Story by Augustine Appiah:

Gideon Oyiadzo, spokesperson for the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Ghana Boxing Authority, has addressed the recent controversy surrounding Ghanaian boxer Joseph Laryea’s bout in Argentina.

According to Oyiadzo, the IMC woke up to the news that Laryea was in Argentina to compete without the required release letter. His manager later reached out, and a release letter was issued at the last minute to allow the fight to proceed.

“The issue will be dismissed at the IMC management level to deal with,” Oyiadzo stated. He emphasized that no one wishes Laryea ill over what occurred, describing the episode instead as “a wake-up call to his management and the other boxers to learn from.”

Broader Context on IMC Reforms
Oyiadzo also spoke on the wider challenges facing the IMC. The committee was given three months to deliver reforms (within a 90-day window), but progress has not unfolded as planned. Despite the delays, the IMC has continued engaging the federation.

He stressed that the IMC’s core mandate is reform, and that funding is far from the only obstacle. “You have brought 19 doctors to make recommendations, the coaches we have are not well trained and all this are reforms we have attached to our documents regarding our work that was given to us. And all this need money to do but without money what can you do,” he noted.

Looking ahead, Oyiadzo indicated that the next step is to engage the appointing authority to determine the future of the IMC’s work and whether its mandate will be allowed to continue or come to an end.

The IMC continues to push for structural improvements in Ghanaian boxing, including better medical oversight, coach development, and stricter compliance with international competition protocols such as proper release procedures.