GFA President hints VAR introduction in Ghana Premier League

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology into the Ghana Premier League, according to President Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku. This move is part of the GFA’s broader strategy to enhance the quality of officiating in the domestic topflight league.

Speaking at a “Meet the Press” event on Friday, August 9, 2024, Okraku emphasized the FA’s commitment to improving the league and aligning it with international standards. “We are going to introduce VAR into our football. Whatever we will do to introduce VAR into football, we will, as part of our overall strategy for improving refereeing starting from our GPL, we will. It’s coming,” he stated.

The decision comes after the successful use of VAR in Ghana during the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, where a crucial penalty decision was overturned with the help of the technology. Additionally, VAR was utilized last season in the CAF Confederation Cup during Dreams FC’s knockout matches in Kumasi.

The implementation of VAR in the Ghana Premier League is seen as a significant step towards improving the integrity and quality of officiating, with the goal of making the league one of the best on the continent.