StarTimes Ghana has begun paying off the remaining balance of over $800,000 owed to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) from their previous broadcast agreement, according to the company’s Public Relations Officer, Eli Kondoh.
The Chinese pay-TV broadcaster had signed a $5.25 million deal with the GFA in 2020 to cover the Ghana Premier League over five years. However, following the expiration of the partnership, broadcast rights were transferred to AFA TV and Globe TV for the 2024/25 season.
Speaking to Joy Sports, Kondoh confirmed that a portion of the outstanding balance has already been paid in recent weeks, adding that the company remains committed to supporting Ghana football.
“If you’re owing somebody in excess of five million dollars and you pay as much, and it’s left with a little over eight hundred thousand dollars, it means that a lot of money has gone into the whole project,” Kondoh said. “Just a few weeks ago, some amount of that outstanding balance has already been paid. So it means that StarTimes remains committed to the project of building Ghana football.”
He noted that although renewal talks between StarTimes and the GFA were officially abandoned in May due to the unpaid debt, the company is open to a potential return in a different capacity.
“It might not be specifically the Ghana Premier League—or maybe just an aspect of the league—but there are talks ongoing. It could be production,” Kondoh revealed. “So the talks are still in progress, and once they are finalised, I’m sure you’ll get hold of it, and then we can communicate to the viewers exactly the details of the new terms that might come up.”
The GFA previously stated that the decision not to renew the contract was due to the failure of StarTimes to fulfil the full financial terms of their initial agreement, leading to a shift in their broadcast strategy. However, StarTimes’ recent efforts to clear the remaining debt and maintain dialogue with the GFA suggest that a future partnership remains possible.
