Ghana three boxers to IBA Africa Championships due to funding shortage

Ghana have sent just three boxers to the IBA Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, because of a lack of funds.

Despite the limited representation, the team have made a promising start, with Joseph ‘Jaguar’ Commey and Amadu ‘Crawford Jr’ Mohammed securing victories to boost Ghana’s medal hopes.

Commey, who fights for Black Panthers Boxing Club, was recalled to the Black Bombers as he pursues his Olympic ambitions. He defeated Congo-Brazzaville’s Dieu Merci Loulendo 3-2 in the men’s light-welterweight quarter-finals.

Mohammed, an African Games champion and Commonwealth Games medallist, has also guaranteed himself a medal after beating Mozambique’s 2022 African champion Armando Rugoberto Sigauque in the men’s 55kg bantamweight division.

The Sea View Boxing Club boxer is among Ghana’s leading medal prospects at the competition.

Ebenezer Ankrah has also impressed, overcoming an injury to his right hand to secure a convincing victory in the men’s 60kg lightweight category.

The Black Panthers Gym product relied on his left hand for much of the contest after injuring his right arm early in the fight, but still outclassed Eswatini’s Innocent Chawe Gamedze with a unanimous 3-0 decision.

His victory gave Ghana a winning start and earned him a place in the quarter-finals.

Ankrah now faces a difficult test against Namibia’s Tryagain Morning Ndevelo, a silver medallist at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Victory would take the Ghanaian into the medal positions.

The Ghanaian team is being handled by coach Charles Quartey, who remains optimistic that his boxers can deliver strong performances despite the challenges surrounding their participation.

The championships also offer a significant financial incentive, with the International Boxing Association (IBA) setting aside $1m to be shared among the best-performing boxers.

Under the prize distribution arrangement, 50% of a winner’s award will go to the boxer, while the coach and national federation will receive 25% each.

Ghana’s limited squad underlines the financial difficulties facing the federation, but the early results have offered hope that the team can return from Kinshasa with medals.