DAN SOWAH INTERVIEWS AZUMAH NELSON ON HIS “OMANYE ABA” SHOW
Read the interview in English below

Azumah Nelson was on “Omanye Aba” show on GIFradio last month to tell Ghanaians about his foundation, personal life before and after his boxing career. In an interview with Dan Sowah on the show, Azumah explained how he became a boxer and went further to say that God instituted boxing for the poor.  Like the saying goes “if you don’t know where you are going to, you must know where you are coming from”, he explained how his humility has won the hearts of all Ghanaians.

Read the interview below translated into English.

DS: Hello, I wish you good luck and may peace be onto you

AN: Same to you

DS: How’s back home

AN: By the grace of God all is well

DS: Over here in Paris the sun is shining and very hot and when the weather is like this we feel homesick

AN: Here in Accra, contrary, the weather is cold, the sun has not been shinning these days and the old folks are feeling very cold

DS: Before we go further what title or name (eulogy) would you like me or everyone to call you because you deserve all good titles to exalt your name? We Gadangmes upon hearing the name Azumah Nelson feel gratified and proud. Some people call you professor, others too call you Barimah and many more so which of these names or titles would you prefer?

AN: Laughter!!!! I respond to any name or title which I think refers to me. So I don’t really have a preference to or problem with any name that I’m being called

DS: So you mean you don’t really have a particular name which you prefer.

AN: No, not all. Everyone can call me any name that he or she likes most or prefer

DS: Barimah is not a Ga name?

AN: Yes of course, that’s right

DS: So I’m searching for a more suitable Ga name that we can all call you, I guess no one has yet found that name?

AN: Laughter!!!! Oh then go ahead and look for any suitable name for me

DS: Then I’m gonna look for that for you

AN: Ok!! That’s fine

DS: We are on GIFradio in Paris on “Omanye Aba” show being listened to around the globe and we would like to have some discussions with you.

AN: Laughter!!!! OK

DS: As I’ve said earlier on, you are a very prominent Gadangme person and people adore your name wherever it is mentioned. As it’s been said in the bible there’s a name, when it is mentioned, everyone bows. And that is God, we cannot compare you to God but…

AN: No, no, no, not at all

DS: I’ll insist we find a Gadangme title or name to suit all what you’ve done

AN: OK!!!!

DS: Everyone knows you are a very strong boxer, when and how did you discover your strength and potentials for you to become one of the greatest boxer’s in the world?

AN: Laughter!!!!!!!! People say I’m very strong. But I don’t feel I’m all that strong. And if it is so then it is by the grace of God. I think God has endowed everyone with a talent and if you are able to discover yours very early then you can develop it from there. I was fortunate enough to discover mine at an early stage.. Thanks to God and also my father who was a boxing fan. He really did help me very much to develop mine to become what I am today.

DS: Do you remember the first time you stepped into a boxing ring to throw a blow?

AN: Yes… It all happened like this. When I was about 8 years old, one day I saw a little boy of about 7 years with his boxing coach in a shop. The coach was ready to buy him boxing shoes. So I approached the coach and asked, what is the boy doing with the shoes, is he a boxer? The coach replied, yes he is a boxer. I told the coach that I can easily beat the boy and the coach said no, you can’t. I said I’m very sure I can beat him easily and the coach insisted no you can’t. So I dared and requested for a challenge and the coach agreed.

DS: By then the boy was already a boxer and you had never stepped into a boxing ring?

AN: Yes he was already a famous boxer. I insisted the challenge should come on right away because I was very confident I could beat him. But the coach said no I should come to their training center and a date was fixed. When I got there on the fixed date and time, they were already there in a full training session and I signaled to the coach and told him I’m here and ready for the fight.

The coach then called the boy and we were both given boxing gloves, we got into the ring and started fighting. This was my first fight.

DS: So you started beating him right from the start?

AN: No, No. when the fight begun, we exchanged serious blows but he was able to avoid almost all my blows from hitting him and the bout came to an end.

I went there with some friends to cheer me up. After the fight we conceded losing to the boy. When we got home I had sleepless night and reflected on the fight wondering how this boy was able to beat me. How an earth could he had won the fight? What were the tricks he’d learnt in boxing? After personal analysis, I gathered the errors I made during the fight and said to myself, I would not repeat those errors anymore, I needed a re-fight.

