Former 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 the Police on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with investigations into a video circulating on social media in which he is alleged to have issued the threat.

He was arraigned before the Dansoman Circuit Court on Tuesday, August 25, and was remanded in custody to reappear on September 2, 2026.

He remains in police custody as the Accra Regional Police Command continues investigations into the alleged threat.

His arrest follows calls by 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 urged the Police Service to take immediate action.

“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 cautioned that Ghanaian boxing must not be allowed to become a victim of “intimidation, thuggery or impunity”, while calling on stakeholders to work towards restoring discipline, respect and integrity to the sport.

The committee disclosed that it had also commenced disciplinary proceedings against Ayitey Powers, potentially exposing him to consequences beyond the ongoing police investigation.

The latest development comes amid longstanding disagreements between Ayitey Powers and the NSA over the cancellation of a boxing event organised by his Ayitey Powers Promotions in September last year.

Powers has alleged that he suffered losses of nearly $100,000 after the NSA and Ministry of Sports and Recreation suspended boxing activities on the eve of the September 27 event. He has subsequently engaged in several public exchanges with the NSA Director-General on social and mainstream media over the matter.

Despite the disagreements, the two men appeared to have reconciled publicly in May when they were seen in what was described as a peace-building gesture.

The broader reforms within Ghanaian boxing followed the temporary suspension of all boxing activities on September 26, 2025, after the death of Ernest “Bahubali” Akushey, who died 12 days after suffering a stoppage defeat at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

The incident was the second boxing-related death within six months. In March 2025, Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed during a bout at the same venue and later died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

The GBIMC was subsequently sworn into office on September 29, 2025, with a mandate to reform Ghana’s boxing ecosystem and introduce safety and medical measures.

Meanwhile, the Police have urged the public to refrain from circulating unverified information as investigations into the alleged threat continue.