Referees In Ghana To Earn Up To GH₵2,500 Per Match — Kurt Okraku

Ghanaian football referees are set for a significant pay and benefits upgrade from next season, following the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) approval of sweeping changes to their remuneration and welfare packages.

The announcement came during the GFA’s 31st Ordinary Congress on Tuesday, where President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku stressed that referees had been undervalued for too long.

From next season, FIFA-accredited referees will earn GH₵2,500 per Ghana Premier League match, while other Premier League officials will receive GH₵2,000. Referees in the Division One League and Women’s Premier League will be paid GH₵1,000 per game.

“Our referees will take centre stage in terms of their welfare going into the new season,” said Okraku. “The Executive Committee, after reviewing operational needs, has approved new working conditions for referees in the GPL, DoL, and WPL.”

A total of 280 referees across Ghana’s three top leagues will also be covered by a comprehensive insurance policy starting in the 2025/26 season. The cover includes life insurance, serious illness protection, disability benefits, medical expenses, workplace injury compensation, and family support such as funeral costs.

In addition, each referee will receive two pairs of boots per season, three different uniform sets, and three warm-up kits. The existing partnership with STC remains, allowing referees to travel to matches at half price.

While crowd troubles have declined, match officials still face harassment from players, club officials, and fans. Okraku urged the football community to rally behind referees:

“We must take a united stand, as a football family, to protect our referees and uphold the values of discipline, respect, and fair play.”

The GFA is also exploring the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to further support referees in making accurate decisions.