Renowned Ghanaian referee Joyce Appiah Obenewa has announced her retirement after a distinguished 15-year career, effective August 1, 2024. Beginning as an assistant referee and rising to the role of center referee in 2013, Obenewa has officiated at the highest levels of Ghanaian football and represented her country on the international stage, including in WAFU and World Cup Youth Championship qualifiers.

In a heartfelt letter to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Obenewa expressed her gratitude for the opportunities she received and stated that it was time to make way for the next generation of referees. The GFA has praised her contributions and plans to continue involving her in the development of women’s refereeing. While her retirement marks the end of an era for Ghanaian women’s football, Obenewa’s legacy as a trailblazer will continue to inspire future generations.