responsible for GH¢5m Shatta Wale debt – Minister’s aide
Mandel explained that the committee engaged celebrities and artistes to help promote a raffle that was organised as part of efforts to raise funds for Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
He said Shatta Wale was among the artistes contacted in connection with the initiative, stressing that any agreement regarding his engagement and payment was handled by the fundraising committee.
“The agreement is not between the artiste or the celebrities with the Finance Ministry, it was with the fundraising committee led by the Deputy Finance Minister,” Mandel clarified.
His comments come amid public discussion over Shatta Wale’s reported claim that he is owed GH¢5 million in connection with his involvement in Ghana’s World Cup activities.
Mandel, however, stopped short of confirming or denying the claim, saying the details of the agreement should be obtained from the committee that engaged the artiste.
“If there is any explanation or any conclusion, I think we need to get in touch with the fundraising committee and speak to them so that we can understand what the contract details spell out and if truly someone is owed or not,” he said.
He further noted that Shatta Wale himself had identified the Deputy Finance Minister as the person who contacted him, rather than the Sports Ministry.
Mandel said the clarification was necessary because there was a tendency for the public to assume that all aspects of Ghana’s World Cup activities were being handled by the Sports Ministry.
He explained that the 2026 World Cup preparations were divided among various committees, with the fundraising committee taking responsibility for sponsorships, fundraising events and related engagements.
He said most of the fundraising activities, apart from an event at Kentucky, were conducted through the Finance Ministry.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
