President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stark warning that poor refereeing and the growing perception of match manipulation are eroding confidence in Ghanaian football, driving supporters away from stadiums, and depriving clubs of crucial revenue.
Speaking at the Jubilee House on Tuesday when he received players and officials of Ghana Premier League champions Medeama SC, Nations FC, and Women’s Premier League champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies, the President said restoring integrity to refereeing must become an urgent priority for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the referees’ body.
“Matches Are Played Before They Are Played”
“Unfortunately, refereeing is one of the things that is destroying our football. The matches are played before they are played,” Mahama said, employing a local expression suggesting results are predetermined before kickoff.
The President’s concerns extended beyond individual officiating errors to the damaging perception among supporters that some match outcomes are decided off the pitch rather than on it. He specifically referenced claims about clubs budgeting for “ways and means” — a euphemism widely associated with attempts to influence match outcomes — warning that football cannot thrive when supporters doubt the integrity of the competition.
“It is in our interest to make the matches competitive. The matches must be tough, and everybody must leave feeling that there was a neutral referee and that matches were won fairly,” he said.
Declining Attendances, Failing Clubs
According to the President, the consequences of poor officiating and match-fixing suspicions are already visible across the domestic game. He argued that these issues have contributed to the declining competitiveness of the Ghana Premier League and become a major disincentive for supporters who would otherwise pay to watch matches. Falling attendances subsequently deprive clubs of gate revenue, weakening a league already battling significant financial and commercial challenges.
The President challenged the GFA and the Referees Association of Ghana to work together to improve officiating standards and rebuild public trust in the domestic game.
“I want the Referees Association of Ghana and the Football Association to work together to improve refereeing standards. 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,” Mahama stated.
GH¢684,000 Presented to Continental Representatives
President Mahama used the occasion to rally support behind Ghana’s continental representatives, presenting a total of GH¢684,000 from the Sports Development Fund to support their preparations for CAF inter-club competitions.
Medeama SC received GH¢342,000 (US20,000), while Ampem Darkoa Ladies received GH¢114,000 (US$10,000).
The President challenged the clubs to improve on Ghana’s recent performances in African competition and restore the country’s once-formidable reputation on the continent. He described football as a powerful national branding asset, recalling how Ghanaian clubs and football icons remain recognised internationally.
“There are many times that I have travelled to different countries and, once you are identified as a Ghanaian, somebody would shout, ‘Oh, Asante Kotoko,’ or ‘Hearts of Oak,’ or ‘Abedi Pele.’ It is something that sells a country’s brand very well,” he said.
Call for Greater Investment in Women’s Football
The President also demanded greater investment in women’s football, questioning why the women’s game continues to receive comparatively limited support despite its achievements.
“Indeed, we have done much better in women’s football than in men’s football. Our women have won more trophies for us than the men, and yet we put all the money into men’s football,” Mahama said.
After noting that Ampem Darkoa Ladies had almost been overlooked during proceedings, he called for deliberate intervention to close the investment gap.
“In the spirit of affirmative action, we must deliberately support women’s football and help bring the women’s teams up,” he said.
Revival of Colts Football and Youth Development
Turning to grassroots development, President Mahama questioned the decline of Ghana’s once-thriving Colts football system, which historically served as the breeding ground for the country’s finest talents.
“I do not know what happened to it, so I want to ask the Football Association what has happened to the Colts League. Call it the Colts League, and let us all help to sponsor it,” he said.
The President pledged to support Colts teams in his constituency and hometown. He also cautioned Ghanaian clubs against selling talented young players abroad too early, arguing that keeping emerging stars in the domestic game longer would strengthen the league and give players valuable experience before overseas moves.
“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.
Infrastructure and Sports Development Fund
On infrastructure, the President revealed that the government had allocated funds for 10 new stadia, including facilities in the Oti, Western North, Ahafo, Bono East, Savannah, and North East regions. He added that athletics, boxing, and other sporting disciplines would also benefit when the Sports Development Fund becomes fully operational.
“Go and Recapture the Glory Days”
Ultimately, the President’s message to Ghana football was about restoring credibility at home and respect abroad.
“Go and recapture the glory days of Ghana football,” he told the clubs. “I want to travel abroad in future, say I am from Ghana, and hear people proudly mention the names of our clubs once again.”
The meeting comes amid longstanding concerns about the standard of officiating in the Ghana Premier League, with clubs and supporters frequently alleging bias and match-fixing. The GFA has yet to respond publicly to the President’s remarks.
Background
Ghanaian football has faced persistent integrity challenges in recent years. In 2018, undercover investigations by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas exposed widespread corruption in Ghanaian football, leading to bans for several referees and officials. The documentary, titled “Number 12,” showed referees and officials accepting bribes to influence match outcomes, prompting FIFA and CAF to intervene.
The Ghana Premier League has also struggled with declining attendance and commercial viability, with clubs often relying on gate proceeds that have dwindled as supporter confidence has eroded. The league has seen several sponsorship challenges, with title sponsorships changing hands frequently.
Medeama SC, Nations FC, and Ampem Darkoa Ladies are preparing to represent Ghana in the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, and CAF Women’s Champions League respectively.
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