Referees from the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Bono Regions have begun the mandatory assessment process ahead of the 2026-27 football season, with a written examination held in Techiman to determine which officials will be eligible for appointments in Ghana Football Association competitions.
The examination is the first part of a wider evaluation programme designed to test referees’ understanding and application of the IFAB Laws of the Game. It forms a central part of the GFA’s referee development and qualification process, which aims to ensure consistently high officiating standards across all competitions.
Officials from the four regions, including Bono, formerly known as Brong Ahafo, took part in the assessment as they seek to satisfy the requirements set by the Association before the new campaign begins.
The written test will be followed by fitness examinations and further technical assessments. Those stages will be used to establish whether the referees are physically and technically prepared to take charge of matches during the 2026-27 season.
Only officials who complete every required stage successfully will be cleared to officiate in GFA competitions. The process is intended to assess more than a referee’s knowledge of the Laws of the Game, with physical condition and technical ability also regarded as essential to managing matches at the highest level.
Referees must be able to apply the laws accurately while dealing with the pace, intensity and demands of modern football. The assessment programme is therefore designed to provide a broad evaluation of their readiness before appointments are made for the new season.
The Ghana Football Association continues to place emphasis on the education and development of match officials through regular training, examinations and other assessment programmes. It also supports capacity-building work backed by FIFA and CAF as part of efforts to strengthen refereeing standards.
The Techiman exercise is one of several assessments being conducted across the country before the start of the new football calendar. The GFA Referees Department is using the nationwide programme to prepare a pool of qualified and well-equipped officials for the 2026-27 season.
The Association says its approach remains focused on continuous education, rigorous assessment and professional development. The aim is to ensure referees are properly prepared for the responsibilities of officiating in GFA competitions and can meet the increasing demands placed on match officials.
The Northern Sector assessment will therefore serve both as a qualification exercise and as part of the broader preparations for the new campaign. Referees who meet the required standards in the written, fitness and technical components will be considered for appointments once the season begins.
