George Saijah, Chairman of the Referees Association, has revealed that referees officiating in the Ghana Premier League receive GHS 1,000 per match.
This disclosure comes amid growing concerns regarding the performance of referees in Ghana’s domestic leagues, including the Premier League.
There is increasing suspicion within the football community that some referees might be pressured into unethical practices due to their low salaries.
In response to these concerns, Saijah clarified that Premier League referees earn GHS 1,000 for each game, while those in the Division One League and Women’s League receive GHS 750 per match.
“The take-home pay is 1,000 cedis for Premier League referees, while Division One League and Women’s League referees earn 750 cedis,” he stated during an investigation into a petition submitted by the Save Ghana Football Forum in February.
The GHS 1,000 payment, he explained, encompasses transportation, officiating, food, and accommodation costs, which means referees must manage their expenses within that amount.
Concerns about officiating have plagued Ghanaian football for years, highlighted by the 2018 Anas “Number 12” exposé, which uncovered corruption within the refereeing system as a significant issue impacting the sport.
