By: Nana Kwame Bediako
George Saijah, chairman of the Referees Association of Ghana, has disclosed that referees officiating Ghana Premier League matches earn GHS 1,000 per game. This revelation was made during a probe into a petition from the Save Ghana Football Forum, which has raised concerns about the integrity of football officiating in the country.
Saijah’s transparency about the compensation structure aims to address concerns and shed light on the financial aspects of refereeing in Ghana.
According to Saijah, referees in the Ghana Premier League take home GHS 1,000 per match, while those officiating in the Division One League and the Women’s League earn GHS 750. This structured payment system is intended to provide fair compensation for the referees’ crucial role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the matches they oversee.
However, with the spotlight now on their earnings, there are growing concerns that such compensation may not be sufficient to deter referees from succumbing to external pressures. Critics argue that the relatively modest pay could make referees vulnerable to influences that might affect their impartiality during matches.
The fear is that low pay might create an environment where referees feel pressured to favor certain clubs, thus compromising the fairness of the game. This is particularly worrisome given the intense passion and high stakes involved in Ghanaian football.
In response to these concerns, Saijah emphasized the importance of integrity and the measures being taken to support referees in their duties. He highlighted ongoing training programs and the establishment of strict codes of conduct aimed at ensuring referees maintain high ethical standards.
The revelation of referees’ earnings has opened up a broader conversation about the overall investment in football officiating in Ghana. It raises questions about how the sport can be better supported to ensure fairness and integrity at all levels.