The Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has assured Ghana’s boxing teams, the Black Bombers and the Black Hitters, of the authority’s support ahead of their upcoming competitions.
This comes after a meeting to discuss the team’s campaign at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Ankrah told the boxers that the meeting was designed to give officials a direct, first-hand account of what the team went through, rather than relying on secondhand reports.
“One of the reasons I am here, and he is also here, is to hear and to see exactly what is going on, not hearing it through a second or third source,” he said, referring to Ghana Sports Fund Administrator Dr. David Kofi Mawuvi Wuaku, who accompanied him.
He said the authority intended to compile and present reports on the specific difficulties the boxers faced during their time in Glasgow, so that lessons could be drawn ahead of future tournaments.
In a notable admission, Ankrah told the boxers that the state, and not the athletes, bore responsibility for some of the shortcomings exposed at these Games.
“We have failed you in certain aspects, and we must accept and admit it, and make sure it never happens again,” he said.
“We shouldn’t blame the boxers and say the boxers didn’t try, they didn’t get medals, and that is it. Technical people, we, the state, all need to take responsibility and make sure we prepare you well for future competitions.”
Ghana’s boxing campaign in Glasgow produced a mix of results, with experienced campaigners exiting earlier than expected alongside stronger performances from other members of the squad. This was in a tournament head coach Dr. Ofori Asare had entered with an ambitious medal target.
Ankrah urged the wider team to stay united behind one another regardless of individual results.
“One is for all, and all is for one,” he said.
“Today is his time. Tomorrow it can be yours. So be happy for him and pray that next time it’ll be your turn.”
He closed by encouraging the boxers to support whichever teammate had progressed furthest in the competition, framing it as part of a collective effort rather than a set of individual campaigns.
By: Prince Obiba Ayim Brown – Glasgow, Scotland
