It is official. For the first time in the history of Ghanaian football, the 2024 MTN FA Cup final will be officiated entirely by women, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) have confirmed
In a major demonstration of gender equality perhaps not anticipated by even the MTN sponsors who previously appealed for the inclusion of female referees in the competition, Rita Boateng Nkansah has been appointed as the centre referee for Sunday’s cup final between Bono Regional rivals, Nsoatreman FC and just relegated Bofoakwa Tano.
The decisive fixture scheduled for the University of Ghana Stadium, Legon will also see Alice Farizua Chakule man the lines with Patricia Kyeraa as assistant referees whilst Juliet Appiah serves in the 4th referee’s role.
Naa Odofoley Nortey, a certified FIFA /CAF match commissioner, will supervise the game to complete the full female officiating line-up.
This may be more than the MTN sponsors bargained for when they requested for female representation in officiating during the draw for the quarter and semi finals back in March.
“As we move unto the next stage of this year’s competition, we would like to propose to the FA to consider gender inclusivity in its officiating,” MTN Chief Marketing Officer, Noel Kojo-Ganson had urged.
“After celebrating International Women’s Day so beautifully, we propose that the FA considers using an all-female officiating team, to ensure that our ladies are not left out of the excitement,” he explained.
Even though there was no female representation among the match officials for four quarter and 2 semi final games since, the august request has been answered in big fashion with FIFA referee Rita Boateng Nkansah, who just got back home from a CAF Elite Referees Course in Egypt, set to lead the line.
The stage had been set and Sunday evening, the ideal location to be definitely has to be the University Stadium in Legon where Nsoatreman and Bofoakwa will battle for the chance to become the new MTN Ghana FA Cup champions.
