The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) 2026 elective congress is set to proceed as scheduled, with the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC) officially announcing filing fees and nomination procedures for aspiring candidates.
According to the GBIMC, chaired by former GBA President Samir Captan, the Extraordinary Congress to elect a substantive Executive Board will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The announcement, however, has already sparked strong reactions from stakeholders within the boxing fraternity, many of whom have criticised the approved filing fees as excessively high for positions regarded largely as voluntary and non-remunerative.
Under the approved structure, presidential aspirants are required to pay a filing fee of ¢10,000, while aspirants contesting for First and Second Vice President positions are expected to pay ¢5,000 each.
Aspirants seeking election as Executive Board Members or Treasurer are to pay ¢3,000 each.
In addition to the filing fees, all candidates are also required to purchase nomination forms at a cost of ¢500.
The GBIMC indicated that nomination forms can be obtained at the Accra Sports Stadium between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily from Thursday, May 14 to Monday, May 18, 2026, excluding weekends.
According to the committee, all filing fees must be paid in full before or on the day completed nomination forms are submitted within the stipulated filing period for candidates to qualify for the elections.
The statement further explained that heads of member associations or duly mandated executives presenting delegates may also procure delegate forms within the same period.
The communiqué, signed by Samir Captan, stated that additional election guidelines and modalities would be communicated in due course.
Stakeholders Question Fees
Even before official nominations begin, the approved fees have triggered criticism from several prominent figures in Ghana boxing and sports journalism.
Veteran sports journalist Andy Nortey questioned the rationale behind the amount charged for the presidency, suggesting the fees could discourage potential candidates from participating.
“What is this, Sammy? Why ¢10,000 for presidency? Are you guys not intentionally pricing people out of the exercise?” he queried.
Sports broadcaster Prince Andrew Dornu-Leiku also described the fees as “too astronomical,” echoing concerns that the financial requirements may limit inclusivity in the electoral process.
For his part, boxing promoter Alex Ntiamoa Boakye expressed particular concern over the ¢500 cost of nomination forms.
“And also the forms for ¢500? Eii, too much. At least ¢50 is cool, but why ¢500? These people are coming to serve us voluntarily,” he stated.
Questions Over Election Cost and Constitutional Provisions
The controversy has since generated broader debate within the boxing community over the considerations that informed the fees approved by the Interim Management Committee.
Some stakeholders are now questioning whether the charges align with provisions of the GBA constitution governing elections and nomination processes.
Others argue that while administrative costs may justify moderate fees, excessively high charges risk discouraging capable aspirants and limiting competition in the elections.
With the June 4 congress approaching, attention is now turning to whether the GBIMC will review the fees amid the growing backlash or maintain the current structure as announced.
By Peter QuaoAdattor/paqmediagh
