Following the passing of professional boxer Ernest Akushey, better known by his stage name Bahubali, the National Sports Authority (NSA) has temporarily banned all boxing-related activities in Ghana.
Days after sustaining severe injuries during his battle with Jacob Dickson at the Bukom Boxing Arena on September 12, Akushey passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
After the fight, the 32-year-old passed unconscious and was taken to the LEKMA Hospital in Accra, where he eventually died.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, NSA Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah acknowledged the suspension while speaking to the media on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.
In order to enable comprehensive investigations into the events leading up to the sad catastrophe, he clarified, the decision was required. He also expressed worries about how many fights Bahubali might have participated in recently.
His words were firm: “All boxing activities are hence suspended pending investigation into the death of Ernest Akushey. The deceased boxer Ernest Akushey is said to have fought in multiple bouts over the past 12–24 months, which shouldn’t have happened”.
Competing in the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, Akushey was a crowd favorite due to his aggressive style and spirit of battle. He fought professionally for eight fights, six of which he won, before his career ended.
Segun “Success” Olanrewaju, a Nigerian boxer, also unfortunately died in March of this year after succumbing during a battle in Ghana.
At Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League, held at Bukom Boxing Arena, the 40-year-old former National and West African light-heavyweight boxing champion was competing against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu when he unexpectedly passed out.
Upon arrival at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, he was declared deceased. His death was eventually determined to be heart failure by a post-mortem.
It’s anticipated that the boxing ban in Ghana would lead to a broader discussion regarding medical examinations, fighter welfare, and the implementation of safety rules in the sport. The loss of a young athlete whose life and career were brutally cut short is currently being mourned by the boxing community as a whole.
