Leading Ghanaian boxing promoter and manager Samuel Anim Addo has issued an urgent appeal for immediate elections, cautioning that continued delays threaten to deepen the crisis in the country’s professional boxing sector.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic and Graphic Sports, Mr Anim Addo—who manages newly crowned IBF Continental Africa Featherweight champion John Laryea—emphasized that the Interim Management Committee’s (IMC) three-month mandate lapsed on December 29, 2025.
“The IMC assumed office on September 29, 2025, with a mandate ending December 29. We formally submitted a letter to professional boxing stakeholders requesting a concrete roadmap toward elections, yet no response has been forthcoming,” he explained.
Mr Anim Addo underscored that elected leadership is essential to restore proper governance, create sustainable earning opportunities for boxers, and reverse the sport’s troubling decline.
“We are appealing directly to the Minister of Youth and Sports to intervene and ensure due process is followed. The Minister has consistently demonstrated openness to hearing all perspectives, and we are confident he will facilitate a resolution,” he stated.
He further advocated for strict adherence to the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) constitution, highlighting that countless young Ghanaians depend on boxing for their livelihoods, and that structured administration would benefit both athletes and the broader national interest.
Professional boxing in Ghana has remained suspended since the devastating death of super-middleweight boxer Ernest “Bahubali” Akushey in September 2025. The tragedy—marking the second ring fatality within six months—prompted the National Sports Authority (NSA), in coordination with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, to impose a nationwide halt on all boxing events.
In response, a nine-member IMC was established under the chairmanship of Samir Captan, with boxing legend Azumah Nelson serving as vice chairman and special technical advisor. The committee was tasked with developing comprehensive safety and health protocols for the sport.
With the committee’s tenure now expired and no elections on the horizon, stakeholders led by Mr Anim Addo are escalating pressure for the installation of permanent leadership and the resumption of professional boxing activities.
