For 20 weeks now, Referees in Ghana have not been paid but are still officiating games – Rt Referee Owusu Mensah Kalla reveals
In a shocking revelation, retired Ghanaian referee Owusu Mensah Kalla has brought attention to a growing crisis affecting referees in the country.
According to Kalla, for the past 20 weeks, referees in Ghana have not been paid for their services, despite continuing to officiate local football matches. Kalla, who has decades of experience in football officiating, is now calling on the relevant authorities to immediately address the issue and ensure that referees are paid for their work.
Kalla, who retired after serving as a referee for over 20 years speaking on Kessben FM’s Midfield Action with Joe Laka expressed deep concern for the well-being of current referees.
The delayed payments are not only damaging the morale of referees but also threatening the overall development and professionalism of the sport in Ghana.
Referees are often required to travel long distances, sometimes to remote locations, to officiate matches. Without the promise of timely payment, this can become financially unsustainable for many of them.
Kalla is calling on the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Sports Ministry, and other relevant authorities to urgently address the issue and ensure that referees are compensated for their work.