Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to developing the next generation of referees after officially opening the FIFA Member Association (MA) Young Talent Refereeing Course at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Simeon-Okraku explained that he made it a priority to attend the programme despite returning from the 2026 FIFA World Cup just a day earlier, stressing the importance of investing in the future of football officiating in Ghana.
“I felt it was important to be here because the future of refereeing in Ghana matters to all of us. This course is an investment in that future, and I wanted to personally encourage these young referees as they begin this important journey,” the GFA President said.
The GFA President reflected on the impact of the Anas exposé, which led to the departure of dozens of referees from the game, saying the experience inspired the introduction of the Association’s Catch Them Young Refereeing Policy to rebuild the country’s officiating structure.
“The FIFA MA Young Talent Course perfectly complements our Catch Them Young Refereeing Policy. Together, these initiatives are helping us build a strong foundation for the future of refereeing in Ghana, and I am excited about what lies ahead,” he stated.
Simeon-Okraku also pointed to the success of the initiative, revealing that several young referees who benefited from the programme are already handling matches in the Division One League and the Ghana Premier League.
“Today, some of the referees who came through the Catch Them Young programme are already officiating in the Division One League and even the Ghana Premier League. That is evidence that the policy is working and that opportunities exist for those who are committed to developing themselves,” he added.
The GFA President urged participants to embrace the opportunity and maximise the knowledge they will receive from FIFA instructors Essameldin Abdelfattah Hassan Abdelhamid of Egypt and Boubakar Hannachi of Tunisia, reminding them that they represent the future of officiating in the country.
“You should count yourselves fortunate to be part of this programme. Learn as much as you can from the instructors, work hard, remain disciplined and prepare yourselves for the opportunities that lie ahead. The future of Ghanaian refereeing could very well be sitting in this room,” he concluded.