Ministry of Sports & Recreation And NSA Safeguarding Ghana Boxing Authority

... A stitch In Time Saves Nine, Because Boxers Are Training

In an effort to safeguard, protect and improve upon sports (boxing) activities in Ghana, the National Sports Authority (NSA) Director General, Mr. Yaw Ampofo Ankrah acting on the instructions of the Minister of Sports and Recreation. Hon.Kofi Adams wrote a letter on June 4 to the Ghana Boxing Authority authorising them to postpone their impending Congress and Elections, scheduled for July 12 and 16 respectively.

Following the death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwsegun Olanrewaju on 29th March 2025, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation set up a seven man inquiry committee to investigate and bring recommendations to reform the sport in other to avoid future occurrences that could tarnish the image of the nation.

The NSA directed that if the GBA does not abide by the direction it's license would be revoked.

This directive has not gone down well with some boxing stakeholders and they have labelled it as interference, while others feel there is the need to straighten up some structures and reform the Ghana Boxing Authority.

Most are of the view that despite the fact that the GBA is an autonomous body, it still needs the supervision and advise of the National Sports Authority and Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

For nations in the third world, with bad economies and poor remuneration, they even need government support and backing, not only financially but on the protocol and diplomatic levels especially when Ghanaian boxers are going to fight abroad or a foreigner is coming to Ghana.

The immediate past President of the GBA, Mr. Abraham Kotei Neequaye held a Press Conference and declared to fight the NSA DG and Minister if they dare involve themselves in activities of the GBA.

Meanwhile acting President, Referee Roger Barnor is yet to declare whether he will comply with the NSA instructions.

As stakeholders we humbly plead for coolness of heads and tempers not to allow some private interests to deprive the many boxers, coaches, cutmen, ring officials, matchmakers. media and promotions their daily bread.

Simply we call for peace and unity for the sport to move on smoothly. Boxing business cannot be halted, there are promotions lined up, like the Best of Bukom coming up on August 23.

The recent event staged by Legacy Rise Sports Promotions on June 13 where celebrities and business mongols Anthony Joshua, King Promise and Osei Kwame Despite were present shows that Boxing is really the gold mine that I have always been talking and writing about.

There is a saying 'A stitch in time saves nine" so let's tread cautiously and save our sport and business.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Boxing group in Ghana and Ghana Boxing Supporters Union have called for an amicable solution of all the problems and misunderstandings for the sports to move on.

By Sammy Heywood Okine