The President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Abraham Kotei Neequaye, has addressed the ongoing impasse between the GBA board and a group of concerned boxing stakeholders, describing the latest boycott of a scheduled peace meeting as a disappointing setback to unity and transparency in the sport.
Speaking at a press briefing at the GBA Secretariat in Accra, Mr. Neequaye, flanked by board members and key stakeholders, including Ayiitey Powers (President of the Boxers Association), leading promoters such as Osibor and Cabic Promotions, and GBA officials, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the upcoming GBA Congress and elections.
According to Kotei Neequaye, the GBA had extended an invitation, both publicly and through personal communication, to the leadership of the Committee for Professional Boxing Stakeholders (CPBS), led by Alhaji Moshood Zaid, for a dialogue scheduled for Monday, May 27, 2025. The purpose of the meeting was to resolve grievances and clarify issues ahead of the Congress. However, the CPBS refused to attend, citing the lack of a formal written invitation.
“This is not just disrespectful to the GBA; it’s also disrespectful to the Minister for Youth and Sports, who asked us to organize this meeting,” the GBA President stated.
Congress and Election Clarity
Addressing concerns about the timing and structure of the upcoming GBA Congress and elections, Abraham Kotei Neequaye dismissed claims of illegality or lack of consultation.
“For the record, every past GBA Congress, under my administration and before, has involved accountability sessions in the morning, followed by elections in the afternoon. This is neither new nor improper. It is borne out of financial constraints and practical precedent,” he explained.
The GBA, he added, is committed to full accountability during Congress and has no intention of avoiding scrutiny.
On Licensing and Stakeholder Eligibility
The GBA president also clarified the status of certain individuals leading the protest, pointing out that key figures, such as the Matchmakers’ Association Chair Rashid Williams, Coaches Association President Charles Quartey, and Promoters Association head Alex Ntiamoah, are not in “good standing” with the Authority, having failed to renew their annual licenses.
“Our rules are clear: stakeholders must be licensed annually to be recognized as members. None of these individuals currently hold valid GBA licenses,” he said.
He emphasized that the Authority cannot engage in formal dialogue with individuals or associations that are technically non-compliant with its own regulatory framework.
Addressing Rumors of Board Dissolution
The president also responded to circulating rumours suggesting that the Minister of Youth and Sports intends to dissolve the current GBA board and install an interim body for six months. Kotei Neequaye vehemently denied any such communication from the Ministry.
“The Minister told us he is still reviewing the committee report on the unfortunate death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju. Nowhere did he indicate the board would be set aside. If any stakeholder claims to have such information, then it did not come through official channels,” he clarified.
Kotei Neequaye expressed concern that members of the committee investigating the boxer’s death, some of whom are known critics of his administration, may be leaking biased information and undermining the integrity of the process.
Track Record and Appeal for Unity
In defense of the current board’s performance, the GBA president cited unprecedented achievements over the past three years: over 75 sanctioned fights, record levels of collaboration with promoters, and the historic distribution of vehicles and equipment to boxing gyms across the country.
“This board has delivered 20 events annually with IMAX and other promoters, boxing leagues running smoothly, and investments into infrastructure. It’s time we stopped tearing ourselves apart,” he appealed.
He urged all licensed stakeholders to rally behind a single vision for boxing growth, adding that unity and mutual respect are essential to maintaining the sport’s recent progress.
“We are one family. Let’s not allow misinformation and personal agendas to destroy what we’ve worked so hard to build,” he concluded.
Next Steps
He assured stakeholders and the general public that the GBA remains fully committed to its mandate, the upcoming elections, and the overall development of boxing in Ghana.
Kotei Neequaye confirmed that efforts to repatriate the body of the late Nigerian boxer are ongoing, with support from Osibor Promotions and the Nigerian High Commission. The airlifting is expected to take place by the end of the week.
By Peter Quao Adattor
