The National Sports Authority (NSA), working together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has announced that the suspension on professional boxing in Ghana will be officially lifted on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The decision comes after months of extensive consultations and sweeping reforms carried out by the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (IMC) in response to the tragic events that led to the ban earlier this year.
Professional boxing was suspended following the death of boxer Ernest “Bahubali” Akushey on September 25, 2025, a heartbreaking incident that sent shockwaves across Ghana’s sporting community. In the aftermath, the NSA and IMC launched a thorough review of the sport’s medical, safety, and governance systems to prevent any future occurrences.
According to a report submitted by the IMC, significant progress has been made in strengthening safety standards, improving medical oversight, and tightening administrative and governance structures across the sport.
Among the key reforms introduced are a Published Medical and Safety Manual, the establishment of a Functional Interim Medical Commission, a Centralized Medical Database, and an Approved Insurance Framework designed to protect boxers. In addition, all sanctioned bouts will now require certified ringside officials and qualified medical personnel to be present.
The NSA commended the patience, cooperation, and commitment of boxers, trainers, promoters, and other stakeholders throughout the reform process. It also invited both local and international promoters to stage high-quality boxing events in Ghana under the new, enhanced regulatory framework.
The lifting of the suspension marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ghanaian boxing, one that places athlete welfare, safety, and institutional integrity at the heart of the sport.
As preparations begin for the sport’s return, the NSA reaffirmed its commitment to building a safe, professional, and internationally respected boxing ecosystem in Ghana.
Full Statement below:
