GFA, PFAG hail minimum wage breakthrough
Ghanaian footballers are set for a major boost after the Ghana Football Association (GFA) unveiled a landmark minimum wage policy for players in the Premier League, Division One League and Women’s Premier League, a move hailed as a potential game-changer by the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG).
The new rules, agreed after months of consultation and following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PFAG, set out minimum net monthly salaries of GH¢1,500 for Premier League players and GH¢700 for those in the Division One and Women’s leagues.
The figures will take effect with all new contracts signed in the next registration window, while players already tied to deals will benefit from the start of the 2026/27 season.
PFAG’s advocacy
For years, the PFAG has campaigned for standard contracts and fairer treatment of players, and its Head of Player Relations, Yussif Alhassan Chibsah, believes the new measures could be the catalyst for lasting change.
“For years, we pushed for standard contracts and minimum salaries. Some clubs exploited players with contracts containing ambiguous, even bogus clauses"
"The standard contract now aligns with FIFA regulations – fair and balanced, without favouring any party. Coupled with the minimum wage, it will give players stability and security they’ve never had,” Chibsah explained to the Graphic Sports.
The former Black Stars midfielder believes the new wage floor could be transformative if properly enforced. He urged the GFA to guarantee payments by using a portion of the GH¢1 million sponsorship package earmarked for clubs.
“That way, no player goes four or five months unpaid. Our local footballers won’t be tempted to flee to neighbouring leagues for peanuts.
Instead, they’ll stay, develop and strengthen the competitiveness of our domestic game,” he stressed.
For Chibsah and the PFAG, the ripple effect could be huge, boosting the youth national teams, improving club performances in continental competitions and restoring Ghana’s stature as a continental force.
“If this policy is implemented effectively, we’ll retain talent longer, improve team cohesion and gradually, Ghana will once again become a force to reckon with – both at club level and in youth internationals,” he said with optimism.
GFA’s commitment
The GFA, led by President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, sees the policy as a cornerstone of its efforts to professionalise the domestic game.
“This reflects our firm commitment to protecting the welfare of footballers and rewarding their talent fairly. By introducing minimum salaries, we are raising standards, strengthening the value of the Ghanaian game and creating a more professional and sustainable future for our players and clubs alike,” Mr Simeon-Okraku declared.
The PFAG believes that the long-term impact of the policy will be seen in stronger domestic leagues, better retention of players and improved cohesion in the youth national teams, both key ingredients for giving Ghanaian football a stronger footing on the continent.
“Gradually, we’ll be a force to reckon with again at club level and with our youth teams. This policy can be a true game-changer,” Chibsah stated.
