The National Sports Authority (NSA), in consultation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has announced an immediate suspension of all boxing activities in Ghana following the tragic passing of professional boxer Ernest “Bahubali” Akushey.
The decision, communicated in a press statement dated September 25, 2025, is aimed at safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of athletes. The NSA stressed that the suspension reflects its joint commitment with the Ministry to prioritize athlete protection in the wake of recent incidents.
According to the statement, plans are already underway for sweeping reforms in the sport, including the establishment of a nine-member Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee boxing, alongside a comprehensive five-year safety and development plan.
These reforms are expected to strengthen medical, technical, and regulatory procedures, ensuring that when the sport resumes, it does so under safer and more professional conditions aligned with global standards.
“The suspension may present immediate challenges, but it remains a necessary step to protect lives, preserve the integrity of the sport, and secure its future,” the NSA said, urging stakeholders—promoters, coaches, officials, athletes, supporters, and the media—to respect the directive.
This move also echoes earlier recommendations made after the death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, which called for urgent reforms to enhance boxer safety.
The NSA assured that, together with the Sports Ministry and other partners, it remains committed to ensuring a responsible and sustainable return of boxing in Ghana.
