FIFA is set to hold a critical meeting with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to discuss the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology into Ghana’s domestic football leagues. The meeting, which will take place over two days on October 31 and November 1, 2024, in Accra, will involve the full FIFA VAR project team.
Referred to as the “VAR kick-off meeting,” this session is an essential part of FIFA’s Implementation Assessment Approval Program (IAAP). The IAAP is a mandatory program that all Member Associations (MAs) must complete to officially adopt VAR technology. This meeting will play a crucial role in assessing the requirements needed to effectively roll out VAR within Ghana’s leagues.
The discussions will include thorough evaluations of the technological, logistical, and operational aspects of VAR, with a particular focus on ensuring Ghana’s preparedness for this advanced refereeing system. FIFA experts Inokuchi Takaaki and Michael Bailey are among the officials expected to arrive in Ghana on October 30, 2024, to offer guidance on the technology and address implementation challenges. Leading the GFA team is General Secretary Prosper Harisson Addo, accompanied by senior officials such as Alex Kotey (Head of Referees and VAR Team Leader), Emmanuel Aglago (VAR Instructor), Marian Mensah (Head of Legal Affairs), Francis Adu (Head of IT), Julius Emunah (Head of Competitions), Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe (Head of PR and Strategy), and Christine Ziga (Chairperson of the Referees Committee). Together, these leaders will work alongside FIFA representatives to create a feasible roadmap for Ghana’s integration of VAR.
The GFA’s commitment to introducing VAR reflects its goal of enhancing officiating standards and aligning with global practices in football. This pivotal meeting is expected to mark the beginning of an extensive process aimed at improving transparency and fairness in Ghanaian football. With the backing of FIFA’s IAAP, Ghanaian officials hope to establish the foundations for VAR technology that could greatly impact the dynamics of local matches and bring them closer to international standards.
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