For the 7 times he participated in the Ghana’s Strongest Competition organised by TV3, he represented the Ashanti Region despite being a native of the Upper East Region.
Many residents of his home region have questioned why he would choose to represent another region instead of taking advantage of the platform to project his place of origin.
Some berated him as they believe he is not proud to identify as an indigene of the Upper East Region.
However, in an interview on Dreamz FM’s Compact Sports, Godfred Akolbila, winner of the 2023 Ghana’s Strongest, explained why he represented a place other than his place of origin in the reality show.
He said although the driving force behind his relentless struggle for years for the title was earning the Upper East Region the bragging right of being home to the most strongest man in the country, he could not represent the region in the competition because of where he auditioned.
Per the rules of the game, according to him, an athlete represents the region where he auditioned regardless of where they hail from.
And since, in all his appearances, he auditioned in the Ashanti Region, he was obligated to represent the region.
“People would call you and say why are you always representing Ashanti Region when you very well you are a Guringa. They have never auditioned in this region. And wherever you audition, you’ll represent the city,” he stated.
“A Ashanti Region is where I auditioned so I’m under obligation to represent that place. But it doesn’t mean I am not a Guringa or have suddenly become an Asante”.
Godfred Akolbila expressed his readiness to represent his home region in the future should organisers of the competition extend the auditioning to that part of the country.
Akolbila bagged the title in August this year after 6 failed attempts. He stood out among other competitors who equally displayed spectacular physical prowess through various physical activities.