I was called for a re-fight and I went alone without my friends. When I got there, we stepped into the ring and started fighting but this time he couldn’t beat me like he did the first time. I went home after the bout and was very pleased with my performance.

I went for a third fight and this time it was a draw fight at the end. The fourth time I was certain that I won the fight and from there I continued beating him in our subsequent fights.

An older boy was brought to me for another bout and I beat him as well and I became the champion among all the boys of my age there. This is how I became a boxer.

DS: Do you still remember this boy you fought for the first time and can you tell us his name? Because if you had not seen this boy with his boxing shoes, you wouldn’t have thought of becoming a boxer?

AN: Oh yes of course, you know God transits through people to do things. It’s been really a long time, about 40 years ago and have forgotten his name. But I still remember him.

DS: Has he come to look for you for once?

AN: We know ourselves very well. He is now an electro-mechanic, repairing fridges and other electronic devices

DS: (Comments) If anyone sees someone with boxing shoes, just throw up a challenge and probably you can develop your talent from there

AN: That’s right

DS: We all know what a blow is. When you are hit by a blow, it’s very painful and hurtful. During your boxing career when you were in the ring fighting, the more an opponent hits you, the more you rush to the person and you never fell. What were your strategy and or the tricks?

AN: Boxing is like going to school.  If you are fortunate enough to have a very good teacher, you understand and learn things very easily. Luckily enough I had a very good teacher who taught me the in-depth of boxing and he played a significant role in my career. His name is Attuquaye Clottey one of the pioneer boxers in Ghana. (May his soul rest in peace). Boxing fans knows him very well. With some natural instincts too I was able to add some more to all what he taught me in boxing.

During a fight, I studied the opponent and, if I had to attack or rush on him I do rush on him and if I had to fight moving backwards I do, if I had to do a springing movement I do, also if I had to stand firm I do. All depending on the opponent’s strategy and style.

But before doing these you have to know all the techniques involved else you will be injured severely and lose a fight very easily.

DS: So it’s the way your opponent fights that determined how you should fight back?

AN: It is his fight style that tells me what to do because we have some people who are extremely strong and have got hefty blows and when you rush on to such a fighter he can easily wound you. Such a fighter, you have to fight moving backwards throwing careful blows and avoiding his at the same time. Others too they run from you and you have to chase them around. You cannot just chase such a person without knowing the techniques to dodge a blow. You chase this person and at the same time blocking his blows with your hands to avoid him from hitting your head or belly. The pressure you put on this person by chasing him will make him exhausted and there you start throwing your blows.
That’s it………..

DS: Meaning all the techniques are learnt

AN: Yes of course

DS: OK thanks a lot

DS: Most people say boxing is learnt or taught at the beach (seaside). When we were kids and we visit the beach, if an elder person sees someone of your age group, he will collect sand in both hands and say if you can withstand your opponent just blow away the sand from my hand. The other person will blow the sand in the other hand if he thinks he can withstand you then a fight ensues. Did you go through this process?

AN: No not at all. You know, naturally I’m a very quite person. I hate trouble and I don’t get near where trouble is. My only problem was, I hate cheating. You can cheat me but I hate to see someone being cheated no matter my relation with the person. I will let go any offence but not cheating and I will intercede on anybody’s behalf if I feel he’s being cheated.

DS: In all your fights, who do you think was your toughest opponent because we’ve watched most of your fights?

AN: Well they were all tough opponents but sometimes you meet tougher ones and you say hey!!! This is a very big problem. The toughest of them all is from Mexico by name Azabache Martinez.

DS: So it is not Pernell Whitaker who we think gave you a rough time.

AN: No not at all

DS: Can you repeat his name once again

AN: Yes His name is Azabache Martinez, He as strong and solid as a rock

DS: So if he is as strong and solid as a rock, then you are as strong as what? Because you did beat him…..

AN: Laughter!!!! The truth is we both know the techniques in boxing but in cases like this you need to be a faster thinker and smarter. If not you’ll make a mistake and lose the fight

This guy as well, has very powerful blows. When he threw a blow and I blocked it with my hands, it was like I’ve been hit with an iron bar.

Then I said to myself if this blow that I’ve blocked with my arms was to hit my head or jaw, that would have been the end of me.

I became more alerted and re-studied the fight to avoid any mistake on my part that would result to an injury or a knock down.

