FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE
PROFESSIONAL BOXING STAKEHOLDERS
After a Stakeholder Meeting on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at The Gym Boxing & Fitness Club, the major stakeholders in professional boxing in Ghana, consisting of Professional Boxers Association of Ghana, United Boxing Coaches Association of Ghana, Boxing Promoters Association of Ghana, Matchmakers & Agents Association, Veteran Boxers Association, Boxing Ring Officials Association of Ghana, Boxing Managers Association of Ghana as well as members of the GBA Executive Board vehemently rejects the Interim Management Committee (IMC) to replace the current GBA Executive Board in running professional boxing in Ghana as well as the suspension of all boxing activities following the demise of professional boxer – Ernest Akushey aka Bahubali. We would like to use this opportunity to once again extend our condolences to the bereaved family and the boxing fraternity.
We are of the view that the NSA has overstepped its boundaries with its decision to replace the current Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Board with an Interim Management Committee (IMC). This is because as the NSA has no such mandate since the GBA is governed by a constitution and it is only the congress of the GBA that has the power to elect board members to supervise professional boxing in the country. The decision of the NSA is a complete overthrow of the GBA constitution and for that matter cannot be countenanced by us.
We also believe any decision to be taken concerning professional boxing in Ghana should be within the remits of the GBA constitution and not in the manner with which the NSA seeks to micromanage the GBA. We therefore find the purported suspension of boxing activities and the replacement of the GBA board highly irrational and unlawful. The decision of the NSA is primarily influenced by the unfortunate demise of Ernest Akushey (deceased) subsequent to this last bout with Jacob Dickson. It is important to however emphasize that the deceased passed on eleven clears days after the said bout, and all necessary medical protocols were undertaken before and after the bout. Furthermore, till present, the cause of his death is unknown and the NSA cannot purport to premise its decision on that.
As Professional Boxing Stakeholders we acknowledge the importance of safety reforms and welcome any such reforms to protect our boxers in and out of the ring.
We firmly believe that any reforms recommended by the Seven (7) Member Ministerial Committee on the death of Nigerian boxer – Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, albeit we have just recently been furnished with a copy of the said report must be done hand-in-hand with the GBA. It is absolutely outrageous to set aside the GBA and replace its board with IMC. This is a total affront to the constitution of the GBA.
In this regard, the stakeholders request the NSA to rescind its decision with immediate effect and call for a round table and all inclusive discussion, failure to which we shall be compelled to undertake the following to press home our demands;
1. Embark on a massive 3-day protest and present our petition to the presidency.
2. Close all boxing gyms and boycott all professional boxing in the country.
3. Not to co-operate with the purported IMC.
4. Mount a legal challenge against the NSA.
We wish to state categorically that the decision of the NSA is particularly influenced by their clandestine attempt to impose leaders on the GBA. We shall however resist any oppressor rule with all the legal arsenals at our disposal. If this is about safety protocols and enhancement of boxing in Ghana, the right approach should be collaboration and not usurpation.
Issued by:
Committee for Professional Boxing Stakeholders (CPBS)
Accra
28th September, 2025.
