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Ambassador Ray Quarcoo, the boxer’s pillar
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When discussions arise about people who have shaped Ghana boxing, the names of world champions like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey, Joseph Agbeko and Isaac Dogbe often dominate the conservation,
Yet behind these celebrated boxers, stands a man whose contribution to the sport has been profound, enduring and largely selfless. This man is Ambassador Ray Quarcoo.
A businessman, sports administrator, philanthropist and mentor, Ambassador Quarcoo has dedicated much of his life to the development of sports in Ghana, particularly boxing.
His contribution spans several decades and cuts across athlete development, administration, infrastructure, international relations and sports journalism.
He has spent decades working quietly behind the scenes, identifying talent, mentoring young athletes, building institutions and investing his personal resources to ensure that Ghana’s rich boxing tradition remains alive
Today, his legacy remains firmly woven into the fabric of Ghana sports, particularly boxing, where his influence has helped shape generations of champions and inspired countless young athletes.
Though he has stepped away from active sports administration, Ambassador Quarcoo remains deeply interested in the progress of Ghana sports.
His passion for sports is rooted in a lifetime of service and sacrifice. As President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) on two separate occasions and later Vice-President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), he played a central role in strengthening the structures of boxing administration in the country.
Under his leadership, the GABF introduced international exchange programmes with countries such as Britain, the United States and Azerbaijan, giving Ghanaian boxers valuable international exposure.
His influence extended beyond Ghana as an executive member of the International Boxing Association (IBA), formerly AIBA, while he also served as a management member of the Black Stars.
However, it is his role as a mentor and benefactor that has earned him the admiration of generations of athletes.
Former WBA welterweight world champion Ike “Bazooka” Quartey describes him as one of the most influential figures in the lives of many Ghanaian boxers.
According to Quartey, Ambassador Quarcoo paid the school fees of Joshua and Emmanuel Clottey and provided them with accommodation because he believed they possessed the qualities required to become world champions.
His conviction was that young athletes needed both education and discipline to succeed on the world stage.
The investment paid off as Joshua Clottey eventually rose to become an IBF Welterweight World Champion and one of Ghana’s most respected boxing figures.
Veteran sports broadcaster Nathaniel Attoh recalls witnessing Joshua Clottey’s deep appreciation for Ambassador Quarcoo.
Following his world title triumph, Clottey personally visited Ambassador Quarcoo to thank him for the support, guidance and opportunities he had received during his formative years.
The Clottey brothers were only part of a long list of athletes whose careers were positively impacted by Ambassador Quarcoo.
His keen eye for talent led him to identify and support several promising boxers long before they became stars.
Among them were former WBO world champion Isaac Dogboe, Olympian Norris Thompson and British-Ghanaian boxing sensation Joshua Buatsi.
Attoh recalls a memorable telephone conversation in which Ambassador Quarcoo confidently predicted that two young boxers he had discovered would one day become world beaters. Those young athletes were Isaac Dogboe and Joshua Buatsi.
Today, Dogboe has established himself as a former world champion, while Buatsi has become one of the most accomplished boxers of his generation.
One of the defining moments of Ambassador Quarcoo’s administrative career came ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Despite facing criticism and opposition, he stood firmly behind Isaac Dogboe because he recognised the young boxer’s exceptional potential.
According to Attoh, his decision came at considerable personal cost, yet he remained unwavering in his conviction that Dogboe would justify his faith.
His willingness to place principle above personal interest remains one of the many examples of his commitment to athlete development.
Former Black Bombers captain and assistant national coach Kwame Asante recalls how Ambassador Quarcoo sponsored Ghanaian boxing contingents to international competitions and helped facilitate opportunities for coaches and athletes to further their training abroad.
Asante himself benefited from Ambassador Quarcoo’s intervention when he pursued advanced coaching education in Germany. According to him, Ambassador Quarcoo’s passion for boxing was unmatched.
“He was always present wherever boxing was taking place, whether locally or internationally, he supported the sport wholeheartedly,” Asante stated.
His love for grassroots boxing became legendary. Many remember how he regularly travelled across Accra on weekends simply to watch juvenile boxing contests, particularly at the famous Wato Club. Young boxers eagerly anticipated his visits because they came not only with encouragement but often practical assistance and mentorship.
His contribution to boxing infrastructure is equally significant. Ambassador Quarcoo facilitated and financed the establishment of several boxing clubs and gyms in Bukom, including the Black Panther and Panix gyms. These facilities became important breeding grounds for young talents and contributed significantly to Ghana’s boxing success story.
Beyond boxing, Ambassador Quarcoo has also been a steadfast supporter of sports journalism. As a Lifetime Patron of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), he has supported journalists and contributed immensely to preserving Ghana’s sporting history.
His efforts have earned him numerous honours, including recognition from the Ghana Olympic Committee for supporting Ghana’s participation in the Olympic Games and various awards from sporting bodies in appreciation of his service.
Yet those who know him best insist that his greatest achievement lies not in the awards he has received but in the lives he has transformed.