DS: OK thanks once again for this information

You know what, boxers have come and gone and most people say “Gas” (people from Accra) are very strong boxers. We all know Ike Quartey who was a boxer and a world champion. He won his world title here in Paris and I had the chance to meet him. We went out together each time he came here to fight and had a lot of discussions. Personally, I know there’s a cordial relation between you and him but people say because he also became a world champion the relation between you both is very bitter and more rivalry than cordial. Can you tell us about the existing relation between you? 

AN: You mean between me and Ike Quartey?

DS: Yes the relation between you and Ike Quartey as at now.

AN: Oh! Oh! He’s a very good friend. There’s nothing like rivalry between us. We both live in our separate ways. We call each other and talk over the phone sometimes and we lend one another a hand when the need arises. There’s no problem at all between us.

DS: OK, I’ve had a lot of discussions with you. Many people have had discussions with you. The whole world adores and cherishes you, nowhere in Ghana would your name be mentioned and you’ll be criticized. What’s the secret behind?

AN: I’ve got you right!! I always keep on saying, boxers, footballers I mean sportsmen in general………… You know “God instituted sports for the poor”. And normally it is the poor who are supposed to be submissive. They are those who are supposed to know God and seek his kingdom. The children of the rich have got everything and don’t want God’s name to be mentioned.

If you come from a poor family and you think of how you’ll suffer before getting some Gari to eat or how you’ll suffer before getting a little job to do for your daily bread, if by God’s grace you get the chance to train as a sportsman, when you look back, you don’t forget it is by your creator’s grace and mercy that you’ve gone to that point. If you keep this principle in mind, you won’t do anything without humility.

And if that happens, everybody will perceive you to be respectful, submissive and you fear God. The bible says “the fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom” so that if you fear the lord and follow his word, that will open doors and avenues for you. The bible also says “seek ye first the kingdom of God and all things shall be added unto thee” So if you accept the palpability that God is our creator and he’s the controller of the universe, you need to be submissive to him.  And if we are submissive to God, we shall be submissive to everyone and all things on earth.

Then you will hate to offend your brother or neighbour because it’s against the will of God. You will hate to be rude or speak evil to or against your brother or neighbour because it’s against the will of God. Upon these, God will give you directions and people, and they will know from your actions that truly, you fear the Lord, you are respectful and submissive. Upon these God will instill some spirit in those people and mercy upon their hearts and whatever will be your need, they’ll make provision for you. So submissiveness is primordial form of life.

DS: Thanks a lot for this touching and inspirational message. Very emotional indeed!!!! You’ve made me conscious of this basic principle of life.

AN: You’re most welcome

DS: You know what? Most people say the name Azumah is not from Greater Accra region. I do remember during the seventies we had a very beautiful lady singer from the Northern Region of Ghana called Christie Azumah who was with the Uppers international Band. Are you related?

1st Caller interrupts:

DS: Hi, we have on the show Azumah Nelson, you can put across your questions to him.

Caller: I will rather call him “Terrible Terror” in the stead Azumah Nelson…

AN: Laughter!!!!! Terrible Terror is one of my names

Caller: Terrible Terror, you keep on saying “God instituted sports for the poor”. My question is that…Is there any difference between a boxer  from a poor family who grew up and got trained in the Ghetto and a boxer  from a wealthy and educated family?

AN: There’s a very big difference… You know what? A boxer from the poor family, most of the time goes on an empty stomach and has no one to cater for him or to lean on. He doesn’t go to school because there’s no money to pay for his school fees. So if by chance God opens a way for him to become a boxer or a sportsman, he does it with all determination.

If you get into the ring to fight a wealthy man’s son who is a student at the university, you will not allow him to beat you. Even delicious and rich meals that he eats don’t make him courageous and bold enough to fight. He has never gone hungry so when he receives a big blow, he will think of the delicious meals he eats and will ask, why should I do this stupid thing? Is it because I’m hungry or what? When he thinks about the salad, rice and other delicious meals waiting for him on the dining table at home, he will just abandon the fight. A poor man’s son in the contrary will endeavour to wade through all the pains and difficulties he’ll encounter to succeed.

1st caller goes hangs off.

DS: Coming to my last question before caller came in. Can you tell us about you? Where exactly you come from because people doubt you are a Ga as some people by name Azumah come from the Volta region of Ghana as well.

