By Simon Asare, GNA
Accra, Nov. 08, GNA – The Ghanaian sporting fraternity has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Olympic weightlifter Alberta Boatemaa Ampomah at the age of 32.
The Ghana Olympians Association, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), and the GOC Athletes Commission announced her passing in a statement, describing her as a devoted servant of athletes and Olympians in Ghana.
“With deep sorrow, the Ghana Olympians Association, Ghana Olympic Committee and GOC Athletes Commission mourn Alberta Ampomah, OLY (1994-2026), Ghana’s first Olympic weightlifter and a devoted servant of her fellow Olympians and athletes. May her soul rest in peace,” the statement said.
Ampomah etched her name into Ghana’s sporting history when she represented the nation in weightlifting at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, becoming the first Ghanaian female weightlifter to compete at the world’s biggest sporting event.
Competing in the women’s super-heavyweight (+75kg) category, she lifted a total of 174kg, made up of 73kg in the snatch and 101kg in the clean and jerk, to finish 13th out of 14 competitors.
Her qualification for the London Olympics came after a notable performance at the African Olympic qualifiers, where she placed third in the clean and jerk division before earning a wild card entry to the Games.
Prior to her Olympic appearance, Ampomah represented Ghana at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, and competed at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in the same year, where she won a bronze medal.
Beyond weightlifting, Ampomah remained actively involved in sports development and athlete welfare.
She also officiated in armwrestling competitions, contributing significantly to the growth of the sport in Ghana.
Her death marks a huge loss to Ghana’s Olympic movement and the wider sporting community, where she was admired for her pioneering achievements and dedication to service.
Tributes have begun pouring in from athletes, officials and sports enthusiasts, who remember her as a trailblazer who inspired many young women to take up weightlifting and pursue excellence in sport.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Simon Asare
Email: [email protected]