Ankrah held the Commonwealth featherweight title from 1951 to 1952[1] and had his biggest fight against then-reigning NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight world champion in a non-title fight as both fighters weighed above the 118-pound (54 kg) limit for a bantamweight fighter.
During his time with the Armed Forces, he was sent to India during World War II, where he is said to have participated in numerous exhibition fights and championships.
During this time, he defeated Nigerian stoker Kid Parry, claiming the title of West African champion.
[2] During this period, he became the national champion in five different weight classes; flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.
[2] Following a suggestion by his fellow fighter Freddie Mills, Ankrah made his debut as the first Ghanaian to fight overseas.