Mr. Derek Nii Asai Ankrah, member of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Communications / Media Committee believes the current administration under President Abraham Kotei Neequaye has done well despite the fact that Ghana currently has no world champion.
Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview on Omashi TV, he said many people measure the success of Ghana Boxing with the number of world champions produced but the GBA is not a promoter or trainer.
“We are doing our best in this volunteer organisation, we hope that at the right time the fans will see a world champ” he stressed.
According to Mr. Ankrah who is also the score master since the demise of legendary J. A. Annan, the current GBA has sanctioned more fights than any regime and more young guys have joined the boxing fraternity.
He commended Imax Boxing Promotions for staging the Ghana Professional Boxing League which has exposed many boxing talents.
He lauded the GBA for training new ring officials who are complementing the duties of experienced referees like Roger Banor who brought him to the GBA, Erasmus Owoo, May Mensah Akakpo and Shadrach Acquaye.
He noted that the job at the GBA secretariat is huge but they lack financial support.
He said as a human institution, they may make some mistakes, but they also learn their lessons and want the best for Ghana boxing.
He commended the six WBO Africa Champions and their management from Ghana namely Haruna Osumanu (Heavyweight), Jacob Laryea (Jnr Middleweight), Faisal Abubakar (Super Lightweight), Sheriff Quaye ( Lightweight), John Laryea (Featherweight) and Daniel Gorsh (Bantamweight) praying that they get the opportunity to fight for the world title.
He also hailed the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union which he is a member and promised that the best of Ghana Boxing will be realised.
“At least we have achieved something or added something to Ghana Boxing and the future is bright” he said.
Derek Ankrah is a banker and Pan Africanist.
Aside boxing, he loves football as his dad, Mr. Abeka Ankrah aka ‘Why Worry” played for Accra Hearts of Oak and the Black Stars.
He was known as Eu-Mesh in his youthful football days.