Sports · Godfred Anku Kaali
Sports minister calls for stronger action against match manipulation and hooliganism
Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has called for stronger measures to restore confidence in Ghana’s football competitions, particularly in the areas of officiating, match manipulation and hooliganism.
Speaking at the 32nd Ordinary Congress of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, Mr. Adams said the credibility of football competitions depends heavily on the confidence supporters have in the results.
He acknowledged measures introduced by the GFA to address match manipulation and betting-related risks, including integrity structures, training for referees and match commissioners, the appointment of integrity officers and channels for confidential reporting.
However, Mr. Adams questioned whether these interventions have resulted in a corresponding increase in public confidence in football competitions, given continuing allegations and suspicions surrounding match manipulation, betting-related influence and questionable officiating.
He said while referees can make honest mistakes, persistent poor decision-making and repeated concerns about the competence or independence of match officials could undermine confidence in the league.
“A league whose results are constantly questioned becomes difficult to sell,” he said.
The Minister called for referees to be protected from intimidation, abuse and violence but said such protection must be accompanied by accountability, continuous assessment, transparent performance management and consequences where standards are consistently not met.
According to him, club officials who publicly confront referees, aggressively enter the field or create tension around disputed decisions can contribute to an atmosphere that may later become uncontrollable.
Mr. Adams said football authorities must create an environment where parents can confidently take their families to stadiums knowing they will be safe.
“Nobody should leave home to watch football and fail to return home because of football,” he said.
He stressed that stadium safety is not only a security issue but also a commercial concern, explaining that violence can discourage families from attending matches, make sponsors reluctant to associate their brands with competitions and affect broadcasters and match officials.
Mr. Adams said efforts to revive stadium attendance must therefore go hand in hand with measures to protect supporters and match officials.