The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially begun the journey to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in Ghana's football competitions, holding a pivotal two-day kickoff meeting with FIFA’s VAR team.

A delegation from FIFA, including Inokuchi Takaaki and Michael Bailey, met with GFA officials to outline the Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP), which provides a structured roadmap for adopting VAR technology.

The meeting was opened by GFA Deputy General Secretary, Ms. Ama Brobey-Williams, who extended greetings from GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku and General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo.

During the session, Inokuchi Takaaki provided an overview of the FIFA Technology Unit and the IAAP, explaining essential phases, from administrative tasks to training, approval, and ongoing monitoring.

Ghana’s VAR Team Lead, Mr. Alex Kotey, updated attendees on the groundwork already laid, including collaborations with VAR providers and infrastructure evaluations.

FIFA’s Michael Bailey shared lessons from global VAR rollouts, emphasizing challenges like technical gaps and the need for clear, proactive communication to ensure successful implementation.

Bailey reiterated the FIFA VAR philosophy, which centers on improving officiating quality and upholding game integrity. He advised addressing potential obstacles early to ensure a smooth process.

Both Takaaki and Bailey underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement, advising the GFA to involve clubs, referees, match commissioners, media, supporters, and stadium officials from the start.

Interactive simulations added practical insights, helping participants visualize VAR’s impact in real-game scenarios.

Attendees included key GFA officials, such as Referees Manager Mr. Alex Kotey, Legal Director Marian Mensah, Head of Strategy and PR Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe, and Referees Committee Chair Christine Zigah, along with other technical and administrative representatives.

The meeting concluded with support from GFA President Simeon-Okraku and General Secretary Addo, who both emphasized their commitment to rapid VAR integration. A roadmap, to be spearheaded by Alex Kotey, will guide the GFA’s next steps.

This move marks a significant commitment by the GFA to bolster officiating quality and uphold fairness in Ghanaian football.