Boxing Authority and Sports Authority ‘clash’ over election procedures

A deadlock between the Ghana Boxing Authority’s (GBA) and the National Sports Authority (NSA) has resulted in a possible halt of the GBA upcoming elections.

The GBA’s interim leadership, headed by acting president Roger Barnor, on July 15, 2025 met with the NSA to push for elections to be held on July 19.

During the meeting, they argued that the current administration’s term ends three days late on July 22 and delaying the vote could create a leadership vacuum

The legitimacy of the entire election process has been called into question. According to the GBA’s constitution, an Annual General Meeting should be held every May ahead of the July elections.

That hasn’t happened in five years. The roadmap for this year’s election; first announced in April under former president Abraham Kotei Neequaye is under fire. Individuals within the board accuse him of bypassing proper procedures and making key decisions on his own, including setting nomination fees and deciding who qualifies to vote.

The Ministry for Sports and Recreation, along with the NSA, shares these concerns of a thorough review of the current election plans.

Behind the scenes, both institutions have even considered dissolving the interim GBA board entirely and appointing a new Interim Management Committee to carry out reforms suggested by the Amarkai Amartefio Committee before any new leadership takes office.

As of July 16, signs pointed to the July 19 congress going ahead but without any voting. Instead, the interim board would likely be asked to restart the whole electoral process. That means fresh timelines, updated delegate lists, and new nominations.

Businessman and boxing promoter Ivan Bruce Cudjoe was expected to run against Barnor once nominations reopened. Meanwhile, the NSA was expected to issue a final decision to the GBA by July 16.