President John Mahama voiced his alarm over the quality of refereeing in Ghanaian football, arguing that the perception of pre‑determined outcomes is driving fans away from stadiums and hurting clubs’ gate receipts.
During a courtesy visit from the Ghana Premier League champions Medeama Sporting Club, MTN FA Cup holders Nations FC and Ampem Darkoa Ladies, Mahama said, “Unfortunately, refereeing is one of the things destroying our football.” He added, “Sometimes people believe the matches are decided before they are even played, and that makes the league less competitive.”
He urged the Ghana Referees Association and the Ghana Football Association to collaborate on raising officiating standards, stating, “I want the Ghana Referees Association and the Football Association to work together to improve refereeing standards. Many spectators have stopped attending matches because they believe the outcomes are predetermined. That is reducing attendance and gate proceeds.”
Mahama stressed the need for a competitive and credible domestic league, insisting that matches must be decided on merit. “It is in our interest to make the league competitive. Every match must be fairly officiated so that whoever wins does so on merit. That is the only way to restore confidence in our football,” he said.
As part of the visit, the President presented financial support to the three clubs: Medeama Sporting Club received GH¢342,000 (US$30,000), Nations FC received GH¢228,000 (US$20,000), and Ampem Darkoa Ladies received GH¢114,000 (US$10,000).
He also called for a revival of the Colts League, lamenting its disappearance and urging the Football Association to rename it back to the Colts League and secure sponsorship. “We used to have a very good Colts League. I do not know what happened to it, so I want to ask the Football Association what has happened to the Colts League,” he said. “I hear it has been renamed grassroots football, but we all knew it as Colts. So, call it the Colts League, and let us all help to sponsor it.”
Mahama criticised the early transfer of promising local players, arguing that the practice depletes the quality of the domestic league. “We must find a way to keep our talented players a little longer, give them opportunities in the national team, allow them to gain international experience, and then let them move abroad after they have matured,” he said.
He urged the clubs to perform strongly on the continent and help restore the glory days of Ghanaian football. “Go and recapture the glory days of Ghana football,” he said. “I want to travel abroad in the future, say I am from Ghana, and hear people proudly mention the names of our clubs once again.”
