ACCRA — President John Dramani Mahama has warned that poor refereeing and perceptions of match manipulation are damaging Ghanaian football, arguing that questionable officiating is eroding public confidence in the domestic league and driving supporters away from stadiums.

Mahama said restoring trust in referees and ensuring that matches are decided fairly must become a priority for the Ghana Football Association and refereeing authorities if the Ghana Premier League is to regain its competitiveness and commercial appeal.

“Unfortunately, refereeing is one of the things that is destroying our football. The matches are played before they are played,” Mahama said.

The President was speaking at the Jubilee House during a meeting with players and officials of Ghana Premier League champions Medeama SC, Nations FC and Women's Premier League champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies ahead of their participation in CAF inter club competitions.

His remarks highlighted growing concerns about the credibility of domestic football and the consequences for clubs when supporters believe results could be influenced before players take to the field.

Mahama also referred to claims that some clubs budget for what is commonly described in Ghanaian football as “ways and means”, a phrase associated with attempts to gain improper advantages.

He did not identify particular clubs, referees or matches as having been manipulated.

Instead, the President focused on the wider damage caused when supporters lose confidence in the integrity of the competition.

“It is in our interest to make the matches competitive. The matches must be tough, and everybody must leave feeling that there was a neutral referee and that matches were won fairly,” he said.

MAHAMA DEMANDS BETTER REFEREEING

The President called on the GFA and Referees Association of Ghana to work together to improve officiating standards.

“I want the Referees Association of Ghana and the Football Association to work together to improve refereeing standards. Every match must be fairly officiated so that whoever wins does so on merit. That is the only way to restore confidence in our football,” Mahama said.

The President linked confidence in refereeing directly to the financial health of Ghanaian clubs.

When supporters believe matches are unfair, he argued, they become less willing to pay to attend games.

Lower attendance means reduced gate revenue for clubs already operating in a challenging commercial environment.

Restoring credibility, therefore, is not simply an issue for referees. It is central to rebuilding the Ghana Premier League as a competitive and commercially sustainable product.

GH¢684,000 SUPPORT FOR CONTINENTAL REPRESENTATIVES

Mahama also used the meeting to announce financial support for Ghanaian clubs preparing for continental competition.

A total of GH¢684,000 from the Sports Development Fund was presented to Medeama, Nations FC and Ampem Darkoa Ladies.

Medeama received GH¢342,000, equivalent to $30,000, while Nations FC received GH¢228,000, equivalent to $20,000.

Ampem Darkoa Ladies received GH¢114,000, equivalent to $10,000.

The President challenged the three clubs to improve Ghana's recent record in African club competitions and help rebuild the international reputation once enjoyed by the country's leading teams.

“There are many times that I have travelled to different countries and, once you are identified as a Ghanaian, somebody would shout, ‘Oh, Asante Kotoko,’ or ‘Hearts of Oak,’ or ‘Abedi Pele.’ It is something that sells a country's brand very well,” Mahama said.

Ghana's traditional giants once enjoyed considerable success in continental football, but the country's clubs have struggled to consistently reach the latter stages of major CAF competitions in recent years.

Mahama said stronger performances could help restore that reputation and promote Ghana internationally.

PRESIDENT CALLS FOR MORE INVESTMENT IN WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Mahama also questioned the disparity between investment in men's and women's football.

He argued that Ghana's women's teams deserve greater financial and institutional support given their achievements.

“Indeed, we have done much better in women's football than in men's football. Our women have won more trophies for us than the men, and yet we put all the money into men's football,” he said.

The President called for deliberate investment aimed at strengthening women's clubs and creating better opportunities for female players.

“In the spirit of affirmative action, we must deliberately support women's football and help bring the women's teams up,” Mahama said.

His comments came with Ampem Darkoa Ladies among the clubs receiving government support for continental competition.

MAHAMA WANTS COLTS FOOTBALL REVIVED

The President also called for renewed attention to grassroots football, particularly Ghana's traditional Colts system.

Colts football historically played a significant role in discovering and developing some of Ghana's leading players, but Mahama questioned why the system no longer has the prominence it once enjoyed.

“I do not know what happened to it, so I want to ask the Football Association what has happened to the Colts League. Call it the Colts League, and let us all help to sponsor it,” he said.

Mahama pledged to support Colts teams in his own constituency and hometown and encouraged others to invest in grassroots development.

He also raised concerns about Ghanaian clubs selling promising young players overseas too early.

The President argued that talented players should be encouraged to spend more time developing in Ghana, potentially gaining national team and international experience before moving abroad.

“We must find a way to keep our talented players a little longer, give them opportunities in the national team, allow them to gain international experience, and then let them move abroad after they have matured,” he said.

Keeping talented players at home for longer, he argued, could improve the quality of domestic football and make Ghanaian competitions more attractive to supporters.

GOVERNMENT PLANS NEW SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE

Mahama said the government had also allocated funding for 10 new stadia, including facilities in regions that currently lack major modern sporting infrastructure.

He identified Oti, Western North, Ahafo, Bono East, Savannah and North East among the regions expected to benefit.

The President said athletics, boxing and other sporting disciplines would also receive support as the Sports Development Fund becomes fully operational.

But his central message to football administrators was that infrastructure and investment must be accompanied by confidence in the integrity of competition.

For Ghanaian football to rebuild its domestic audience and international reputation, Mahama said supporters must believe that what happens on the field determines who wins.

He challenged the country's representatives in continental competition to help restore Ghana's standing.

“Go and recapture the glory days of Ghana football,” Mahama told the clubs.

“I want to travel abroad in future, say I am from Ghana, and hear people proudly mention the names of our clubs once again.”