The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has restricted betting companies from offering odds on domestic football matches to reduce financial incentives that could influence results and address match-fixing concerns.
GFA President Kurt Okraku announced the position during the association’s 32nd Ordinary Congress in Prampram on 20 August, Xinhua reported. Addressing delegates, he said the GFA had not licensed betting companies to offer odds on domestic leagues.
“No betting company has been licensed to place odds on domestic games,” Okraku said.
The association said restricting betting activity around domestic fixtures would limit opportunities for money to be used to manipulate results. It added that the measure is intended to support greater transparency among clubs, players, coaches, officials and supporters, and safeguard the integrity of the Ghana Premier League.
The move is part of the GFA’s ongoing response to match manipulation and risks linked to betting. Its integrity framework is designed to shield competitions from attempts to alter match results or unlawfully interfere with games.
Under the framework, the GFA provides channels for reporting suspected match manipulation. Its rules also prohibit participants in GFA competitions from betting.
The GFA’s latest position follows an integrity briefing conducted by its Integrity Unit in June for players and officials of the Black Stars ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The mandatory session covered the risks of match manipulation, methods used by fixers to approach players, and the consequences for individuals and teams involved in manipulation or corruption. Participants were also given guidance on recognising approaches through messages, third parties, and offers of financial or material benefits in return for influencing match outcomes.
Players and officials were reminded that betting on football is prohibited, whether directly or indirectly, and were cautioned against sharing inside information. The briefing highlighted injuries, team selection and tactical plans as material that could be used for betting or match manipulation.
The GFA’s Integrity Officer also highlighted confidential reporting channels available 24 hours a day, with participants assured of anonymity and protection when reporting suspicious activity.
The betting restriction was announced ahead of the 2026-27 Ghana Premier League season, due to start in early September and continue through May 2027.
For the upcoming campaign, the GFA has set stronger club finances, better infrastructure, grassroots development, player welfare, governance and commercialisation among its domestic football priorities.
In the 2025-26 Ghana Premier League season, 186 matches were produced for broadcast on multiple platforms. Of these, 75 were broadcast live, and 111 were covered through non-live telecasts. The GFA also increased media coverage of the Women’s Premier League and Division One League.