Former members of Ghana’s U-20 team that qualified the country for the 2015/2016 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Papua New Guinea have launched a campaign calling on the government to intervene over bonuses they say have remained unpaid for nearly a decade.

The players, who were part of the squad that successfully navigated the World Cup qualifiers, say they were promised GH¢12,000 each as winning bonuses for their efforts. However, they claim only a portion of the amount was paid, leaving an outstanding balance of GH¢8,000 owed to every player.

According to the former players, repeated attempts to seek clarification and payment from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) over the years have yielded no results, leaving them feeling neglected despite their service to the nation.

Several members of the squad say life after football has been difficult. Some are reportedly struggling with rent, school fees, and medical expenses, while others have exited the game entirely and are now relying on small-scale businesses to survive. They believe the unpaid bonuses could have made a significant difference in their post-football lives.

The players recall the sacrifices they made during the qualifiers — enduring intense training, long travels, and tough matches — all in the quest to secure Ghana’s place at the World Cup. They also remember the nationwide celebrations and pride that followed qualification, making the prolonged delay in payment even more painful.

Their campaign is now aimed at drawing the attention of government officials, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the wider public. They are urging state authorities to engage the GFA on their behalf to help resolve the issue once and for all.

Some of the former players revealed that they have written letters, made phone calls, and reached out to successive GFA administrations, but despite repeated assurances, no payments have been made. The prolonged silence, they say, has led to deep frustration.

Beyond their personal struggles, the former U-20 players also expressed concern for the future of Ghana football. They fear unresolved issues like this could discourage younger players and erode trust in the national team system.

They maintain that bonuses are not handouts but earned rewards for dedication, sacrifice, and representing the nation with pride — respect they believe is long overdue.