Alex Kotey Aims to Introduce VAR Before End of Tenure
The Referees Manager of the Ghana Football Association, Alexander Kotey, has expressed a strong commitment to introducing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system into Ghanaian football before the end of his tenure.
VAR has become an integral part of modern football, widely praised for helping officials make more accurate decisions and reducing critical errors during matches. Many leagues and major tournaments across the world have adopted the technology to improve officiating standards.
In Ghana, controversial refereeing calls in competitions such as the Ghana Premier League and the Ghana Division One League have frequently triggered debates among supporters and stakeholders. These incidents have fueled growing calls for the adoption of VAR to bring greater transparency and consistency to match officiating.
The issue has also attracted attention from the leadership of the GFA, with association president Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku recently voicing concerns about the standard of refereeing in domestic competitions and promising reforms aimed at raising the bar.
Kotey, who has served as the FA’s Referees Manager for the past five years, believes embracing technology is essential if Ghanaian football is to align with global officiating standards.
“Refereeing in modern football is heavily driven by technology. Over the next five years, I want to ensure the implementation of VAR in our game. It is one key thing on my heart,” Kotey told GFA media in an interview.
Beyond introducing VAR, Kotey also has a long-term vision for Ghanaian refereeing. He hopes the country will one day produce a match official capable of handling the final of the FIFA World Cup — an achievement that would represent a historic breakthrough for the nation’s referees.
If realized, the introduction of VAR could mark a significant turning point for Ghana’s domestic competitions, helping improve decision-making and restoring confidence in officiating across the local game.
