Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has received a symbolic and strategic honor from Ghana’s President, John Mahama, who offered him Ghanaian citizenship and proposed that he serve as a continental ambassador for boxing across Africa. The offer came during Joshua’s courtesy visit to Ghana’s Jubilee House as part of his engagements for the Legacy RISE Sports: Battle of the Beasts event.
High-Level Reception at Jubilee House
Joshua, whose Nigerian heritage is widely celebrated, was warmly welcomed in Accra by President Mahama, along with other high-profile figures, including Ghanaian boxing legend Azumah Nelson, Ghana’s Sports Minister Kofi Adams, and Legacy RISE Sports CEO Sharaf Mahama.
In a ceremony that blended official state recognition with sports diplomacy, President Mahama praised Joshua not just for his achievements inside the ring but for the powerful influence he holds as a global figure of African descent. The president emphasized the need to use Joshua’s influence to uplift young Africans through sport.
“If you want us to give you a Ghanaian passport, we will give you,” President Mahama declared with visible enthusiasm, citing Joshua’s close cultural ties to the country.
Mahama went further to articulate a deeper vision, stating, “He will be our ambassador. It needs people like him to help change the lives of young people, and so we wish him to be an ambassador for boxing in Africa and take that as one of the causes that he champions.”
A Call to Inspire the Next Generation
The president’s remarks reflected more than just ceremonial praise. Mahama linked Joshua’s legacy to a broader movement aimed at transforming African youth through sports. He described the boxer as a role model who could inspire a new wave of African boxing champions and bring attention to the continent’s immense sporting potential.
“After him, there will be a wave of boxers who would also make Africa proud and change the societies from which they come. You are an icon very much loved in Ghana,” he told Joshua.
Joshua’s presence at Jubilee House formed part of a wider visit centered around the Battle of the Beasts boxing event, organized under the Legacy RISE Sports platform. The initiative seeks to elevate African sports through world-class events, athlete development, and community engagement.
A Shift in Perspective: Joshua Reflects on Visiting Ghana
During his address at the Jubilee House, Joshua shared candid reflections on how his perception of Ghana changed after his visit. He admitted that visiting Ghana had not initially been on his travel agenda, largely due to playful rivalry narratives he had heard from fellow Nigerians.
“Coming to Ghana actually wasn’t on my agenda,” Joshua confessed. “Because, for some reason, everyone in Nigeria puts Nigeria above Ghana. But I’m now here and I’m looking around like, they’ve been lying to me.”
His honest admission triggered laughter and applause from the attendees, lightening the mood and highlighting the strong cultural ties—and friendly rivalry—between Nigeria and Ghana.
Joshua praised Ghana’s infrastructure, hospitality, and organization, stating:
“I’m impressed with your beautiful country, amazing culture, hospitality, the airport, the organisation, and I can’t wait to go back and tell everyone across the world how beautiful this place is.”
Champion’s Visit Sparks National Excitement
Joshua’s arrival in Ghana on Friday, June 13, sparked excitement nationwide. Beyond formal ceremonies, his itinerary included training sessions with young boxers, outreach activities, and meetings with stakeholders in Ghana’s sports ecosystem. His visible presence in gyms and on the streets of Accra captured the hearts of both fans and aspiring athletes.
The Battle of the Beasts event, which brought Joshua to Ghana, serves as a broader platform to connect African boxing with international exposure. Organized under Legacy RISE Sports—a venture focused on using sports as a development tool—Joshua’s involvement adds star power and credibility to the initiative’s goals.
Sports Diplomacy as a Unifying Tool
The decision to invite Joshua as an ambassador for African boxing ties into a growing recognition of the power of sports diplomacy. As countries seek to reshape narratives, attract investment, and inspire youth, sports figures like Joshua are increasingly seen as bridge-builders.
President Mahama’s gesture was not just about symbolic citizenship, but about inviting Joshua to align himself with a cause rooted in social transformation.
“We want him to help change lives, mentor young fighters, and become a symbol of hope and perseverance for Africa’s youth,” Mahama noted.
Ghana’s Strategic Sports Vision
Joshua’s proposed ambassadorship aligns with Ghana’s broader vision to invest in sports as a vehicle for national development. With boxing deeply rooted in Ghanaian sports history—thanks to legends like Azumah Nelson—the country is aiming to reclaim its prominence on the global boxing stage.
The president’s offer of citizenship also underscores Ghana’s growing efforts to embrace the African diaspora and celebrate individuals of African heritage who are excelling globally. This fits into Ghana’s “Beyond the Return” campaign, which seeks to foster connections between Ghana and the global Black community.
What Comes Next?
While Joshua has yet to publicly respond to the citizenship offer, his expressions of admiration and enjoyment during his visit suggest a warming relationship with the West African nation. If he accepts, he could play a key role in championing sports development and representing a pan-African identity in global boxing.
As Legacy RISE Sports gains traction, and Ghana continues to invest in sports infrastructure and youth programming, the impact of Joshua’s ambassadorship could go far beyond headlines—potentially changing the face of boxing across the continent.
For now, the boxing icon’s Ghanaian visit has not only deepened ties between two of West Africa’s biggest nations but has also elevated the conversation around the role of sports in Africa’s future.
