Kotoko Tops Highest Paying Clubs In First Capital Plus League, Ashgold's Baffour Is Highest Paid Player

Kumasi Asante Kotoko are the best paid team in the Ghanaian top flight measured by average first-team wages. 2014 CAF Confederations cup campaigners Medeama SC are placed second but Obuasi AshGold stormed into the top three whiles players of Kumasi-based King Faisal are the lowest earners in the top flight with an average annual salary of GH₵2,100.00, according to a research into the salaries of the Sixteen Premier League clubs by Ghanasportsonline.com. The average first team pay at Kotoko � the record Ghana league champions and current league leaders has been calculated at GH₵955 player per month, or GH₵11,700 per year . The highest paid players at the defending champions ranges between GH₵1,450.00- GH₵1,500.00 and includes newly signed veteran and former Arminia Bielefeld and VfL Wolfsburg striker Isaac Boakye. Midfielder Raheem Ayew, son of Ghana legend Abedi Pele, Ghana CHAN captain Jordan Opoku and current Kotoko skipper Michael Akuffo are all pegged in that region. The study revealed that the no first team player of the Porcupines receive less than GH₵450, or GH₵5,400.00 per year. Medeama's first team players earn an average GH₵900 per month, or GH₵11,400 per man per year. Highest earners include former Kotoko duo Nathaniel Asamoah and Michael Helegbe with salaries in the region of GH₵1,200- GH₵1,400. Players of Kotoko's regional rivals Obuasi AshantiGold are pegged at No3, earning an average salary of GH₵7,320 annually. Gold mining firm AngloGold Ashanti, financiers of the Len Clay side transacts all payments and expenses in US Dollars and the club's wage bill soars as the Dollar rate increases. Former Ghana league top scorer Emmanuel Baffour, who was signed from PSL side Mamelodi Sundowns has parts of his signing on fee spread across his monthly salary and thus making him the clubs highest paid player. Baffour earns $750 (GH₵2023.13), or GH₵24,276 annually. Veteran Louis Agyeman takes home 40% less of Baffour's amount. Nonetheless, some first team members of the 1997 CAF Champions league finalists take home as low as GH₵280 a month. Ashgold's salary structure is reviewed after every 10 matches based on a performance chart. First-team stars at Kpando Heart of Lions, at No4, earn an average of GH₵650 per man per month, or GH₵7,720 annually. Highest paid stars at the Volta side earn around GH₵900-GH₵1,000 per month. Former Asante Kotoko skipper, who was registered for the club for free upon his return from Vietnam decided that his signing on fee be paid in monthly wages. Ex Black Stars skipper Stephen Ahorlu and skipper Samuel Yeboah includes the highest earners in the club. Surprisingly, impressive striker Isaac Osae, defender Benjamin Agyare and striker Paul Acquah, who netted the winner against Hearts of Oak are amongst the lowest earners taking home not more than GH₵250 a month. Ghanasportsonline.com has gathered that, Lions players have been promised a drastic salary increment by new owner Randy Abbey, to demonstrate the depth of the pockets of the millionaire owner. Accra Hearts of Oak players are placed at 5th, The Phobian sky-high earners such as Philemon McCarthy, skipper Moro Abubakar and Ruben Gnagne takes home a gross monthly salary of GH₵700-GH₵750. The Hearts of Oak salary structure is basically based on the number of years spent at the Accra sports stadium. With promoted youth team players taking as low as GH₵300 cedis. Basically, the average Hearts of Oak player earns GH₵550. Aduana Stars are 6th in terms of player wage bills. Striker Alex Asamoah is the highest earner at the Dormaa-based club according to the research. Meanwhile, skipper Samuel Asiedu and other long serving team members like Godfred Saka and Stephen Adams receive salaries ranging between GH₵500-GH₵600. The average Aduana Stars player receives approximately GH₵445. The 2009/2010 league champions however, earns the biggest match bonuses in the top flight. Abdul Basit Mohammed, who was Berekum Chelsea's highest earner at GH₵550 per month, terminated his contract midway through the season. The club's general captain and CHAN team member Jackson Owusu is also pegged in that region of GH₵6,000 annual salary. An average earner at Berekum receives GH₵375. The lowest paid player at the Golden City club takes home GH₵200 a month or GH₵ 2,400 annually. Bechem United's Tophic Sani is the highest earner at the club with a gross monthly salary of GH₵500. Skipper Papa Yaw James takes 25% less of that amount. The lowest paid player at the club earns GH₵150. Bechem United management provides free feeding for the club twice a day. Averaged GH₵325. Wa All Stars first team players earn an average of GH₵300. The club also provides free accommodation for its players and thus pay less comparatively. The lowest earning first team players in the Ghana league play for Kumasi-based King Faisal. Highest erner at the club is skipper Tetteh Nortey who takes home GH₵350. Ransford Kwakye, Sulley Mohammed, Pius Baffour and Farouk Mohammed are all pegged at GH₵300 or below. The lowest earning players receives between GH₵80-100 per month. The average King Faisal player takes home GH₵210 per month, or GH₵2,520 per year.