A GNA feature by Simon Asare
Accra, Aug. 9, GNA – Ghana’s dream of winning its first-ever Olympic gold medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Games will not be achieved through magic but would require deliberate planning, sustained investment, technical excellence, and unwavering commitment to athletes over the next two years.
For a country that has waited several decades for an Olympic champion, the quest for gold could become one of the greatest achievements in Ghanaian sporting history, rivalling or even beating Black Stars’ memorable run to the quarterfinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The recently concluded 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, certainly served as a crucial assessment of Team Ghana’s readiness for Los Angeles 2028.
Like a mock examination before a final test, the competition exposed both strengths and weaknesses that could shape the country’s fortunes in Los Angeles.
While Ghana returned home with only two medals (One silver, one bronze), the results told a story of immense potential, untapped talent, and critical areas requiring urgent attention.
With less than two years to the Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympic Games, Ghana’s sporting stakeholders face a defining moment, and decisions taken now could determine whether the nation finally ends its long wait for Olympic gold and adding to its medal tally.
The Missing Link: Strengthening Technical Capabilities
Talent has never been Ghana’s biggest problem.
At the 2026 Commonwealth Games, several Ghanaian athletes showed they possessed the physical attributes and competitive spirit required to succeed internationally.
However, many were ultimately outperformed by opponents who benefited from superior tactical preparation and technical guidance.
A case in point was what transpired in the men’s 55kg boxing semifinal contest between Ghana’s Mohammed Amadu and Australia’s Jye Dixon.
Amadu appeared dominant during the opening exchanges and looked in comfortable lead on the judges’ scorecard. Yet as the bout progressed, the Australian adjusted his tactics, seized control of the contest and eventually earned a 4-1 split-decision victory.
The result highlighted a recurring challenge in Ghanaian sport: talented athletes frequently compete against rivals who have access to stronger coaching structures, advanced sports science support, superior performance analysis and better in-competition decision-making.
Across multiple sporting disciplines, Ghanaian competitors often matched opponents in talent but fell short in strategy and execution.
This highlights the need for massive investment in coaching education, sports science, data analysis, nutrition and athlete management must become a priority rather than an afterthought.
International expertise, continuous coach development programmes and exposure to high-level competitions could prove just as valuable as funding athletes themselves.
Expanding Search for World-Class Talent
One of the clearest lessons from Glasgow was the need for a more aggressive talent identification strategy, particularly among athletes of Ghanaian descent living abroad.
Many countries increasingly rely on dual-national athletes who have access to elite training systems in Europe, North America and other parts of the world.
Ghana possesses a large diaspora community capable of producing athletes who can compete at the highest level.
A typical example is Canadian boxer Joshua Ofori who won bronze medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, highlighting Ghana’s vast pool of talents not only in boxing but across various disciplines.
His success demonstrated that there may be several other athletes with Ghanaian heritage capable of strengthening Team Ghana across various disciplines.
With over 50 sporting disciplines to be featured at the Los Angeles Olympics, the Ghana Olympic Committee, national federations and other sporting agencies must develop structured programmes to identify, engage and support talented athletes with Ghanaian roots abroad.
Keeping Athletes Competition Ready
Another pressing concern is the lack of consistent preparation between major competitions.
Too often, athletes train intensely ahead of international championships before returning to long periods of inactivity or inadequate support once the competition ends.
With Los Angeles 2028 approaching, local athletes must remain active through regular camps, competitions and performance monitoring programmes.
Structured camping systems would provide athletes with professional training environments, sports medicine support, nutritional guidance and psychological preparation.
Frequent national championships and development competitions would also help uncover emerging talents while keeping established athletes in peak condition.
Greater Investment in Para Sports
Perhaps the strongest argument for reform comes from Ghana’s para-athletes, many of whom have consistently delivered impressive performances despite receiving limited resources.
It was all joy when Zinabu Issah won a silver medal for Ghana at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as she made a strong case for massive investment in para-sports.
Some years ago, Zinabu was just a petty trader going about her normal business until been scouted by her coach. Perhaps they could be more Zinabu’s in the markets who could excel in various sporting disciplines.
Veteran para-athlete Botsyo Nkegbe has long advocated greater support for para sport, arguing that athletes competing in these disciplines often achieve remarkable results despite the little support.
“We don’t want to compare ourselves to the Black Stars. We don’t need much to win laurels for Ghana. We just need an equal share of the cake. Invest $9000 in my preparation and give me $1000 when I win gold,” Nkegbe said in an interview during the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
His comments reflect a wider belief among many sporting stakeholders that strategic investment could yield substantial returns at both the Paralympic and international levels.
There is no doubt that with Los Angeles approaching, a greater funding for wheelchair racing, para-athletics, para-powerlifting and other Paralympic disciplines could significantly improve Ghana’s medal prospects.
Reward excellence fairly
Athletes often speak about the importance of recognition and incentives.
In football, qualification for major tournaments like the World Cup does bring substantial financial rewards for Black Stars players who receive $100,000 appearance fee.
A similar incentive package for athletes who qualify for the Olympics and Paralympics could be a gamechanger for Ghanaian sports as we quest to win more medals.
Such support would also send a powerful message that Olympic and Paralympic success is valued equally within Ghana’s sporting landscape.
After all, few moments in sport are as inspiring as watching a nation’s flag rise during the opening ceremony of the Olympics or when its anthem is played during a gold medal ceremony.
Time for new approach
Since making its Olympic debut in 1952, Ghana has won only five Olympic medals and is yet to capture a gold.
The country’s sporting history shows that talent has never been lacking. From boxing and athletics to weightlifting and football, generations of athletes have demonstrated the potential to compete with the world’s best.
The challenge has always been turning that potential into podium finishes.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games offered a timely reminder that Olympic success is within reach but cannot be taken for granted and that it would take long term planning, strong technical support, among others as mentioned earlier.
If Ghana embraces these lessons and begins preparations now, the dream of hearing the national anthem played in celebration of an Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles would not be an illusion but reality.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Simon Asare
Email: [email protected]