The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has emphasized the importance of conducting frequent mandatory exams for referees across the country.
He believes that this will help referees enhance their understanding of the laws of the game and ultimately improve their performance during matches.
During a one-day training workshop for Referees Managers from the ten Regional Football Associations in Accra, Kurt Okraku stated that the Regional Referees Associations need to be more honest and scientific in their approach. He proposed that mandatory theoretical exams should be conducted three times a year for all referees, with these exams being computerized to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
In the past, there was a heavy emphasis on physical training as a measure of the quality of referees. However, Kurt Okraku noted that while referees may have been physically fit, many lacked a solid grasp of the rules governing the game. As a result, he has made it a priority to shift the focus towards ensuring that referees have a comprehensive understanding of the laws of the game.
Under his leadership, Kurt Okraku has made significant investments in improving refereeing standards in the country. One of his notable initiatives is the “Catch Them Young” refereeing policy, which has seen young referees officiating matches at the District and Regional Football Association levels since its launch in 2020.
