The death of Ghanaian boxer, Ernest Akushey, popularly known as Bahubali, has drawn renewed attention to the medical structures within Ghana boxing, particularly the absence of official doctors at the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).
Bahubali passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. His death came just eleven days after he suffered a technical knockout defeat to Jacob Dickson at the Bukom Arena.
The tragedy has revived discussions of findings made by a Ministerial Committee of Inquiry established in the aftermath of Nigerian boxer Oluwasegun Olanrewaju’s death in Ghana earlier in 2025.
That report revealed that the GBA has no officially appointed medical doctor.
Instead, medical duties at sanctioned bouts have for the past two years been carried out by a nurse, Edward Asante.
Ghana Boxing Authority vows stricter medical protocols following Bahubali’s death
With Bahubali’s death following closely on the heels of Olanrewaju’s, attention has once again turned to the recommendations and concerns raised by the committee.
The National Sports Authority (NSA) has since announced a suspension of all boxing activities in the country in response to Bahubali’s passing.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Boxing Authority has described the tragedy as a wake-up call for the sport and has announced plans to enforce mandatory medical examinations for all boxers going forward.
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Meanwhile, watch interviews with Bahubali’s twin sister and promoter below
