Sports
GFA spends GHS7.5 million annually on match officials – Kurt Okraku
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has reiterated the Association's commitment to match officials, revealing that the GFA spends GHS 7.5 million annually on officiating costs.
The comment comes in response to growing concerns from referees and match commissioners over delayed payments. Earlier this week, a group known as Concerned Referees and Match Commissioners of Ghana (CRAMCOG) informed the GFA of their intention to withdraw services due to a 21-week delay in allowances. The group cited a lack of attention to their welfare, warning that the situation could jeopardise the integrity of domestic football.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Okraku admitted the outstanding payments but stressed that the GFA is working to resolve the situation. “We owe referees, but we’re working around the clock to fix it. When I’m done and gone, I want to be remembered for honesty. We’ve had challenges due to unpaid monies from StarTimes, and that has affected our flow,” he said.
The GFA president dismissed claims that the Association has treated match officials unfairly. “Reject the report of pull-out by match officials. The FA has not shown bad faith. If there are challenges, we fix them together.”
In defence of the GFA’s efforts, Okraku added, “We spend GHS 7.5 million on match officials alone every year. We have absorbed that for our clubs. Under my leadership, we’ve absorbed clubs.”
Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet
