Ghana players still awaiting World Cup bonus

Almost four months after they were promised $50,000 each as bonuses following the World Cup, some senior players on Ghana's national football team have accused the Bank of Ghana of delaying the payments.

The bank, however, has denied the accusation Wednesday.

"It (the bank) has been unable to release the monies because paying the amounts in cash as expected of it by the Sports Ministry and players would contravene its own operational guidelines," the bank said in a statement. "It is against prudent operational practice to make payments to individuals in excess of ten thousand dollars in over-the-counter transactions."

The bank says it has informed the Ministry of Youth and Sports that it would pay the foreign exchange amounts either to the bank accounts of the players, or by checks.

"This it is in line with international best practice and with various security considerations," the bank said.