President Akufo-Addo has instructed the Ministry of Finance to pay back an amount of $45,000 to former Ghanaian World Boxing Champion, D.K. Poison.
It’s reported that D. K. Poison borrowed the state $45,000 in 1976 after being persuaded by then Head of State, Col. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong.
The money was used to import mackerel into the country to mitigate the harsh economic conditions in Ghana at the time.
However, 44 years on, all attempts to reclaim the money from the state have proved futile despite promises by past governments to ensure he was reimbursed with the amount owed him.
D. K. Poison last year paid a courtesy call on Akufo-Addo with the President promising to resolve his claim.
In a letter dated 28th September 2020, the President has given his approval for the payment of D. K. Poison’s loan.
On September 20, 1975, D.K. Poison became the first Ghanaian to win a world title when he defeated the champion, Reuben Olivares, by split points in a 15-round clash in Inglewood, California.
He lost the title the following year after a unanimous points defeat to American Danny “Little Red” Lopez at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Evans Boateng
