George Saijah, Chairman of the Referees Association of Ghana, has disclosed that referees officiating in the Ghana Premier League earn GHS 1,000 per game. This revelation has stirred debate, especially in light of concerns over whether referees might feel pressured to favor certain clubs due to insufficient pay.
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Saijah’s comments came during an investigation initiated by the Save Ghana Football Forum, where he clarified the payment structures for referees across the Ghana Premier League, Division One League, and the Women’s League. According to him, the GHS 1,000 fee is meant to cover transportation, officiating duties, hotel accommodation, and meals.
“The salary is a take-home of 1,000 cedis for Premier League referees. Division One and Women’s League referees get 750 cedis,” Saijah explained. He emphasized that the amount includes all necessary costs, stating, “The 1,000 cedis covers their transportation, officiating, hotel, and food.”
However, critics argue that when broken down, the expenses a referee incurs for each match could exceed what they’re being compensated. This raises concerns about whether referees are being paid enough to avoid financial pressures that could impact their impartiality.
The issue has sparked a broader conversation about whether the current compensation structures for referees are adequate and if there’s a need for reform to ensure fairness and integrity in officiating.
