VAR in Ghana: GFA meets FIFA delegation over implementation in Ghana

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), led by its president Kurt Okraku, met with the FIFA VAR delegation in a two-day meeting for the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in Ghanaian football.

At the meeting, Inokuchi Takaaki of the FIFA VAR delegation outlined the FIFA Technology Unit and IAAP administrative requirements, preparation and training, approval, implementation, and monitoring.

Michael Bailey, also of the FIFA VAR delegation, emphasized improving refereeing quality, pointed out the challenges that could be encountered, and called for them to be dealt with swiftly.

Prior to Bailey’s submissions, Alex Kotey, Ghana’s VAR team lead, who would have to draft a “preparations roadmap,” presented an update on the country’s preparations to take on the technological aspect of refereeing.

Participants in the meeting were Referees Manager Mr. Alex Kotey, Director [Legal] Marian Mensah, Head of Strategy and Public Relations Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe, Chair of the Referees Committee Christine Zigah, Referees Instructor and Assessor Emmanuella Aglago, Deputy Head of IT Joel Ahadjie, Maxwell Caesar of the GFA Competitions Department, and Head of GFA Audiovisual Unit Emmanuel Osei.