President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that his son, Sharaf Mahama, developed a deep interest in sports from a young age, a passion that has now grown into a full-fledged career in promoting youth development through sport.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua and the Legacy Rise Sports team to the Jubilee House on Monday, June 16, 2025, President Mahama expressed pride in Sharaf’s evolving role in the sporting landscape of Ghana.
“Sharaf has been passionate about sports since childhood. He knew the footballers, their wives, even their kids,” Mahama said, drawing laughter from guests.
He explained that Sharaf’s interest initially centered on football before transitioning into boxing, an evolution Mahama supported fully as a parent.
“I allowed him to pursue his passion. He started with football, then moved into boxing,” the President added.
The meeting formed part of Anthony Joshua’s ongoing visit to Ghana to support the “Battle of the Beasts” boxing event, spearheaded by Sharaf Mahama. The event is being positioned as a platform not only for athletic competition but also for youth empowerment through sports development.
Joshua, who arrived in Ghana on Friday, June 13, has been engaging with fans and encouraging greater investment in sports at the grassroots level. His endorsement of Sharaf’s efforts is seen as a significant boost to the initiative, which aims to make Ghana a prominent hub for boxing talent in Africa.
The visit highlighted the growing impact of Sharaf Mahama’s contributions to sports promotion, with President Mahama’s comments underlining the importance of parental support in nurturing young ambitions. The gathering at Jubilee House served as a symbolic meeting point between global sporting influence and local talent development.