Until his appointment as Goodwill Sports, Ambassador in 2011, he has held several sports administrative positions in the country including the following, President Ghana Boxing Federation 2010-2014, First Vice Chairman Ghana Boxing Authority, Vice Chairman Ghana Black Stars Welfare Committee 1991-1993, Life Patron, Ghana Olympic Committee, Life patron sports writers association of Ghana, Executive Committee Member African Boxing confederation and Patron-African Confederation of Handball.
Ambassador Emmanuel Ray Quarcoo was also in 2013 was appointed as Honorary Consul General of Haiti to Ghana with Exequatur on 25th October 2013.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinui
A disturbing practice in which some mothers and caregivers use skin-lightening creams, harsh soaps and even pills on children in an attempt to make their skin lighter has come under strong criticism from a public health nurse.
Mr Jonathan Kwame Quarshie, a Public Health Nurse at the Ho Teaching Hospital, has cautioned mothers and caregivers to desist from bleaching the skin of children, describing the practice as unnecessary and potentially harmful to their health.
He said it was worrying that some caregivers were exposing children to cosmetic products meant to alter their natural complexion, despite the delicate nature of children’s skin.
According to him, the situation becomes even more concerning when pills or tablets are given to children with the promise that the products would make their skin lighter “from within”.
“There is no justification for giving a baby or child an unprescribed substance for cosmetic purposes,” he cautioned.
Mr Quarshie stressed that “a baby is not a beauty project” and urged parents to appreciate and protect the natural complexion of their children rather than trying to change it to conform to perceived standards of beauty.
He explained that children’s skin was delicate and could be adversely affected by inappropriate cosmetic products, particularly those containing potentially harmful substances.
Some skin-lightening products may contain substances such as mercury, hydroquinone or potent corticosteroids, which could cause skin irritation, damage and other health complications depending on the substance and level of exposure, he said.
Of particular concern, he said, was mercury exposure, which could affect the nervous system and kidneys.
He therefore warned parents against treating children as “laboratories for beauty experiments” and urged them to consider the long-term health implications of exposing children to unnecessary chemicals and medicines.
Mr Quarshie said children did not need to have lighter skin to be considered beautiful, adding that what they needed was love, acceptance, proper nutrition, safe, age-appropriate skincare and appropriate medical care when necessary.
He advised parents whose children had skin conditions, unusual pigmentation, persistent rashes or other skin concerns to consult qualified health professionals rather than attempting to lighten or treat their skin with unprescribed products.
He also urged caregivers who had already used skin-lightening products on their children to stop further use and seek medical advice, particularly where a child developed irritation, swelling, skin thinning, changes in skin colour or other unusual symptoms.
He said it was worrying that children, particularly girls, were increasingly facing pressure to conform to certain standards of beauty from an early age.
He appealed to parents and families to create an environment in which children would grow up appreciating their natural appearance and understanding that their skin colour was not a problem that needed to be corrected.
“Every shade deserves protection. Every child deserves safe care,” he said, urging society to focus on protecting the health, dignity and wellbeing of children rather than changing their natural complexion.
He said children needed protection, not bleaching.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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TRADERS of foodstuffs such as tomatoes, cassava, plantain and pepper are overwhelmed by the significant drop in prices across various markets and are urging customers to visit the markets to buy.
The development has come as a big relief to families who visit the markets for these essential ingredients used in daily food preparation.
When The Spectator visited markets around Accra Central, Agbogbloshie and Kingsway, among others, tomatoes had flooded every inch of space and were being sold at very affordable prices.
The situation was the same for other foodstuffs, including plantain, cassava and pepper.
The items were being sold at affordable prices as traders chased buyers.
Interacting with some traders, they said the abundance of foodstuffs had increased patronage at the various markets, with customers buying in large quantities.
With a budget of GH¢300, they claimed, one could buy enough foodstuffs to feed a family at home.
A trader, Esther Nyarko, told The Spectator that prices had reduced significantly and advised members of the public to buy in large quantities for storage.
“Cassava, for instance, can be cut into pieces and stored in a freezer. It can also be ground and processed into powder. In the same way, other foodstuffs can be stored in freezers so that when the season ends, people will have some to fall back on,” she said.
According to the traders, the current abundance of seasonal foodstuffs would not last forever, adding that scarcity could follow the harvest period.
Rose Nyarko, a trader at Agbogbloshie Market, said the abundance of tomatoes, pepper, onions and other vegetables was encouraging, adding that the lower prices were prompting customers to buy more.
Ms Anita Abban, a market woman at Kingsway, said farmers deserved commendation for making the foodstuffs available. She urged the government to support storage and transportation to prevent produce from going to waste.
A third trader, Maame Akua, told The Spectator that the development, coming after a period of vegetable scarcity, had brought joy to many people. She added that consumers were buying more than they needed in order to store some for future use.
A customer, Aunty Esi, said, “I came to buy foodstuffs for my family. I was surprised by the quantity available. There is no shortage, so I believe consumers should take advantage of the situation.”
Ms Rebecca Kumi said the variety of foodstuffs available was encouraging.
“The variety is good. You can find plantain, cassava, yam, tomatoes, pepper and other foodstuffs in large quantities. It makes shopping easier, and they are cheap. I wish it remains so for a long time,” she said.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
