PRESS RELEASE
Gha
The Ghana Basketball Association (GBBA) has conferred Honorary Membership on Colonel Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), a gesture that sparked warm applause and marked one of the standout moments of the association’s Elective Congress in Sunyani.
Ahmedu, the influential President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, was recognised for his decades-long commitment to strengthening basketball in Ghana and across West Africa.
His work, often done quietly behind the scenes, has helped shape development programmes, guide administrative reforms, and deepen Ghana’s integration into the continental basketball structure.
The GBBA described the honour as a celebration of a man whose impact goes far beyond borders.
From capacity-building for coaches and referees to championing Ghana’s inclusion in high-level FIBA governance, Ahmedu has consistently been one of the sport’s strongest advocates in the sub-region. His support has been crucial during periods of transition within the GBBA, earning him deep respect among Ghanaian basketball stakeholders.
The surprise announcement at the congress drew a wave of applause, with delegates rising to acknowledge a figure many regard as a pillar of African basketball leadership.
For Ahmedu, a former Nigerian military officer turned sports administrator, the honour underscores his growing influence as Zone 3 President, where he oversees basketball affairs across eight West African nations.
The GBBA’s recognition not only cements his legacy in Ghana but also signals a renewed spirit of collaboration between the association and FIBA Africa Zone 3.
In a region striving to elevate its basketball footprint, Colonel Ahmedu’s appointment as an Honorary Member stands as both a tribute to his past and a nod to the brighter future he continues to help build.
Signed
Maxwell Kumoye
For Friends of Colonel Sam Ahmedu
