The Ghana Paralympic Committee on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, officially unveiled Team Ghana for the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be hosted in Glasgow. The ceremony brought together executives of the Africa Paralympic movement, officials of the Ghana Paralympic Committee, athletes, coaches, and key stakeholders in Ghanaian sports.
Ghana will compete in three disciplines, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, and Para Swimming, with a contingent of five athletes and three coaches. The athletes are Zinabu Issah (Women’s F57 Para Athletics), Botsyo Nkegbe (Men’s T54 Para Athletics), Hayford Addai (Men’s T47 Para Athletics), Haruna Tahiru (Men’s +100kg Para Powerlifting), and Promise Aheto (Para Swimming). All five athletes qualified on merit.
Delivering his address, President of the Ghana Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, described the occasion as a celebration of courage, resilience, and excellence. “Today is a very special day for Ghana. We are not only unveiling our athletes for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but celebrating courage, determination, resilience, and excellence. These five remarkable Ghanaians have earned the honour to represent our nation, and they stand as proof that disability is not inability.”
Highlighting the sacrifices behind qualification and the philosophy guiding para sports development, Deen emphasized opportunity over sympathy. “Behind every qualification lies years of sacrifice, early mornings, difficult training sessions, financial challenges, injuries, and moments when giving up seemed easier. Yet they refused to surrender. Para sports is not charity; it is about excellence, empowerment, and opportunity, and our athletes have earned their place through hard work and performance.”
He further called for unity among stakeholders and renewed investment in Ghanaian sports. “Sports has the power to transform lives, unite communities, attract investment, and strengthen national identity. We must celebrate our successes, promote positive stories, and support our athletes. Supporting para sports is not goodwill; it is an investment in talent, inclusion, and national development.”
Addressing the athletes, the President urged Team Ghana to compete with belief and pride, before making a personal appeal. “When you arrive in Glasgow, remember that an entire nation stands behind you. Compete with confidence and pride. And I want to be part of history by presenting a medal to an athlete from Ghana at the Commonwealth Games — so as a team, help me make this dream a reality.”
At the unveiling ceremony, the Ghana Paralympic Committee supported each of the five athletes with GHS 10,000, while the coaches also received financial backing. With preparations intensifying, Team Ghana now marches toward Glasgow 2026 with confidence, unity, and the ambition to raise the nation’s flag on the Commonwealth podium.
By; Victoria Kwofie
