Mahama: Refereeing is destroying Ghana football

President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about refereeing in Ghanaian football, saying the practice of allegedly influencing match officials is undermining the competitiveness and credibility of the domestic league.

The President made the comments on Tuesday when Ghana’s representatives in the CAF inter-club competitions – Medeama SC and Nations FC – as well as Ampem Darkoa Ladies, paid a courtesy call on him ahead of their respective continental campaigns.

According to President Mahama, refereeing remains one of the major challenges affecting the development of football in the country.

“Unfortunately, refereeing is one of the things that is destroying our soccer. The matches are played before they are played.”

He alleged that there is a “ways-and-means budget” for every match, suggesting that some outcomes may be influenced before the games are played.

“Everybody knows that, for every match, there is a ways-and-means budget. It makes the league less competitive because the match has already been played.”

The President’s remarks come at a time when Ghana is seeking to strengthen its representation on the continental football stage, with Medeama SC and Nations FC representing the country in the men’s competitions and Ampem Darkoa Ladies flying Ghana’s flag in women’s football.

President Mahama’s comments are expected to renew discussions about the integrity of officiating in Ghanaian football and the need for stronger measures to ensure fairness and confidence in domestic competitions.