The Federation Internationale de Football Associations (FIFA) will hold an important meeting with representatives of the Ghana Football Association and relevant operatives regarding the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in Ghana’s domestic leagues.
The two-day meeting, scheduled for October 31 and November 1, 2024, will take place in Accra, with the full VAR project team from FIFA in attendance.
This initial meeting, labelled the VAR kick-off meeting, is a critical first step in FIFA’s Implementation Assessment Approval Program (IAAP), an essential process for any Member Association (MA) aiming to adopt VAR technology.
During the session, FIFA and GFA representatives will review comprehensive aspects of the VAR project and evaluate all necessary dependencies for its successful execution. Following the meeting, FIFA’s approval will mark the official go-ahead for VAR implementation in Ghana’s domestic leagues.
The FIFA delegation is set to arrive in Ghana on October 30, 2024. Key resource persons from FIFA include Inokuchi Takaaki and Michael Bailey, who will share expertise on the technology and procedures associated with VAR.
On the part of the Association, General Secretary Prosper Harisson Addo (Esq.) will lead a team that will include several high-ranking officials and key personnel 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).
FIFA has directed that the VAR Project Leader, the main Venue Media Officer, and the Referees Instructor must participate in this meeting. This requirement ensures that all critical stakeholders in the VAR project are fully informed and prepared for the technological and logistical demands of implementing VAR in domestic competitions.
The initiative to bring VAR to Ghanaian football reflects the commitment of the Association to enhancing the accuracy of Refereeing decisions and aligning with global standards in officiating. This meeting is expected to pave the way for VAR to be a effectively introduced into Ghana football as the Association continues with its efforts to enhance the game in the country.
