How Much Do They Pay Footballers in Ghana? (2026 Guide in Ghana Cedi)
Football in Ghana is not just a sport — it’s a way of life. From grassroots tournaments in local communities to stars shining on the international stage, many young players dream of earning a living from the beautiful game. However, the pay for footballers in Ghana can vary dramatically depending on whether they play locally in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) or abroad with big clubs overseas.
In this detailed guide, we break down how much footballers are paid in Ghana today — from entry-level local league wages to top Ghanaian stars earning abroad — and explain what influences these figures.
1. Local Ghanaian League: What Players Earn
Minimum Monthly Salaries in the Ghana Leagues
In a historic decision aimed at protecting players and professionalising football in the country, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) introduced minimum monthly salaries starting in the 2025/26 season:
- 🟡 Ghana Premier League (GPL) players: Minimum of GHS 1,500 per month 💼
- 🟢 Division One League players: Minimum of GHS 700 per month 💼
- 🔵 Women’s Premier League players: Minimum of GHS 700 per month 💼
These figures are net take-home pay and apply to new contracts and will gradually apply to existing ones by the 2026/27 season.
This move marks one of the first structured efforts to ensure even the lowest-paid professionals earn a living wage.
2. Salary Range Among Domestic Footballers
Even with the minimum wage policy, the real salaries in the Ghana Premier League can vary significantly:
Typical Salary Brackets
- ⚽ Low-end bracket: Around GHS 400 – GHS 900 per month — especially at smaller clubs before the minimum salary rule.
- ⚽ Mid-range players: Earnings between GHS 3,000 – GHS 8,000 per month, depending on club finances, experience, and contract terms.
- ⚽ Top domestic earners: Some players in big clubs like Asante Kotoko SC and Accra Hearts of Oak SC can make up to GHS 18,000 – GHS 25,000 per month or more.
💡 Real-world note: In the past, some Ghana Premier League players were paid as low as GHS 400 per month — a figure that sparked calls for reform.
3. Club-by-Club Breakdown (Approximate Ghanaian Salaries)
Here’s a snapshot of how much players can make monthly at some of the better-financed Ghanaian clubs:
| Club | Average Monthly Salary (GHS) | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| Asante Kotoko SC | 12,000 – 25,000 | Bonuses, healthcare, CAF exposure |
| Accra Hearts of Oak SC | 10,000 – 20,000 | Accommodation, match bonuses |
| Medeama SC | 8,000 – 18,000 | Prompt salary payments |
| Dreams FC | 7,000 – 15,000 | Youth development exposure |
| Aduana Stars FC | 6,000 – 14,000 | Healthcare or housing perks |
| Bechem United FC | 6,000 – 12,000 | Timely pay focus |
| Legon Cities FC | 5,000 – 12,000 | Performance incentives |
| Karela United FC | 4,500 – 11,000 | Win bonuses |
| Berekum Chelsea FC | 4,000 – 10,000 | Basic allowances |
| King Faisal FC | 3,500 – 9,000 | Housing support |
These numbers are estimated averages and can rise with negotiated bonuses and international competition appearances.
4. Ghanaian Stars Abroad: Earnings Elevated
For Ghanaian players in foreign leagues, salaries are usually much higher—sometimes dozens or hundreds of times greater than local figures.
Examples of Ghanaian International Salaries (Approximate)
| Player | Club | Monthly Salary (Converted to GHS) |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Partey | Arsenal (EPL) | ~ GHS 11,700,000+ |
| Mohammed Kudus | West Ham (EPL) | ~ GHS 8,360,000+ |
| Jordan Ayew | Crystal Palace (EPL) | ~ GHS 5,016,000+ |
| Andre Ayew | Le Havre (Ligue 1) | ~ GHS 3,975,000+ |
| Gideon Mensah | Auxerre (Ligue 1) | ~ GHS 1,040,000+ |
| Ernest Nuamah | Lyon (Ligue 1) | ~ GHS 929,000+ |
👉 These figures show why many Ghanaian players aim for careers abroad — the financial rewards can be life-changing, especially when compared to domestic league earnings.
5. Who Pays These Salaries? Understanding the Owners
🔹 Ghana Premier League Club Owners
Local Ghanaian club budgets and owners vary a lot:
- Some have strong corporate sponsorship deals that allow higher salaries and bonuses.
- Others depend mainly on ticket sales and small partnerships, limiting player pay.
- Clubs competing in continental tournaments (e.g., CAF competitions) can pay more due to added revenue.
🔹 International Clubs
Foreign clubs (especially in Europe) are backed by:
- Lucrative broadcast deals
- Major sponsorship revenue
- Merchandise and commercial income
This is why Ghanaian stars at those clubs earn significantly more than players in the domestic league.
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Conclusion
How much footballers are paid in Ghana depends heavily on where they play:
- 🏆 Top international stars earn in the millions of Ghana cedis per month abroad.
- ⚽ Domestic Ghana Premier League players now have a minimum of GHS 1,500 per month, but averages vary widely.
- 💰 Club finances and performance bonuses significantly influence individual pay.
Football salaries in Ghana are growing more structured, but there’s still a gap between local and international earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the minimum salary for Ghana Premier League players?
Minimum monthly net pay in the GPL is GHS 1,500 under new GFA regulations.
2. Can local players earn more than GHS 10,000 per month?
Yes — top players at clubs like Asante Kotoko or Hearts of Oak can earn around GHS 10,000 – GHS 25,000 monthly.
3. Why do Ghanaian players earn more abroad?
Clubs in European leagues have much higher revenues from TV rights, sponsorships, and commercial deals, allowing bigger salaries.
4. Do Ghanaian women footballers earn similar salaries?
Women in the Ghana Women’s Premier League also have a minimum salary of GHS 700 per month, with some earning more based on club deals.
5. Are player bonuses included in these salaries?
Many clubs offer bonuses (win bonuses, performance incentives), which can boost total earnings beyond base salary.
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