The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana has officially launched Ghana’s qualification campaign for the 2028 Summer Paralympic Games as the national Para Powerlifting Team departed for the 2026 African Open Para Powerlifting Championships in Algeria.

The championship, organised under the supervision of World Para Powerlifting, is scheduled to hold from May 21 to May 24, 2026, at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex in Oran. The competition forms part of the official qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

Ghana’s delegation is led by para powerlifters Tahiru Haruna, Isaac Obeng and Isaac Nii Ayitey Tagoe, who is making his debut appearance at a World Para Powerlifting-sanctioned event. The team also includes Prince Nyarko, who serves as Head of Delegation, Coach George Ohene-Adu, and medical personnel Tilly Naa Adei Lutterodt. Guest athlete Oghenenyerhovwo Glory Unuefewa is accompanying the team for athlete classification.

According to the Committee, the participation of the entire Ghanaian contingent has been fully sponsored by the President of NPC Ghana, Samson Deen, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Ghana’s presence in para sports across the continent and beyond.

The Committee said the latest campaign follows Ghana’s strong performance at the West Africa Para Games, where the country finished second behind Nigeria.

Speaking on the team’s preparations and ambitions, Mr. Deen urged African athletes to prioritise competitive excellence whenever they represent their countries internationally.

“African athletes must end tourism and focus on mounting the podium anytime they travel for competitions,” he said.

He also called for greater government investment in para sports across the continent, arguing that increased funding would significantly improve Africa’s competitiveness on the global stage.

“Zero financial support got us medals. Imagine what proper investment in para sports can do for Africa on the world stage,” Mr. Deen added.

NPC Ghana noted that since 2025, Ghanaian para athletes have consistently won medals at international competitions, reflecting the country’s growing reputation in para sports development.

The Committee further disclosed that Ghana has already secured qualification slots for five athletes across Para Swimming, Para Athletics and Para Powerlifting ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, where the country hopes to win its first-ever para sports medal at the competition.

As part of preparations for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Mr. Deen has also pledged to sponsor international training camps in France and Azerbaijan to improve the athletes’ technical development and competitive readiness.

NPC Ghana said participation in the Algeria championship is aimed not only at securing qualification points for LA2028, but also at exposing athletes to elite-level competition and building a sustainable winning culture within Ghanaian para sports.

The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to creating opportunities for Ghanaian para athletes to compete globally and inspire future generations of athletes living with disabilities.