Swedru All Blacks return to Ghana Premier League after 16 years

Swedru All Blacks United have finally made their way back to the Ghana Premier League after 16 long years. Known as The Black Magicians, the club’s hard work and determination have paid off, and fans across the country — especially in Swedru and Labadi — are filled with pride and excitement.

The team’s journey back to the top has not been easy, but their commitment and belief carried them through every challenge. One of the standout players in this campaign has been goalkeeper Clement Aryee, also known as MaGee CA40. He has been a strong wall at the back, keeping 13 clean sheets this season — the same impressive number he achieved last season. His consistency and leadership have played a big role in the team’s success.

From the early days of local football, people saw the potential in this club, and now they have proved everyone right. The return of All Blacks brings fresh energy to the Ghana Premier League and revives a name that many football lovers remember with pride.

As they prepare to compete at the highest level again, the whole Swedru community, together with loyal fans in Labadi and beyond, are celebrating this historic moment. The future looks bright for The Black Magicians, and the Premier League will surely feel their presence next season. Welcome back, Swedru All Blacks — the top flight has missed you.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Three popular combat sports that are practiced in Ghana were fully represented at the two day retreat for sports federations heads organised by the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) in Koforidua, the Eastern Region

The event took place in a cool, calm atmosphere where intermittent downpours soothed nerves and emotions at the Eastern Premier Hotel where Abdul Razak aka 'Commando' came for Kickboxing, Alhaji Dauda Fuseni Vice President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), and Mr. Abraham Kotei Neequaye President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) attended and contributed massively.

Also present was Mr. Ken Arthur. President of Ghana Judo, Mrs. Joyce Mahama of Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG) and other federation heads

The retreat achieved its main objective of bringing the Presidents together and knowing each other for effective networking and learning new things.

President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Richard Akpokavie, Esq who was the host commended all who attended and promised that the next four years will see an active GOC with the involvement and inclusion of all major stakeholders.

He said disciplines like Boxing, Judo and Swimming, Taekwondo and Athletics have often been represented at the Olympic Games, hence much support must be channeled to areas that Ghanaians have comparative advantage.

Mr. Chris Essilfie of the Olympians Association led a well informed resource team including Prof. Akwasi Sarfo Kantaka, Ms. Sussie Populampu, Naa Amorkor Amarteifio and Prince Azana of WADA Ghana to lead a federations supported plan on schematic areas like putting the athletes ahead of everything or at the centre, building capacity of stakeholders and enhancing the role of women, inclusivity and transparency in leadership with passion and integrity, conflicts resolution, anti - doping, funding for sports and building strategic relationship and partnership with the IOC, WADA, NSA, government, sponsors and others.

All the attendees hailed the programme, with President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Mr. Abraham Neequaye saying it was good to meet the presidents of other federations under one roof to share ideas and network.

Alhaji Dauda Fuseni said it was good to know exactly the problems of other federations, their challenges and achievements. He announced that the Black Rockets (national youth boxing team) were entering the finals at the African Youth Boxing Tournament in Guinea, while Abdul Razak of Ghana Kick Boxing stated that they are faced with financial and organizational challenges, however they will host the 2025 Homowo Championship in August. Mr. Ken Arthur also hinted that the Judo Association will go to Congress on June 28, 2025.

Mrs. Joyce Mahama urged all federations to give equal opportunities to their female athletes. Mr. Ernest Danso of Ghana Baseball noted that many young boys and girls are now deciding which sport they are most interested and can excel as many have chosen Baseball and they are doing very well.

Mr. Mohammed Muniru of the Swimming Association and Secretary General of the GOC said though his kids swim, he wants them to have a second sporting discipline and he thinks football is the deal.

By Sammy Heywood Okine                                                    

GFA President Kurt Okraku, a former FA Cup Chairman, Mr. Wilson Arthur, Chairman of the current FA Cup Committee and his members as well as sponsors, MTN are expecting an exciting super final between giant killers, Accra based Golden Kick and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, the Porcupine Warriors on June 15 at the University of Ghana.

Division One side, Golden Kick who are in the final of the MTN FA Cup for the first time in the club's history defeated Attram De Visser 3-1, while Kotoko secured a late 1-0 win against Berekum Chelsea. The winner qualifies for the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.

After beating the glorious Accra Hearts of Oak, Golden Kick advanced to the semifinals of the MTN FA Cup after defeating Karela United 5-3 on penalties at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Asante Kotoko striker Kwame Opoku said “For the FA Cup, we can’t go trophyless this season; no, it’s not happening. We are hoping that by the end of the season, we’ll lift a trophy. If not the league, then we must win the FA Cup for Asanteman.”

