The National Sports Authority (NSA) has officially lifted the suspension on professional boxing in Ghana, effective today, Thursday, November 6, 2025. This landmark decision ends a prolonged hiatus in the sport and signals a new chapter for one of Ghana’s most storied athletic disciplines.
The suspension, announced in September 2025, followed the tragic death of young boxer Ernest Akushey, popularly known as Bahubali. His passing prompted sweeping safety reviews across the sport. Far back in March, 2025, a similar fate happened to the sport when Nigerian boxer Olewasegun Olanrewaju died in a bout.
The suspension, which had been in place to allow for structural reforms and governance improvements, was lifted following months of intensive stakeholder engagement. Key players in the process included the NSA, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) for Boxing, which was specially constituted to guide the sport’s return to full operational status.
“This marks a major step toward restoring Ghana’s illustrious and proud boxing heritage,” the NSA stated, commending the IMC, athletes, and stakeholders for their patience and cooperation during the period of reform.
The reforms, designed to ensure the safety, professionalism, and global competitiveness of Ghanaian boxing, focus heavily on medical integrity and organizational transparency. Among the new frameworks and initiatives to be rolled out are;
- Published Medical and Safety Manuals, Codes, and Regulations
- A Functional Interim Medical Commission
- A Centralized Medical Database
- An Approved Insurance Framework
- A Sustainable Medical Support System
- Certified Ringside and Medical Staff