AN: My father is from Bukom and my mother is from Osu and Teshie. When I was growing up, I was told we have Azumah and Azumaah. There’s a difference between these two names. Azumah’s are from the north and Azumaah’s are from the Tabon clan in the Greater Accra region. The Tabon clan migrated from Brazil and came to settle in Accra. And they have names like Azumaah. So I’m purely, a Ga from Accra. But that is unimportant and does not matter. What matters is loving one another. We ought to love one another. If God does not discriminate or distinguish between us why should we? So where you come from is unimportant, what really matters is loving one another……..

DS: Thanks a lot.. We’ve known about your Foundation, can you tell us about it?

2nd caller interrupts:

DS: We have Terrible Terror on the show.. Go ahead with your question

Caller: I only know him by the name Zoom Zoom so that is how I call him.

DS: Caller says he knows you by the name Zoom Zoom, where from that?

AN: laughter…….The name was given to me by the whites.. They said my punches goes zoom!!! Zoom!!! Zoom!!!. So they appended that to my names.

Caller: My question is….. Before you became a boxer and a world champion, who was or who is the Ga (Greater Accra) Boxer who inspired you?
My 2nd question is…. What is your perception about the Ghana Boxing Association? Since you retired from boxing we’ve not had any boxer like you and do you think in the next 10 years we can have a boxer of your caliber.

AN: Well it was my father who had wanted to be a boxer but my grandfather did not give him the chance. He started but to nowhere. As he was a boxing fan, I accompanied him every time he went out to watch a boxing bout. One day on our way home I saw two young boys fighting in a ring and one of them was perspiring. I thought he was weeping so I told my father to let me fight with the dominant. He said OK but we went home. I bothered him almost every day to take me to where I can train to become a boxer till one day I went to see my mother. It was there I saw the boy with the boxing shoes. So it was my father who had wanted to become a boxer and did not get the chance that permitted me to become a boxer.

Secondly whatever you’re doing, if you do it with humility God sees you through. So if we are to have another world champion like myself in the next 10 years will depend on whoever. There’s a saying ” if you seek, you will find”. So for the young ones, up and coming, if they are to follow my footsteps and learn from the way I’ve lived my life, I’m sure we can have a champion like me and even more. But you know what, these young ones, once they begin and get to a stage, they consider themselves to be already champions. If they realize that in this world, whatever one has done or is doing, it is never a new accomplishment. It has already been accomplished by someone else. And today where is the person who’s made preceding achievements?. His legacy continues to live but where is he?   So there’s time for everything. A time to begin and a time to end. If we are to give ourselves to God for him to give us directions or take control over our lives, I believe we can get many more champions.

3rd caller interrupts:

DS: We have Azumah Nelson with us on the show, Go ahead with your question

Caller: All of Ghana’s World boxing champions are from Bukom-Accra. Boxers like Attuquaye Clottey, D. K. Poison, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey and yourself Terrible Terror. If you visit Bukom today, there’s nothing like a gym or something to really inspire the youth and to prove to the outside world that all the world champions from Ghana are products of Bukom. Do you (all of you champions) have any rehabilitation plans for Bukom?

Communication breaks with Azumah:

A few munites later:

DS: We are sorry to have lost you on the phone but happy to have got you back.

AN: No problem we can go ahead

DS: Coming to your foundation, Can you tell us more about your foundation. Why a foundation and what are the objectives?.

AN: Yes, I have a foundation called Azumaah Nelson Foundation. We have acquired a very big plot of land and we have some important personalities as members of the foundation. Our chairman is Mr. P.V. Obeng. You know, I’m someone, right from my childhood who is very generous. I always like to share whatever I have. I also like to follow the principles of the Bible which is the book of God and I love humanity.

 I hate to see someone suffering on this earth. I wish I could help everyone in this world but unfortunately I don’t possess the ability. So if God has helped me, to get a name which I can use to help or support my little brothers and sisters who are desperate and despondent about life but have got the will to do something in the future, I think it will be my “dream come true” and it will glorify the name of God.

If through me and members of my foundation, Ghanaians or the whole world will help for a despondent to have some hope in the future, God will be very pleased. And through this we shall all be blessed and good omen will always befall on us. Any person who will hear of this foundation and will contribute to help the street child who doesn’t go to school,  to be able to go to school to the university level will always have a blessing.

