The constitution of the Referees Association of Ghana (RAG), among other powers and duties, describes the head of the RAG as an executive chairman.
That means a lot. But that does not mean he should be left alone to make policy statements on FM stations or grant interviews to the media. Whatever information he wants to disclose concerning the RAG and referees should have been discussed and agreed upon at an executive committee meeting.
It is awkward and inappropriate to hear and learn of any referee’s affairs from the media. And this should guide all the other members of the executive committee.
The same protocol should govern any meeting with any authority at the GFA, except that the meeting is at the instance of the GFA chairman or general secretary. Indeed, any meeting or discussion must be promptly disclosed to the rest of the executive committee members.
Individualism and self-importance must give way to collective executive decisions and pronouncements.
The growth and development of referees largely depends on the ability and professional competence of all members of the executive committee, working together. The challenge for the present and future executive members of the RAG is clearly stated in the association’s constitution. Principal among them is to organise and develop referees where they are, ensure and maintain good standards, conduct, and discipline. Also, technically to organise refresher courses and seminars aimed at improving upon the standard of refereeing.
Referees contribute a lot, financially, towards their training and the running cost of the management of the association’s programmes, including meeting the expenses of their executives at the national, regional, and district levels. They, therefore, expect honest and frequent financial accounting of their contributions. And this was one of the main problems in the past.
Fortunately, it appears the mishandling of the finances has gone with the past. There have been no adverse complaints about the present executive. The current national treasurer has so far handled the association’s accounts with the expected professional competence. It means the fish is not rotten in the head and should be able to translate his honesty to the regional and district levels.
Generally, all the individual members of the present executive have got characters of good report. The only problem, it appears is the self-egos and the “I am this and that” syndrome. Ghana football and management have changed for the better. The members of the RAG executive must also change.