Ghana names 13-athlete squad for Dakar Youth Olympics

The Ghana Olympic Committee has announced a 13-athlete squad to compete at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, marking the first Olympic event to be held on African soil. The Games will be hosted in Senegal from October 31 to November 13, with Ghana participating in eight sports across three host zones in Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

The team consists of athletes ranging in age from 13 to 17, who have earned their qualification through their respective International Federations. They will compete in athletics, badminton, boxing, beach volleyball, judo, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo.

In athletics, Ghana will field Mary Coffie (women’s 400m hurdles) and Stephen Oduro Jnr (men’s 400m hurdles). Andy Amofa will represent Ghana in men’s singles badminton. Justice Adusei Amoafo and Daniel Lartey will compete in beach volleyball. Robert Amartey Tagoe will be Ghana’s representative in men’s 70kg boxing. Bernice Mawena Akakpo will compete in women’s -63kg judo.

Kelvin Abdallah, Mercedes Abdallah, Tamba Akin Boamah, Jada Yankey will represent Ghana in swimming events. Joanita Borteye will compete in women’s singles table tennis. Jessica Mensah will be Ghana’s taekwondo athlete in the women’s +63kg category.