President of the Ghana Football Association and CAF 2nd Vice-President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has launched a comprehensive insurance policy for referees.
The launch is a major step forward in welfare and protection for match officials across the country’s domestic leagues.
The initiative, introduced on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, fulfils a pledge he made during the 31st Ordinary Session of Congress in Prampram in August.
According to the GFA President, this is a significant moment for Ghanaian football, underlining the central role referees play in maintaining the integrity of the game.
He noted that the commitment made at Congress was deliberate, aimed at improving working conditions for referees nationwide. "I assured you that the Football Association under my leadership would take bold steps to elevate referee welfare, strengthen officiating standards and provide the necessary protection and motivation for the men and women who uphold the game’s integrity,' he said.
All 280 referees in the Premier League, Division One League and Women’s Premier League have been enrolled in the new scheme. The package covers Group Life, Critical Illness, Permanent Disability, Medical Expenses and Workmen’s Compensation. Additional benefits extend support to spouses, children and parents, along with funeral assistance.
"This is not just an insurance policy; it is a social protection package," Simeon-Okraku said, adding that it reflects the FA’s commitment to safeguarding referees and their families.
Alongside the insurance scheme, the GFA has also provided improved logistics. Every referee will receive two pairs of boots per season, three sets of uniforms and three sets of warm-up kits. He noted that this is the first time officials have been offered such a complete logistical package.
Referees will also continue to enjoy a 50 percent discount on official travel through the FA’s long-standing partnership with STC.
Simeon-Okraku outlined further strides in the development of officiating standards, including fitness tests, performance-based appointments, nationwide refresher courses and the expanded use of video analysis. He also highlighted progress in female officiating and the growth of the Catch Them Young programme.
He described the launch as the start of a new chapter for Ghanaian refereeing. "Today signals the beginning of a future where referees step onto the pitch with peace of mind, knowing that their health, safety and dignity are protected," he stated.
The event was attended by senior officials from Enterprise Life Assurance Company, the Referees Committee and male and female FIFA referees.
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