The General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Prosper Harrison Addo, has officially opened the 2025 FIFA Male Young Talent Referees Course at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
The capacity-building programme, spearheaded by FIFA, runs until July 29, 2025, and brings together 40 promising young referees selected through the GFA’s flagship “Catch Them Young” refereeing initiative. These rising officials have already gained valuable experience officiating major youth competitions such as the KGL Inter-Regional Championship and the Division One League Super Cup.
The training is being conducted by FIFA Technical Instructor Jason Damso and FIFA Fitness Instructor Maroua Hannachi. It features a comprehensive mix of theoretical sessions and practical applications, aimed at enhancing the referees’ technical proficiency and decision-making under real-game conditions.
Participants are undergoing fitness tests, written and video-based assessments focused on critical areas of modern refereeing, including handball interpretation, offside decisions, and overall match management. The course also includes practical match simulations, allowing instructors to assess and rank the performance of each referee in real-time scenarios.
A special session on physical conditioning is also included in the curriculum to educate participants on maintaining peak fitness levels throughout the season, an essential component for consistent, high-quality officiating.
In his keynote address, GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo expressed deep appreciation for the progress and professionalism displayed by the young referees under the “Catch Them Young” programme. He reaffirmed the GFA’s commitment to developing elite officiating talent, not only for domestic competitions but also for the global stage.
“You are the future of refereeing—not just for Ghana, but for FIFA and CAF. The President, the Executive Council, and the entire football family are incredibly proud of your journey so far,” he stated.
“We will continue to invest in your growth and ensure the sustainability of the high standards you are establishing. Ghanaians believe in you and your potential. Learn all you can from this FIFA course and your excellent instructors, your success is our shared goal.”
Mr. Addo concluded by officially declaring the course open, urging participants to remain open-minded, committed, and ambitious in their pursuit of refereeing excellence.
The course is being coordinated by the Head of the GFA Referees Department, Mr. Alex Kotey. It is expected to significantly enhance the technical and physical capabilities of Ghana’s next generation of referees and elevate the overall quality of officiating in the country.
GFA Communications
