Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. | Accra | July 29, 2026
The Chief Executive Officer of SEM Promotions, Edward Nii Coleman, popularly known as Lord Coleman, has called on the government to increase investment in Ghana’s boxing industry, stressing that inadequate sponsorship remains the biggest obstacle to the sport’s growth.
Speaking during a media interaction in Accra, the boxing promoter and President of the Ga Dangme Youth Association said Ghana continues to produce talented boxers and has an enviable record of winning world titles and international medals, but the lack of financial support threatens the future of the sport.
According to him, the Ministry of Sports should collaborate with boxing promoters and matchmakers to create sustainable sponsorship opportunities that will help nurture young talent.
“We have talented juvenile boxers across the country, but without sponsorship, many of them cannot reach their full potential,” he said.
Lord Coleman noted that the cost of organising boxing events, particularly at the Bukom Boxing Arena, is high, while the country lacks adequate boxing infrastructure.
He appealed to the government to renovate existing boxing gyms and construct new training facilities across the country to improve the development of the sport.
“If the government supports all boxing gyms—not just one club—by renovating or rebuilding the facilities, Ghana can produce another world champion within the next four or five years,” he stated.
He explained that many parents are reluctant to allow their children to participate in boxing because promoters are expected to support the athletes’ education, welfare and other basic needs without sufficient financial backing.
According to him, sponsorship is essential to enable promoters to identify young talent at an early age and provide long-term support for their development.
On attracting corporate sponsors, Lord Coleman said SEM Promotions has developed different sponsorship packages, including airline partnerships, branding opportunities, advertising and product sponsorships, to make investment in boxing attractive to businesses.
He added that the organisation’s broader objective is to promote unity, peace and development within the Ga Dangme community through sports.
Lord Coleman also expressed concern that boxing promoters receive no financial assistance from the regulatory authorities despite being required to pay sanctioning fees to organise events.
“The Ghana Boxing Authority sanctions our fights, but promoters have to pay for those services. We don’t receive funding from the authorities; instead, we finance the sport ourselves,” he said.
He disclosed that SEM Promotions will stage a World Professional Boxing Organization (WPO) Africa title bout in Ghana on September 26, where a Ghanaian boxer is expected to compete for the continental title.
Ahead of the event, he said he intends to meet President John Dramani Mahama to present proposals aimed at strengthening the boxing industry.
Among the key proposals, he said, are direct government investment in boxing promoters, support for coaches, rehabilitation of boxing gyms and improved healthcare for boxers through collaboration with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Ministry of Health.
Lord Coleman further outlined SEM Promotions’ long-term athlete development model, explaining that the organisation intends to identify talented young boxers from local gyms, sign agreements with their families and provide education, welfare and structured training until they are ready to compete professionally.
He said such an approach would ensure that promising young athletes receive the support needed to build successful careers while strengthening Ghana’s reputation as a boxing powerhouse.