Head coach of Asante Kotoko Abdul Karim Zito is fully focused on winning the Ghana FA Cup title, making it clear that his team will give their all to defeat Golden Kick in the final on June 15.

Kotoko are now just one step away from clinching their first FA Cup title since 2017 and all eyes are on Zito.

His confidence is evident as he prepares his team for the crucial match against Golden Kick, who have made a surprising run to the final with a 3-1 win over Attram De Visser in their semifinal.

Zito’s message is simple: Kotoko’s focus is entirely on securing the win and taking the trophy to Kumasi.

"You can’t underrate any club until you get what you want, so I don’t care whether they are in Division One or not” I don’t care.

"I am going there for the cup, so whoever comes there [to the final], I am going to deal with it, I am going to fight it, I am going to make sure that I beat the team and then take the cup," Zito stated.

But followers of Golden Kick said in 2011 Asante Kotoko played FA Cup final with Nania FC, a Division one side and lost. In the season Nania fc wasn't the best but Kotoko couldn't beat them in the final.

In 2025, Asante Kotoko will play FA Cup final again to Division One side Golden kicks fc who manage to eliminate the FA Cup record holder Accra Hearts of Oak .

“By name Kotoko is ahead of Golden Kicks but on the field of play Golden Kicks is far ahead of Kotoko. In this case Golden kicks wining the final is eminent” said Golden Kicks top fan said.

Raymond Grippman, skipper of Golden Kick said they are coming like fire and will win the cup in style.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams, President of Ghana Tug of War Association and Pillow Fighting Championship in Ghana has celebrated this year's African Day, May 25 with an aerobics session and sanitation awareness programme at the Mampong Presby SHS in the Eastern Region.

In an interview he said the African Day is a special day and it ideal that students are always reminded to take their health and environment very serious and practice healthy lifestyle and cleanliness.

He said the Sanitation Train which has been moving from school to school will be back in grand style.

He appealed to companies to support so that it can be sustained.

He also congratulated the new President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.

He said sports administrators and the media must try to help them to achieve.

According to Olla, he chose the name GAS man because of his Sports Ambassadorial role his plays.

He said GAS means Ghana Ambassador of Sports.           

By Sammy Heywood Okine                                             

Team Tunisia Crowned Overall Champion at 2025 African Youth Boxing Championships

Team Tunisia were declared overall winners of the 2025 African Youth Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships, showcasing outstanding performances across multiple weight categories. South Africa placed second while Ghana took the third position.

The competition displayed the growing strength of youth boxing across the continent, and the final rankings reflect the dedication and hard work of all teams involved.

Team Ghana was made up of 18 years old Mathias Ashitey (Flyweight-51Kg), George Dowouna (Bantamweight-54Kg) and Desmond Pappoe (Middleweight-75Kg) All won Gold Medals for Ghana.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Committee for Professional Boxing Stakeholders (CPBS) consists of all the stakeholder bodies under the GBA membership has met today Sunday 25th May, 2025 to discuss matters affecting professional boxing in Ghana.

The Committee met at The Gym Boxing & Fitness Gym in Accra @2pm and discussed matters affecting Professional Boxing, the key issue discussed was the invitation by the leadership of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) based on the committee's (CPBS) letter to the GBA rejecting the set date for congress/ elections by the GBA until certain concerns are addressed.

The Committee (CPBS) concluded that they would be ready to meet the GBA leadership only on the conditions that the GBA responds to their letter formally and to invite them through a letter (but not just a word of mouth or through the media airwaves) for record purposes.

The Committee (CPBS) gives the GBA until noon Monday May 26, 2025 for the reply/ invitation before they could honor the said meeting slated same day at 4pm. The committee (CPBS) resolved that, until the GBA does the needful the said meeting is automatically suspended.

