Building a strong future for officiating in Ghana

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has faced its share of criticism from underperforming national teams to a league struggling to capture attention.

Refereeing has also been a sore point, but the GFA believes it is addressing this through one of President Kurt Okraku’s flagship programs: the Catch Them Young Policy.

This initiative, introduced in response to the 2018 Number 12 documentary that exposed corruption in Ghana’s refereeing system, is designed to identify, train, and nurture young referees both boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18.

At the program’s launch, President Kurt Okraku expressed optimism about its potential to transform officiating in Ghana: “Today marks a significant step in our agenda to improve refereeing in this country. We are training our kids in the way they should go so that when they grow, they won’t depart from the good virtues they have learned.”

Modeled after successful programs in countries like England, Scotland, and Ireland, the Catch Them Young Policy is beginning to show results.

Over the last four years, many young referees have emerged, with some officiating in Colt football, Division 1, and Division 2 matches. A few are even preparing to take charge of Ghana Premier League games.

Among the standout beneficiaries are Sophia Azumah from the Central Region and Salma Iddi from the North East Region.

Both young women served as officials at the WAFU U-17 Zone B Girls Cup, breaking barriers in a male-dominated profession.

Sophia shared with 3sports how the program has helped her fulfill her dream of becoming a referee, offering opportunities to travel and gain experience across Ghana.

Salma also highlighted how the policy is dismantling stereotypes about female referees.

Despite initial family opposition, both now enjoy the full support of their families, who are proud of their achievements.

Another success story is Nana Kofi Amoah, who has progressed through the ranks and is now listed as a Ghana Premier League referee. While he appreciates the policy, he stresses the need for the GFA to address challenges like assaults on referees to encourage more young people to join the profession.

“If the GFA can tackle referee assaults, more young boys and girls will want to pursue this profession. The Catch Them Young Policy is a great initiative,” Nana Kofi Amoah remarked.

Senior FIFA referee instructor Mamaga Augustina Fugah is a strong advocate for the policy, particularly for the opportunities it creates for young girls to enter refereeing.

She dismisses critics who argue the program rushes young referees, emphasizing the long-term benefits of grooming officials from a young age.

While the Catch Them Young Policy is not without flaws, it represents a deliberate and commendable effort to recruit and develop referees early.

It is a step toward ensuring the future of officiating in Ghana is both competent and resilient.

This policy underscores the GFA’s commitment to rebuilding trust and professionalism in Ghanaian refereeing, setting the stage for a brighter future in football officiating.