Youth and Sports Minister, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has disclosed that Black Stars head coach Avram Grant rejected winning bonus paid to him in the local currency instead of US dollars in their 3-1 win over Mozambique in the 2017 AFCON Qualifier.
According to the Minister of Youth and Sports he directed the money to be paid in the local currency but Avram Grant rejected it.
Credible source indicates that Avram Grant refused to accept the money because his winning bonus was paid in Ghana Cedis instead of US dollars.
In his contract as revealed by the sector minister, he will receive his salary in dollars but winning bounses will have to be paid in the local currency.
"This is our country and the currency is in Cedis so if you say we should pay you in dollars you are working for a country called Ghana and I am paying all the people working for me in Cedis. I want to say it here, if Avram Grant says he won’t accept his money he will not get his bonus,” Nii Lantey said.
“He can go anywhere for all I care,” the Sports Minister insisted.
Nii Lantey further explained that the coach will receive his usual salary in dollars but bonuses meant for the team and him will be in the local currency.
"This is Ghana, you work for Ghana. As for your pay I don’t have any problem with that because it is in the contract we should pay you in dollars, but bonus the country is giving you cannot be paid in dollars."
"We will pay his money into his account, and if he wants the bank can convert that into dollars for him but it is not me who will do that for him,” he added.
According to the Minister, President John Dramani Mahama is solidly behind him in discharging his duties in the interest of the state and he won't object to his decision.
“I took a decision and discussed with the players and they accepted. . . we paid Cedis in the Comoros game and I negotiated with the players myself, likewise the Mozambique game which the monies are ready,” he disclosed clarifying that they will receive dollars when the team travels outside the country.
Avram Grant led the Black Stars to a 3-1 triumph in the first round of the 2017 Gabon qualifiers and settled for a draw in their second leg-tie in Maputo.
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