Sports
Baubali, new face of pro boxing in Ghana
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THE names of Braimah ‘Bukom Banku’ Kamoko and Ayitey Powers are considered legends of professional boxing in Ghana not just because of the laurels they won.
These were boxers that started their careers from the middle weights and ended as light heavyweights and would go down in history as fighters that spiced the sport with entertainment.
In their absence, a new kid “Ernest Akushey” has emerged, cracking the ribs of fans with his showboating before and after fights.
Significantly, Banku and Powers failed to reach the heights of other legends like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey, Nana Yaw Konadu, Agbeko and others that jumped to stardom by winning world titles.
But Bukom Banku and Powers have a huge attraction and are even more popular than some of the world title winners, thanks to the entertainment and satirical moments they created around the sport.
Of the two, Powers has a poor fight record, losing more fights than what he won.
Bukom Banku became the WBO Africa light heavyweight champion for some time when he was signed by the Goldenmike Boxing Promotion.
The exit of the world champions created doubts in the minds of boxing lovers as to what the future holds but likes of Richard Commey and Isaac Dogboe emerged with successful world title bids.
Sadly, their reins didn’t last.
But the voids between those periods were always filled by these two boxing icons who always get the arena filled to capacity.
Be it individual clashes or the case of them facing each other, one thing would be guaranteed, that’s the arena would be filled to the brim.
What they lacked in laurels, they complement with the humorous events and activities before, during and after their fights. Their rendition of the English language would always attract the media for interviews.
Both are also musicians and always dazzle fans as special guests on the entertainment package that comes with the promotions.
A fight between Bukom Banku and Powers staged by Box Office Sports (BOS) grinded to a halt every activity in the capital. On both television and radio, issues about the fight dominated discussion programmes and on the fight night, fans filled the arena as early as 7pm. That is the kind of appeal they have on Ghana boxing.
In their retirement, they have tried to stay relevant, continuing with their episodes as Banku threatened to fight his own sons in the ring.
But while the Banku-Powers fever is die-down, Akushey appears to be in a position to sustain the comic moments, making the sport enjoy unprecedented trends in every corner.
The mention of his nickname Baubali will get the whole arena roar and get everyone fired up for an explosive evening.
In his last fight on Saturday against Jonathan Tetteh in a light heavyweight championship, he was kayoed on two occasions before ending it all in the seventh round.
In his post-fight comments, Baubali humbly admitted to losing to a better fighter but vowed to comeback for the title.
That comment attracted a huge applause from the fans who had followed him in both traditional and social media platforms.
Baubali videos have gone viral, showing fans which of his punches is capable of sending an opponent to the mortuary and which one could send one to Awudome (local cemetery in Accra).
He has other punches that makes an opponent sad and one that makes him laugh. These are what he brings to the table for Ghana boxing and he has been accepted.
By Andrew Nortey
In a resolve to build clearer pathway for athletes, the President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, has indicated the new executive’s commitment to strengthen collaboration with major stakeholders in the development and promotion of the sport.
According to him, it would be difficult to achieve its set targets set for the new elected term without a good working relations with such collaborators.
Mr Otu said this when he addressed participants at the closing ceremony of the 16th edition of the Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship held last Saturday at the Borteyman Sports Complex.
The event saw the Greater Accra Region’s dominance as they amassed a total of 26 medals consisting of 10 gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals.
The Upper East Region followed in second position with a gold, silver and six bronze medals and Western Region in third after annexing a gold and silver medals.
According to him, the new executive will continue to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MoSR), National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the Korean Embassy in Accra, corporate organisations as well as educational institutions and Regional Associations.
“Our recent engagements with key stakeholders have reinforced our belief that there is a willingness to support Ghana Taekwondo when we present clear programmes, demonstrate accountability and work collaboratively,” he stated.
Consequently, he assured of the executive board’s commitment to good governance, transparency, accountability, teamwork and respect for all stakeholders.
“We’ll listen to our regions, clubs, coaches, athletes, officials and members of the Taekwondo family. We’ll continue to improve our administrative systems, documentation, communication, financial planning and programme coordination,” he added.
Mr Otu noted that the board was committed to building a sustainable Taekwondo development system that produces athletes, coaches, referees and administrators capable of representing Ghana with pride.
He said starting this month, the GTF will roll out its first major initiative – the Regional Taekwondo Awareness Campaign, to be launched in the Ashanti Region.
The campaign is designed to take Taekwondo directly to the schools and communities, particularly areas where sporting opportunities are limited.
“Our immediate target is to begin with at least five deprived regions — Northern Region, Upper West Region, Bono Region, Central Region and Ashanti Region — and identify young people with the potential to become future Taekwondo athletes,” he emphasised.
Mr Otu expressed gratitude to the Korean embassy for its continuous support for the championship which he said had given Ghanaian athletes the opportunity to compete, gain valuable experience, test themselves against quality opposition and develop the confidence necessary to progress to higher levels of competition.
At the end of the competition, the embassy presented a number of Taekwondo attires to the GTF to boost the sport’s promotion in Ghana.
By Andrew Nortey
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CAF 2nd Vice President and President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has visited the Black Princesses in Poland ahead of their opening game at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The GFA President, who watched the team’s training session, assured the players of the Association’s full support and backed them to make history by qualifying from the group stage for the first time.
“A few days ago, I was in a chat with the head coach and I promised that I was going to join him for what I think is the most important game for us, which is the first game,” President Simeon-Okraku told the team.
“For me, the first game is the most important, because if we start well, chances are that we will do well. History tells us that this team has always been here. We’ve always been at this tournament for seven consecutive times. My inner faith is telling me that we have enough quality here to qualify from this group.”
He praised the players for their sacrifice and patience throughout preparations, saying their investment would be repaid on the pitch.
“You have been patient and gone through the troubles and the hassles. And you are here today. I believe that these sacrifices you have made, these investments you have made, will be repaid,” he said.
The GFA President stressed that Ghana has the quality to overcome their group opponents.
“We are faced by three opponents — Ecuador, Korea Republic and France. These three nations, believe me, are no better than us. We have enough quality in this team to win games in this group and to make it to the second round of the competition.”
“This tournament is played every two years, so after 14 years, this is the 16th year now — this group must be the one that makes it out of the group to the knockout stage. And this must happen.”
“I think the team is ready. The technical team have done a good job. The players have conducted themselves well. We will continue to support you to ensure you get the best to be able to compete at this level.”
He also charged the final squad to make those who missed out proud.
“A few of you were here but didn’t make the squad and had to leave. This is that moment that you have to make them proud.”
President Simeon-Okraku was accompanied to the training ground by Chief of Staff at the GFA, Michael Osekre, and President of Dreams FC, Jiji Alifoe.
Ghana will open their campaign against Ecuador on September 6, 2026, before facing Korea Republic and France in their other group matches.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
