To describe Ambassador Ray Quarcoo’s contribution to the development of sports in Ghana, particularly boxing, as pivotal is, indeed, an understatement. Beyond Ghana’s first-ever world boxing champion, David Kotei (DK Poison), Ambassador Quarcoo has played a defining role in the careers of nearly every major boxing great Ghana and Africa have produced.
From legends such as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Ebo Danquah, Nana Yaw Konadu, Thunder Ayeh, and the Clottey brothers (Emmanuel and Joshua), through to champions like Joseph Agbeko, and more recently Isaac Dogboe and Joshua Buatsi, his singular influence has been central to their journeys and successes. His name is firmly etched in gold in the annals of Ghanaian boxing history.
Ambassador Quarcoo’s passion for the pugilistic sport and sports development more broadly is unmatched. His commitment extends beyond producing champions in the ring to nurturing disciplined, successful individuals outside it. A keen student of the sport, he has an extraordinary ability to identify boxing talent at a very young age.
Under his leadership as President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF), boxing in Ghana benefited from progressive, modern initiatives, including international exchange programmes with countries such as Britain, the United States, and Azerbaijan. These programmes exposed young Ghanaian boxers to global best practices and elevated the standard of the sport locally.
His love for boxing knows no bounds. Ambassador Quarcoo is known to travel on Sunday afternoons simply to watch juvenile boxing bouts on the streets of Accra, particularly at the Wato Club. These visits became a routine, during which he would “bless” and encourage young boxers, often providing moral and material support.
Many members of Ghana’s Olympic boxing team, the Black Bombers, have benefited not only from his vast experience but also from his personal financial support. His hands-on supervision of boxers’ preparation, covering training, camping, and nutrition, has endeared him to generations of fighters.
Beyond Ghana, Ambassador Quarcoo’s influence has been felt across Africa and the global boxing community. He served as an executive member of the International Boxing Association (IBA), formerly AIBA, and also contributed significantly as a management member of the Black Stars, Ghana’s senior national football team.
As he approaches his 90th birthday in the coming weeks, Ambassador Quarcoo remains a businessman and sports administrator extraordinaire. Yet, he continues to challenge present-day sports administrators to go the extra mile in restoring the declining fortunes of Ghanaian sports.
Among his many notable contributions was sponsoring Mike Carney, an international boxing coach from British Sports (UK), to support the Black Bombers’ preparations for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. His immense support for Ghana’s participation in the 1992 Olympic Games earned him an honorary award from the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC). He is also the lifetime patron of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).
Affectionately known as “Uncle Ray,” Ambassador Quarcoo also facilitated and funded the establishment of several boxing clubs in Bukom, Accra, including Black Panther and Panix Boxing Club, laying the foundation for generations of champions.
His legacy is not just one of titles and medals, but of vision, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in the power of sport to transform lives.
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
