That’s why we set up Bukom Arena – Mahama tells Anthony Joshua during sports sector meeting

President John Dramani Mahama has praised British boxing legend Anthony Joshua for honouring Ghana with his visit and for taking a keen interest in the country’s sports development.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the two-time heavyweight champion at the Jubilee House on Monday, June 16, President Mahama noted that Ghana’s sports sector has suffered significant setbacks due to prolonged neglect.

“Unfortunately, over the years things have gone down, and that’s what we tried to revive,” he said.
“That’s why we set up the Bukom Boxing Arena. It’s actually an academy because it has hostels, classrooms and all that.”

The President described the Bukom facility, built during his previous tenure, as a flagship effort to restore Ghana’s former sporting glory and train future champions in a more holistic environment.

The meeting brought together the Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, the CEO of Legacy Rise Sports, the President’s son Sharaf Mahama, and other senior officials in the sports space.

Anthony Joshua, who had earlier expressed his admiration for Ghana and its potential, acknowledged the power of sports in shaping lives and attracting global partnerships.

“Sports has got me in a room like this, so I understand the importance of talking with my fists but also how influential sports can be and the type of rooms you can get into,” Joshua said.
“I’ve been calling friends and speaking about ways that we can bring investment into Ghana, Africa, because I understand some of your policies and what you’re trying to do. And from a sportsman’s perspective, I understand sports is short-lived and we cross over into business.”

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to explore deeper collaboration between Ghana and private sector partners across the globe, using sports as a vehicle for youth development and national growth.