Former Ghana Boxer Ayitey Powers remanded until September 2 over alleged death threat

Former Ghanaian boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as Ayitey Powers, has been ordered to remain in custody until September 2, 2026, according to the Dansoman Circuit Court. He was apprehended on August 24, 2026, by the Accra Regional Police Command following the dissemination of a video on social media platforms, which allegedly contained a death threat directed at National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.

Powers voluntarily surrendered himself to the police after being invited to contribute to the investigation. Subsequently, he was charged at the Dansoman Circuit Court on August 25, 2026. The court decided to remand him for a week, granting additional time for the police to continue their investigations. As of the present date, Powers remains under custody.

The Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC) had previously urged for Powers' arrest and prosecution, labeling his alleged actions as unacceptable. The committee stated that they had initiated their own disciplinary proceedings against him. Following his arrest, Powers delivered a public apology to Ankrah, asserting that his comments were made out of anger, were a "slip of the tongue," and that he did not possess a firearm nor intended to engage in any violent actions.

The police have emphasized that the public should refrain from disseminating unverified information while the ongoing investigations are being conducted.