In a groundbreaking move for Ghanaian football, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to announce the first batch of professional referees who will be employed on a full-time basis.

This historic development was revealed by GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku during the 30th Ordinary Congress of the association, held at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence in Prampram on Tuesday.

The initial batch will consist of five male and five female referees, marking the first time that referees in Ghana will be engaged as full-time professionals. This initiative is part of the GFA's broader strategy to enhance the quality and professionalism of officiating in Ghanaian football.

President Simeon-Okraku emphasised that this move is crucial for the development of football in the country, as it will allow referees to focus entirely on their duties without the distraction of other occupations. "This is a significant step in our efforts to professionalize all aspects of football in Ghana. By employing referees on a full-time basis, we are ensuring that they have the time, resources, and support needed to perform at the highest level," he stated.

The introduction of full-time referees is expected to improve the overall standard of officiating in the country, which has been a key area of focus for the GFA. The association has been working tirelessly to address concerns about refereeing in Ghana, and this latest initiative is seen as a positive step toward achieving that goal.

The GFA's decision to include both male and female referees in this program also reflects its commitment to gender equality in football.

The official announcement of the first batch of full-time referees will be made in the coming days, as it represents a new era for refereeing in Ghana.

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