Bechem United president Kingsley Owusu Achau has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to strengthen its monitoring of referees and match commissioners in an effort to restore confidence in Ghana Premier League officiating.

Achau believes credible refereeing is essential to making domestic football more attractive to supporters and increasing attendances at league matches.

Speaking on Asempa FM, he said fans would be more willing to attend matches if they trusted that games were being officiated fairly.

“Referees play an important role in our football. If the game is interesting enough to attract fans to the park, then they know that the game isn’t predetermined,” he said.

However, Achau also raised concerns about alleged bribery in Ghanaian football, claiming that improper payments to referees and match commissioners have occurred within the game.

“Every club manager in Ghana, including myself, has, in one way or another, paid bribes to referees and match commissioners,” he alleged.

He did not provide specific evidence to support the claim, but argued that the GFA should increase scrutiny of match officials and those responsible for overseeing matches.

Achau also called for greater attention to the conduct of match commissioners, saying they could themselves be vulnerable to compromise.

“There should be some monitoring of the match commissioners’ integrity because sometimes they are compromised,” he said.

The Bechem United president believes improved officiating could have a wider impact on Ghanaian football, including increased stadium attendances and a reduction in incidents of hooliganism.

“Good officiating is crucial in increasing stadium attendance and also minimising hooliganism,” he added.

He argued that controversial decisions can heighten tensions among supporters and, in some cases, contribute to confrontations at match venues.

Achau therefore urged the GFA to take firm disciplinary action against referees whose performances fall below the required standards.

“So if the GFA can punish referees who officiate badly, then it eases the fans and prevents them from hurting each other due to wrong or bad officiating, so the challenge is on the FA,” he said.

His comments come as Ghanaian football continues to face concerns over officiating standards, matchday attendances and the overall financial sustainability of the domestic game.

For Achau, improving the integrity and quality of refereeing should be a priority for the GFA as it seeks to rebuild trust in the Ghana Premier League and encourage more supporters to return to stadiums.

Bechem United will begin their 2026/27 Ghana Premier League campaign at home against defending champions Bibiani GoldStars on Sunday, 6 September.

The match at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 local time