Truly, not everyone will have the chance to go to school, that’s why we have included sports activities in our project so that the talented ones who are unable to go to school will be diverted to develop their talents in the areas or fields where they’re talented………….

DS: Please hold on….. can you tell us what the foundation is about, its objectives?

AN: We’ve planned for an educational project I mean a complete school, starting from class one up to the university level. We shall do many sports activities like, football, boxing, athletics, hockey, swimming, I mean everything concerning sports. Also we shall train the children in Engineering, Piloting, Information Technology, Science and prepare them to come out with skills and qualifications. That is our objective. And we are doing this for the poor and the needy who have no one to help them.

DS: Is your foundation a government assisted or a non governmental one?

AN: Infact, this has always been my dream and I always pray to God to let the dream become a reality. It is something that I grew up with, like I’ve said, I’m a generous person and I always want to share what I have with people around me. I always like to give and I find a lot of pleasure in giving and sharing with other people.

DS: Meaning you are not selfish?

AN: No not all. So when I brought up this idea, a lot of people and companies accepted and have adhered to it. They are ready to help make it a success. Construction of a fence around the 50 acre plot of land is underway and we’ve started building the school blocks. The project is in 3 phases. 1st,2nd and 3rd . The school will be operational when we get to the 2nd phase. That’s where admission of the children to the school will commence and gradually, till the last phase which is the completion of the project then full operation takes place.

DS: I think this is not a small project. And I believe it is not easy to get someone like you in Ghana who’ll endeavour to help others by investing all his acquired wealth into a project like this. Many Ghanaians have been rich through sports but none has a project like what you are doing now, are you not one in a million?

AN: There’s a saying,”Many were called but few were chosen”. I think my mission on this earth is to carry out this project. May be, if God has given the same mission to someone else the person will equally do it. That is my mission and I have to accomplish it, so don’t be surprised that others don’t do it.  That might not be their mission on earth. If I begin doing it now, I think it may inspire other sportsmen to come and do likewise and continue to do more.

DS: If someone wants to get in touch with you to contribute towards your foundation, how can the person do so?

AN:  Now, we are creating a website. Sooner than later we shall finish. I will implore all those who will like to help to exercise restraint and when all is done, information about the website will be published by the media and on the internet. Then you can visit the website to get all the necessary information you may need.

But let me remind you that, it is not just about having money to give out or contribute towards the foundation. It is for helping the poor and the needy children. You need to have the feeling, the empathy for the poor and needy and be conscious, before your give your money out or contribute towards the foundation.

DS: We have here in our studio Patrick who accompanied Enoch Effah (the Ghanaian world kickboxing champion from Paris) to your home in Accra, he will like to have a word or two with you.

AN: Ok let him go ahead.

PT: Thanks very much for all what you’ve done for the whole of Ghana. I feel very proud wherever your name is mentioned. You know what, I was baffled with the way you received us when I came with Enoch Effah to you at your home. That proved to me you really deserve whatever you’ve achieved on earth. Enoch Effah has vowed to make his contributions towards your foundation. He said, since he is a trainer in kickboxing he will also to train the children in kickboxing and that will be his contribution to your foundation.

AN: I thank you very very much and also Enoch for having this idea in mind. Well a Ga proverb says, “It is only one woman who gives birth to a child, but the child is never raised by her alone”. Every contribution of his towards the foundation is welcome. Once again I say thank you and I beseech the almighty’s blessings to fall on you abundantly. Good luck and stay well.

DS: Ok, Mr, Zoom, Zoom, professor, Terrible Terror Azumaah, what else, I mean title should I add to your name?

AN: Laughter…… You can add “Lion of Africa” Laughter.

DS: You know, you deserve all these titles. It’s been a great pleasure and honour to have you on my show. Saying just thank you verbally won’t be enough to express my appreciation and gratitude.  It’s only the almighty God who can reward you for all what you’ve done and still doing. On behalf of GIFradio in Paris, I say thank you and may God bless you.

AN: I thank you very much and I’m happy to be on your show. I seek God’s guidance to be with you. I’m always available for you and don’t hesitate to get in touch. Bye for now.

DS. Bye!!! Bye!!! Listeners,  what a wonderful Azumah, the guy is very great.

Phone Hangs off.

End of Interview.