By Rihana Adam, GNA
Accra, May 23, GNA – The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana (NPC-Ghana) has officially launched Ghana’s qualification journey towards the 2028 Summer Paralympic Games as the national Para Powerlifting team departed for the African Open Para Powerlifting Championships in Oran, Algeria.
The championship, organised under the supervision of World Para Powerlifting, scheduled for May 21-24, 2026, at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex and forms part of the official qualification pathway towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
The Ghanaian delegation led by para powerlifters Tahiru Haruna, Isaac Obeng and Isaac Nii Ayitey Tagoe, who would be making his debut appearance at a World Para Powerlifting sanctioned competition.
The team was supported by Prince Nyarko, Head of Delegation, Coach George Ohene-Adu and Medical Personnel Tilly Naa Adei Lutterodt.
Guest athlete Oghenenyerhovwo Glory Unuefewa also joined the team for classification.
Participation of the entire Ghanaian contingent has been fully sponsored by Mr. Samson Deen, President of NPC Ghana, as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s status in para sports across the continent.
Following Ghana’s impressive second-place finish behind Nigeria at the West Africa Para Games, Mr. Deen reaffirmed his commitment to supporting disciplined and hardworking athletes capable of winning medals at international competitions.
He said, “African athletes must end tourism and focus on mounting the podium anytime they travel for competitions”
Mr. Deen also called on African governments to prioritise investment in para sports to improve the continent’s competitiveness on the global stage.
He said, “Zero financial support got us medals. Imagine what proper investment in para sports can do for Africa on the world stage,” he added.
Since 2025, Ghana’s para-athletes have consistently excelled in international competitions, winning medals and raising the country’s profile in para sports.
Ghana has also secured qualification for five athletes across Para Swimming, Para Athletics and Para Powerlifting for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with hopes of winning the nation’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in para sports.
As part of preparations towards the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Mr. Deen has promised the team international training camps in France and Azerbaijan to enhance their technical abilities and readiness for the competition.
The NPC Ghana noted that the Algeria championship was not only about qualification points, but also aimed at building a winning culture, exposing athletes to elite-level competition and positioning Ghana strongly on the road to the 2028 Summer Paralympic Games.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade