2024 has been a challenging year for Ghana boxing, despite starting with high expectations. The country clinched seven medals, including gold, at the 2023 African Games in the first quarter, but things went downhill from there.
For the first time in over two decades, Ghana had no representation in boxing at the Olympics, highlighting the sport’s continuing struggles. Experts believe the country, which produced legends like Clement Quartey and Azumah Nelson, is not addressing fundamental issues.
Samuel Takyi, Ghana’s last Olympic medalist, points to a lack of proper care for national athletes as a major problem. “I felt bad that Ghana didn’t have representatives at the Olympics, but there are a lot of issues with the national team. They don’t take good care of the athletes, so I chose to go professional,” he explained.
This trend of boxers abandoning the amateur level for professional careers is growing. Stanley Nyantakyi, “The Ashanti Warrior,” recalls enduring tough times as an amateur. “I didn’t get opportunities at that stage, so I turned pro to achieve my goals,” he said.
Coach Ofori Asare, a respected figure in Ghanaian boxing, advocates better support for amateur boxers. He notes that the lack of financial incentives during competitions, such as Olympic qualifiers, forces young athletes to seek better opportunities. “Previously, amateur boxers received payments during competitions, which helped support their families. Now, there’s no pay, leaving them with no choice but to go professional,” he explained.
Boxers like Nyantakyi and Takyi emphasize the financial challenges at the amateur level. Nyantakyi recalls juggling training with a job as a security guard earning GHS 500 a month, while Takyi argues that national team athletes should be well-compensated. “If you represent your country and make the people proud, you deserve to be rich,” Takyi asserted.
With the 2026 Commonwealth Games approaching, it’s up to stakeholders to address these challenges and inspire the next generation of Ghanaian boxers.