The meeting was attended by the following personalities representing their respective member bodies;

1. BOXING MANAGERS ASSOCIATION of GHANA;
2. Alhaji Moshud Zaid - Ag. Committee (CPBS) Chairman/ President
3. Ahmed Apedo, Secretary
4. Dauda Fuseni, Organiser
5. UNITED BOXING COACHES ASSOCIATION of GHANA
6. Charles Quartey, President
7. Ernest Ofori, Secretary
8. Ebenezer Adjei, Organiser
9. BOXING MATCHMAKERS / AGENTS ASSOCIATION of GHANA;
10. Abdul-Rasheed Williams, President
11. Solomon Otoo Lartey, Vice President
12. Laud Stephen Amihere, Member
13. Enoch Amponsah
14. PROMOTERS ASSOCIATION
15. Alex Ntiamoah-Boakye, President
16. Carl Lokko, Member
17. VETERAN BOXERS ASSOCIATION of GHANA
18. Razak Agorza, President
19. Percy Commey, Vice President
20. BOXERS ASSOCIATION (VOICE of GHANA PROFESSIONAL BOXERS)
21. Ayitey Powers, President
22. Patrick Allotey, Vice President
23. Stephen Okine, Deputy Secretary
24. Daniel Lartey, Member
25. BOXING RING OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION
26. Erasmus Owoo, Member
27. David Mills, Member

Mustapha Nettey & Augustus Dodoo represented the Ring Announcers & Boxing Writers Association of Ghana respectively.

Source: CPBS

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) successfully concludes its inaugural two-day strategic retreat with federation heads at the Eastern Premier Hotel, Koforidua, in the Eastern Region.

This landmark event marks the beginning of a series of engagements aimed at fostering collaboration and gaining firsthand insights from the federations to collectively advance the future of sports in Ghana.

The retreat commenced with the GOC President, Mr. Richard Akpokavie, leading participants through a comprehensive SWOT analysis of the GOC’s current position. This was followed by an inspiring keynote address delivered by the Honourable Minister for Sports & Recreation, Mr. Kofi Iddie Adams.

Key focus areas included:

* Athlete-first development and planning

* Capacity building across federations

* Promoting gender-balanced leadership in sports

* Driving inclusive, transparent, and values-driven governance

* Enhancing strategic partnerships with national and international stakeholders

* Establishing effective dispute resolution mechanisms

* Strengthening branding and marketing initiatives

* Structuring sustainable access to international funding

The GOC also welcomed the government’s commitment to the establishment of a dedicated Sports Fund and has begun laying the groundwork to support this crucial initiative.

The retreat concluded with a media engagement session on day two, providing journalists with context and clarity on the issues discussed—ensuring that future reportage will be grounded in accurate and strategic insights.

This is a significant step forward for Ghanaian sports, and the GOC remains committed to sustained dialogue and collaborative action with all stakeholders.

GOC Communications

Ghana’s boxing industry stands at a crossroads, and Ivan Bruce-Cudjoe (IBC) is ready to lead us all into a new era of growth, professionalism, and global excellence. As a seasoned businessman and respected promoter with a proven track record over the past eight years, IBC is bringing his deep-rooted passion and strategic vision to the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) presidency election in June 2025. His mission? To revitalize and expand Ghanaian boxing, ensuring that every aspiring boxer has the opportunity to excel, regardless of where they come from.

A Proven Champion of Ghanaian Boxing

IBC has already demonstrated his commitment to the sport through significant investments. He owns a state-of-the-art gym, equipped with a standard boxing ring and world-class facilities to prepare athletes for both local and international competitions. His boxing syndicate, CABIC Promotions and Management, has successfully organized high-profile boxing events, earning the SWAG Award for Promoter of the Year in 2019.

Under his leadership, Ghanaian boxers have fought in major international bouts in the United States and the United Kingdom, further enhancing the country’s reputation in global boxing circles.

Expanding Boxing Beyond Accra

For far too long, boxing has been concentrated in Accra, limiting opportunities for talent development in other regions. IBC is committed to decentralizing the sport by working closely with the National Sports Authority (NSA) to establish standard boxing gyms in all 16 regions of Ghana. Under his leadership, boxers aspiring to be national champions will be encouraged to fight in different regions, fostering competition and talent growth across the country.

Empowering Retired Boxers & Strengthening Stakeholder Collaboration

IBC recognizes the invaluable experience of retired boxers and wants to put their expertise to work. His administration will appoint experienced ex-boxers as mentors and advisors to nurture promising young talent. Additionally, IBC will organize Stakeholder Conferences to address key challenges in the industry, ensuring that the voices of boxers, promoters, coaches, and referees are heard.

Pushing for Welfare & International Partnerships

The boxing industry thrives when all stakeholders are adequately supported. IBC will advocate for a comprehensive welfare scheme that safeguards the interests of everyone in the sport, from athletes to officials. He also aims to appoint special envoys to collaborate with regional boxing confederations worldwide, ensuring Ghanaian boxing remains competitive and well-integrated on the global stage.

A Commitment to Producing a World Champion

IBC is not only focused on fixing the boxing industry but on delivering results. His ultimate goal is to groom a world-class boxer who will bring home a world title within his first term in office. By harnessing both local and international resources, providing structured training programs, and fostering collaboration with international boxing bodies, he is confident that Ghana will soon celebrate another boxing champion.

A Leader of Collaboration and Vision

IBC’s campaign is built on inclusivity, respect, and appreciation for all contributions made to Ghanaian boxing thus far. He expresses his deepest gratitude to the current executives of the GBA and all stakeholders who have helped shape the sport. His leadership will not be about division but about working together to build a stronger, fairer, and more successful boxing industry.

Join the Movement for Change

IBC’s candidacy represents a bold step toward a renewed and restructured GBA—one that truly serves its stakeholders. By supporting him, you are endorsing a vision that prioritizes expansion, fairness, and international success. Together, let’s make Ghanaian boxing a powerhouse that produces champions and inspires generations.

From Ivan Bruce - Cudjoe

Only three boxers represented Ghana at the recent 2025 African Youth Boxing Championship held in Conakry, Guinea from May 16 to 24.

18 years old Mathias Ashitey (Flyweight-51Kg), George Dowouna (Bantamweight-54Kg) and Desmond Pappoe (Middleweight-75Kg) all won Gold Medals for Ghana, so I was imagining if eight boxers had represented the nation.

So at the end of the tournament Ghana won the bronze for team placing and a cup to display.

Assistant coach of the national team, George Martey did a splendid work, leading and training them to achieve the remarkable feat.

Nine countries took part and Ghana’s Black Rocket won three gold medals with an assistant trainer heading the delegation. South Africa paraded many boxers and placed first.

As a nation that has won silver and bronze medals at the Olympic Games and collected massive laurels at Commonwealth and African Games we still have not realized that Boxing is one sport that God has blessed Ghana and we need to water this seed to grow and grow and grow like Cocoa.

Governments have come and gone, Ministers have come and gone, but the sport that keeps saving the face of the nation at the international level keeps suffering.

Although the Black Rockets, as the national youth boxing team is known, won three gold medals and placed third, they could have done better with the representative of more boxers to get exposed and the experience for the future.

Yours Truly is informed the team had to toil before flying to Conakry in West Africa, Guinea, due to lack of funds for transportation (airline tickets) and per diems.

I plead with the Sports & Recreation Minister, Hon. Kofi Iddi Adams to work on the Sports Fund very fast because that could be a visionary idea to solve some of the problems with Ghana Sport.

Recently it was another sad site to see the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) visiting the Kaneshie Sports Complex which is a venue that has and can produce many sports stars.

For sports, especially boxing to jell and the boxers to stay at the amateur level and fight for Ghana, there must be more investment and exposure for all the Black Rockets and Black Bombers not some.

I salute Mr. George Lamptey, former President of the GBF who is now a Technical Officer of the IBA. He was very instrumental in the success of the three Black Rockets. The Ghana Olympic Committee Board Member said Ghana should have registered more boxers.

The recent Retreat organized by the new leadership of the GOC in Koforidua discussed funding of sports and other important issues. They pledged and formed a federation’s led strategy to save Ghana Sports.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Desmond Pappoe confirmed the 3rd Gold Medal for Ghana when he knocked out his South African opponent Mighty Sangoni in the 2nd round of the Men’s Middleweight-75Kg at the 2025 Africa Youth Amateur Boxing Championship in Conakry-Guinea.

The Ghana National Youth Boxing Team, Black Rockets earlier had won two (2) Gold by Mathias Ashitey (Flyweight-51Kg) and George Dowouna(Bantamweight-54Kg).

George Dowuona who faced Korabza Yidnrkachew from Ethiopia in the finals of the 54Kg had it tough in the second round when he suffered a knockdown after securing a good first round.

He bounced back tough and handed Yidnrkachew a knockdown in the third round to secure Ghana's second gold medal in the African Youth Championship ongoing in Conakry, Guinea.

The team is handled by Coach Martey of the Seconds Out Gym.

According to Mustapha Nettey, Treasurer of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) by these results and standards, the future looks so bright with much prospect for the elite amateur boxing team of Ghana, the Black Bombers.

Vice President of the GBA Dauda Fuseni said the boys have made history which he is proud of, however he appealed to the Minister of Sports & Recreation to support the boxers in their preparations by exposure.

By Sammy Heywood Okine