George Saijah, Chairman of the Referees Association of Ghana (RAG), has launched a stinging criticism of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), accusing the governing body of fostering an environment of fear among match officials, neglecting their welfare, and ignoring the association’s attempts to initiate dialogue—especially in the wake of the death of a respected referee.
In a series of public statements, Saijah painted a grim picture of life as a referee in Ghana’s top-flight league, alleging that officials are underpaid, silenced, and abandoned when they need the support of the country’s football authorities most.
“The current GFA administration has created an environment where referees feel silenced by the threat of victimization,” Saijah said. “Match officials now fear that raising legitimate concerns could cost them their careers or bring disciplinary action.”
This climate of intimidation, he argued, has created a culture of silence among referees, many of whom are allegedly afraid to speak up about poor working conditions or questionable treatment by league officials. Saijah’s comments follow growing concerns over the quality and fairness of officiating in the Ghana Premier League — issues he says cannot be addressed until referees are empowered and protected.
In addition to emotional pressure, referees also face severe financial constraints.
According to Saijah, Premier League referees — officiating in the country’s most competitive football matches — are paid less than $100 per game.
“Ghana Premier League referees are paid less than $100 per match. This is the highest level of football in the country, yet we continue to treat our officials like afterthoughts,” he said. “How do we expect quality officiating when the basic needs and welfare of referees are not met?”
But perhaps the most damning criticism came in reference to the GFA’s silence following the death of highly regarded referee, Nana Pooley. According to Saijah, RAG reached out to the GFA for dialogue after Pooley’s passing — an opportunity, he says, for reflection, reform, and healing. However, he claims those calls were ignored.
“In the aftermath of Nana Pooley’s passing, the Ghana Football Association did not respond to calls for dialogue from the Referees Association of Ghana,” Saijah revealed.
The late Nana Pooley was a beloved figure within the refereeing community, and his passing reignited conversations about the mental and physical toll referees endure. The lack of acknowledgment or engagement from the GFA, Saijah said, speaks volumes about how officials are valued within Ghana’s football ecosystem.
As tensions mount, the Referees Association is calling for structural reforms: improved compensation, protection against victimization, and a more responsive, inclusive approach from the GFA. While the football association has not yet issued a response to these claims, pressure is mounting from within the football community and civil society for the governing body to take action.
For now, Ghana’s referees remain on the front lines of the national sport — underpaid, unheard, and, according to their chairman, under siege.
