Former Ghanaian boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as Ayitey Powers, has been remanded for one week following his arrest over an alleged death threat against National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.
Ayitey Powers was arrested by police on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with investigations into a video circulating on social media in which the former boxer allegedly issued the threat. He was subsequently put before the Dansoman Circuit Court on Tuesday, August 25, where he was remanded to reappear on September 2, 2026. He remains in police custody as the Accra Regional Police Command continues investigations into the alleged threat.
The development follows a strong call from the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC) for his arrest and prosecution, after the committee condemned the alleged conduct. In a statement issued on August 20, the GBIMC described the alleged threat against the NSA Director-General as unacceptable and criminal and called on the Police Service to act. "We are requesting the Ghana Police Service as a matter of urgency to investigate and appropriately prosecute Michael Nii Ayitey Okai," the committee stated.
The GBIMC also warned that Ghanaian boxing must not be held hostage by "intimidation, thuggery or impunity," and urged stakeholders to help restore discipline, respect and honour to the sport. The committee said it had separately initiated disciplinary proceedings against Ayitey Powers, meaning the case could carry consequences for him beyond the police investigation.
The arrest comes against the backdrop of a longstanding dispute between Ayitey Powers and NSA authorities, stemming from his complaints over a government-enforced cancellation of a boxing event his company, Ayitey Powers Promotions, was due to host in September last year, and an alleged commitment to financial compensation by the NSA boss. Powers claims he lost close to $100,000 when the NSA and Ministry of Sports and Recreation suspended all boxing activities on the eve of the September 27 show, and has had repeated back-and-forth exchanges with the NSA chief on social and mainstream media over the past few months, including a public display of an apparent peace pipe with Ankrah last May.
The GBIMC was sworn into office on September 29, 2025, to sanitise the boxing ecosystem and establish safety and medical reforms, following the temporary ban of all boxing activities on September 26 in the wake of the death of Ernest "Bahubali" Akushey 12 days after a brutal stoppage loss at the Bukom Boxing Arena. It was the second ring-related death in six months, following the collapse and later death at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju in March 2025.
Police have urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information while investigations continue, with Powers in custody.
