Ghana’s first female Olympic weightlifter Alberta Boatema Amponsah dies aged 32

Ghana's pioneering female Olympic weightlifter, Alberta Boatema Amponsah, has passed away at the young age of 32. The news of her demise was conveyed in a somber statement released by the Ghana Olympians Association, the Ghana Olympic Committee, and the GOC Athletes' Commission on November 8, just five days following her 32nd birthday.

Amponsah, who represented Ghana at the 2012 London Olympic Games, was described as a committed advocate for her fellow athletes. The statement expressed deep sorrow over her loss, stating, "We mourn Alberta Ampomah, OLY (1994-2026), Ghana's first Olympic weightlifter and a devoted servant of her fellow Olympians and athletes. May her soul find peace."

The cause of her death remains undisclosed by her family or the Olympic authorities. Born on November 3, 1994, in Accra, Amponsah made history at the tender age of 17 when she competed for Ghana at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. She participated in the women's over-75kg weightlifting event, achieving a combined total of 174kg with scores of 73kg in the snatch and 101kg in the clean and jerk.

Her success at the Games came after securing a wildcard entry, having previously won bronze in the clean and jerk at the 2012 African Olympic qualifiers. Amponsah's international journey began even earlier, as she represented Ghana at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, at just 15 years old, competing in the women's 75kg category.

Following her retirement from weightlifting, she remained involved in sports, participating in and officiating armwrestling competitions in Ghana. She also held the position of an executive member of the reconstituted GOC Athletes' Commission, collaborating with fellow Olympians such as John Ampomah, Abeku Jackson, Gemma Acheampong, Emmanuel Dasor, Abdul Wahid Omar, and Kaya Forson.