BY Grace Zigah
Ghana’s rising generation of student-athletes has made a bold statement on the continental stage, returning from the maiden African School Games in Algeria with an impressive tally of 14 medals.
The breakthrough performance included two gold, three silver, and nine bronze medals, underlining the growing impact of the grassroots sports development.
The multi-sport event, which brought together top school athletes from across Africa, proved to be a particularly fruitful campaign for Ghana in badminton.
The sport delivered both of the nation’s gold medals, as well as a number of podium finishes across singles, doubles, and team events.
In the girls doubles badminton final, Adu Moslena Ama Korama and Quarcoo Racheal dominated their opponents to clinch gold.
Moslena Ama Korama then teamed up with Adu-Mintah Obapomba to win mixed doubles gold, completing a historic personal double at the Games.
Ghana’s silver medals came from two sports — badminton and boxing.
In boys doubles badminton, the duo of Adu Melchizedek Takyi and Adu-Mintah Obapomba settled for second place.
In the boxing ring, Laryea William (50kg flyweight) and Ablorh Abdul Rahman (60kg lightweight) both fought their way to silver after strong campaigns.
The bronze medals were spread across several disciplines, highlighting Ghana’s versatility. Obapomba Adu-Mintah claimed a bronze in boys singles badminton, while the team also took bronze in the badminton relay.
Mensah Michael Agyapong secured a table tennis bronze in boys singles, and the 3×3 basketball team fought to a third-place finish.
In boxing, Ofori Richardson earned a bronze in the 48kg light flyweight category.
Athletics and combat sports added to the tally, with Jessica Mensah winning bronze in the girls’ -55kg taekwondo, while track and field contributed three medals — Egyan Christiana in the girls triple jump, the boys medley relay team, and the girls medley relay team.
Fulera Sulemana also showed class in athletes.
