Stakeholders in Ghana boxing calls NSA’s actions as unconstitutional
Stakeholders in Ghana boxing including Boxing Ghana’s Managing Chief Editor Samuel Ofosuhene better known as Sammy Ofosuhene have called out the actions of the national sports authority as unconstitutional and infantile.
In a post on his personal page, the USA based sports journalist termed the actions of the NSA as ‘confused,’ as he posted a petition signed by the Ghana Boxing Stakeholders.
check out the full petition by the stakeholders in Ghana boxing;
“The NSA is a confused BODY…..This is free education!”
PETITION TO ALL BOXING STAKEHOLDERS
Subject: Protecting the Autonomy of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA)
We, the undersigned stakeholders in Ghana Boxing, write with deep concern over recent developments suggesting attempts by the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to interfere in, and possibly take over, the operations of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).
For the avoidance of doubt:
- The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) is a statutory body, established by PNDC Law 238 (1988), with the legal mandate to regulate, supervise, and control professional boxing in Ghana.
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The Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934) only grants the Minister of Youth and Sports general policy oversight over sports development and empowers the NSA to coordinate and manage facilities. It does not give the Minister or the NSA the legal authority to dissolve, suspend, or reconstitute the GBA.
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By law, the GBA is independent and self-regulating, subject only to the provisions of PNDC Law 238. Any changes to its structure or operations must be carried out through Parliamentary process, not by administrative directives.
Our Concern
Any attempt by the NSA or the Ministry to lock up GBA offices, suspend its operations, or inaugurate a so-called “Normalisation Committee” is ultra vires (beyond their powers), unconstitutional, and a dangerous precedent for sports governance in Ghana.
Global Precedent
Across the world, boxing has unfortunately witnessed tragedies in the ring. Yet no country has suspended the entire sport as a response. Instead, authorities conducted investigations and strengthened safety protocols:
UK (2019): Patrick Day tragically passed away after a bout in the U.S., but both the British and U.S. commissions reinforced medical guidelines rather than suspend boxing.
South Africa (2017): Simiso Buthelezi died following a contest, yet the South African Boxing Commission tightened ringside medical procedures instead of halting the sport.
USA (1982): Following Duk Koo Kim’s death against Ray Mancini, reforms were introduced (such as reducing championship rounds from 15 to 12), but boxing was never suspended.
These examples demonstrate that the professional way forward is reform, not suspension. Ghana should align with global best practice by addressing safety gaps while keeping the sport alive.
Our Call to Action
We therefore call on all stakeholders, promoters, managers, coaches, boxers, referees, judges, gym owners, and fans, to:
Stand firm in defending the autonomy of the GBA as provided by law.
Resist any unlawful takeover of professional boxing by institutions that have only advisory capacity.
Insist on due process and legal compliance, so that reforms and improvements in our sport are done the right way.
Ghana Boxing has given this nation world champions and global recognition. Let us not allow its governance to be weakened by unlawful interference. We must protect the integrity of our sport and the statutory independence of the GBA.
Signed.