The Greater Accra Regional Football Association (GARFA) will today officially welcome and honour FIFA Referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea following his outstanding performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco.
The honouring ceremony will be led by the GARFA Executive Council under the chairmanship of Samuel Aboabire and will take place at the Prisons Canteen, the regular meeting venue where Greater Accra referees gather every Tuesday to review and assess officiating performances from league matches played over the weekend.
Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea was Ghana’s sole referee representative at the continent’s flagship football tournament and delivered an exceptional display throughout the competition. His performance in the high-profile semi-final clash between Nigeria and host nation Morocco drew widespread praise, further cementing his reputation on the African refereeing stage.
With this achievement, Laryea becomes only the second Ghanaian referee in history to officiate an AFCON semi-final, following in the footsteps of retired FIFA Referee Ben Dwomoh.
Ghana has produced several distinguished referees who have officiated at the AFCON over the years, including Alex Quartey, Alex Kotey, Justice Yeboah, and David Laryea, among others.
Daniel Laryea’s consistency and excellence over the years, particularly at the AFCON, have earned him widespread acclaim, with many tipping him as a strong candidate for future FIFA World Cup appointment. His rise also reflects the impact of Ghana’s “Catch Them Young” refereeing initiative, which continues to produce promising officials in the domestic leagues.
As GARFA honours Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, the association hopes the occasion will inspire referees in the Greater Accra Region to emulate his dedication, discipline, and professionalism in order to elevate the region’s profile.
“He has made our region proud, and that is why we want to honour him,” GARFA Chairman Samuel Aboabire said. “He officiated excellently in the two matches he handled at the tournament, especially the semi-final. In my opinion, he even deserves a national honour.”