In Memoriam: Ghanaian Sports Personalities Who Passed Away in 2025

The Ghanaian sports community is in mourning following the loss of several prominent figures in 2025, including legendary athletes and dedicated administrators. Among those remembered is Wilberforce Mfum, a celebrated striker for Asante Kotoko and the national team, who passed away on May 11 at the age of 88 after a brief illness. Mfum was renowned for his contributions to Ghanaian football, including winning the AFCON title and representing the nation at the 1964 Olympics.

Tragically, the year also saw the loss of Nana Pooley, a devoted Asante Kotoko fan who was stabbed during a violent altercation at a match against Nsoatreman FC. His death highlights the ongoing issues of violence in sports.

In the realm of football administration, Jonathan Abbey Pobee, the founder and long-serving president of Neoplan Stars FC, died on June 5. He was known for his advocacy for transparency within the sport. The sports community also mourns the passing of Ackah Anthony, a former president of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) and a veteran journalist, who died on June 21, and Ebo Quansah, another former SWAG president who passed away on June 26.

Boxing also faced its losses with the deaths of Ernest Akushey (Bahubali), who succumbed to injuries sustained in a match at the age of 32 on September 23, and Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun, who tragically collapsed during a fight in Ghana on March 29 and later died in the hospital. These losses reflect the profound impact these individuals had on their respective sports and the legacy they leave behind in Ghana.