Richard Attoh -Okine has been appointed a Patron of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA). According to Patrick Johnson, Secretary General of the GBA, the decision was taken at the executive board meeting on January 20, 2015 in Accra.
According to Johnson, the new Patron is expected to attend executive board meetings and offer them ideas to reshape and better the Ghana Boxing Authority. He noted that the executive committee has closely monitored Attoh - Okine and seen that he has positive ideas and plans that can be of use to Ghana Sports in general and it is about time that he is brought on board.
Richard Attoh - Okine who also spoke about the appointment in an interview with yours truly said he was humbled by the appointment and hoped that Ghana Boxing would move forward so that more world champions can be produced by local coaches.
He lamented about the qualification of boxing coaches in Ghana as only a handful are fully qualified to coach professionals. He said Ghana abounds in many talents so it is about time that coaches undergo training so that they can produce durable and possible world beaters.
Attoh - Okine, a keen boxing enthusiast hinted that Ghana does not have a world champion currently and efforts must be done for the young talents like Richard Commey, Fred Lawson, Michael Ansah, Manyo Plange and the Bastie brothers to claim titles.
He said Bukom Banku can also go places if he disciplines himself as well as former IBF champion Joshua Clottey who can come back to win another world title.
The former USA based IT expert appealed to promoters to invest in boxing as the sport can be a tool for advertising, promotions and marketing.
He commended the GBA executive headed by Lawyer Peter Zwennes for their hard work despite the difficulties in getting promoters and managers to stage fights.
He also congratulated the media for their role in supporting activities of the GBA and propagating information about the GBA and local boxers.