By Kwame Bediako
Twenty-two referees have been awarded FIFA badges for the 2025 football season.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) held a brief ceremony at its headquarters in Accra on January 21, 2025, to honour these officials, who have demonstrated exceptional performance in the previous year. This recognition not only highlights their dedication but also marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of refereeing in Ghana.
The FIFA badges are awarded annually to the top-ranked referees based on their performance and results from the FIFA Test. The Classification and Assessment Committee of the GFA plays a crucial role in determining these rankings, ensuring that only the best officiate at international matches. The GFA President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, expressed his pride in the referees’ accomplishments and encouraged them to continue serving as exemplary ambassadors for Ghanaian football.
“On the whole, every member of this group has done a good job. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Daniel (Laryea) for all that you have done for your good self and for Ghana: And to all of you who have been officiating on the continent, I have not had any negative reportage on your performances,” Kurt Okraku said.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by Ghanaian referees, particularly in light of the controversies that marred the sport in 2018, President Okraku emphasised the progress made since then. He commended the referees for their contributions to restoring confidence in the officiating process and highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards in their profession.
“Obviously, 2018 was a bad page in the history of the Ghanaian game, especially when it comes to your profession. We started a new journey of repositioning refereeing in Ghana and beyond Ghana. And I think that all of you have contributed massively to our small success story,” he said.
The GFA’s commitment to fostering excellence in officiating was echoed by General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo, who expressed confidence in the referees’ ability to uphold the integrity of the sport.
“We are happy with your progress and confident you will continue to make the profession worthy of emulation. This badge is for the year 2025 and will be reviewed by FIFA after the end of the calendar year. We wish you well,” Prosper Harrison Addo
The FIFA badge, which is valid for one year, Prosper Harrison Addo serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with representing Ghana on the global stage. The GFA aims to provide further opportunities for these officials to showcase their skills and continue their professional growth.
The list of referees includes a diverse group, with ten centre referees, ten assistant referees, and representatives for futsal, beach soccer, and video assistant referee (VAR) roles.
Among those honoured, 12 are male and 8 are female, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity within the sport. As the referees prepare to officiate international matches, the GFA encourages them to strive for excellence, ensuring that their performances contribute positively to the reputation of Ghanaian football on the world stage.
