Jessie Lartey, Ghana’s sole medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, has expressed his disappointment at the lack of recognition and celebration he has received since his achievement. Despite clinching a bronze medal for the nation, Lartey says he feels overlooked and underappreciated as both a boxer and a national figure.
Speaking in an exclusive interview at the Bukom Boxing Arena, the former Black Bomber, now a Sergeant with the Ghana Prisons Service, described his journey as both fulfilling and frustrating. “Boxing is my life, and I know I am a talented and skillful boxer. But after the 2018 Commonwealth Games, things didn’t turn out as I expected,” Lartey said.
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Although he has since transitioned to the professional ranks and remains undefeated in five bouts (three by knockout), the boxer revealed he often feels invisible in public spaces. “When I go out, people don’t recognize me or even know who I am, and it feels terrible,” he admitted.
Lartey partially attributes this lack of recognition to poor media and institutional support. “I can’t leave anyone out. I blame both the media and the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF). The Federation should work with the media to promote boxers and help people appreciate boxing more,” he argued.
On Ghana’s absence from the boxing lineup at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Lartey didn’t mince words. “The state of Ghanaian boxing is bad. We should have built on the success of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but preparation for the Paris qualifiers was poor. There was no proper camping, attention, or supervision, and that hurt our chances,” he lamented.
Despite these setbacks, Lartey remains optimistic. Inspired by Ghanaian boxing legend Professor Azumah Nelson, he dreams of becoming a world champion and putting Ghanaian boxing back on the global map. “After Azumah Nelson, I want to prove that Ghana still has great boxers,” he said passionately.
Now balancing his career as a professional boxer and a member of the Ghana Prisons Service, Lartey expressed gratitude to his employers for their support. He also commended the Ghana Professional Boxing League for providing opportunities for boxers to shine, even as the amateur scene struggles.
From a boxing family rooted in discipline and skill, Jessie and his brother Jerry Lartey—trained by their father, Coach Lartekwei Lartey—represent a legacy of hard work and dedication. As he continues to climb the professional ranks, Lartey remains hopeful that one day, he will receive the honor and celebration he rightfully deserves.
“Boxing fans should expect something big from Jessie Lartey. I want to be remembered as one of the greats,” he concluded.
