President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his unwavering belief in the potential of Ghanaian boxing, following the successful Legacy Rise boxing event held in Accra.
Speaking during a courtesy call by boxing champion Anthony Joshua and the Legacy Rise team, President Mahama described Friday night’s event as a powerful reminder of Ghana’s rich boxing heritage.
“Ghana has been a boxing powerhouse since the First Republic, but over time, the sport declined,” he stated.
“We tried hard to revive it, which is why we built the Bukom Arena. One of my regrets is that we didn’t build it bigger, especially now with growing interest in the sport.”
He explained that the initial vision for the Bukom Boxing Arena was not only to host bouts but also to serve as a hub for scouting and nurturing new talent. While that ambition was not fully realized, President Mahama expressed confidence in the future: “Talents exist everywhere, but it takes one champion to change an entire society.”
President Mahama also highlighted the sporting passion of his son, Sharaf Mahama, who he said has been deeply involved in sports since childhood. “He started with football and later moved into boxing. I allowed him to pursue his passion, and I truly believe we can raise future world champions,” he noted.
In a warm gesture of friendship, President Mahama offered Anthony Joshua honorary citizenship, saying, “Ghana is a second home. If you want a passport, we’ll gladly give you one.”
The meeting ended on a hopeful note, with both parties pledging to support the development of boxing in Ghana and use sports as a tool for strengthening ties across the African continent.
