Since assuming leadership, Samson Deen has championed the growth and development of para sports, creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities to excel and represent Ghana at major international competitions.

Under his administration, Ghana’s para athletes have enjoyed increased exposure, improved support systems, and greater recognition for their achievements.

His efforts have also attracted corporate interest and strengthened awareness of disability sports across the country.

Sports stakeholders believe his commitment to inclusivity and athlete development has helped elevate the image of para sports, inspiring a new generation of athletes and demonstrating that disability is not a barrier to sporting excellence.

Samson Deen’s leadership continues to position Ghana as a growing force in African para sports, with many expecting further success in the years ahead.

Credit: Asempa FM Sports

Ghana has officially set its sights on the podium at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Ghana unveiled its para-athlete contingent with a bold declaration from President Samson Deen: “Target the Podium.”

At a colourful ceremony held under the theme “Rising Beyond Limits, Carrying the Dreams of a Nation,” the NPC officially introduced five outstanding athletes who will represent Ghana at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 28 to August 8, 2026.

The event was not only a celebration of sporting excellence but also a powerful statement of ambition, inclusion, resilience, and national pride.

Addressing athletes, officials, sponsors, and the media, NPC President Samson Deen described the team as a group of exceptional competitors capable of making history for Ghana on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.

“These athletes are not merely participants. They are medal contenders. They are champions in waiting. They represent the very best of Ghanaian determination, discipline, and excellence,” Mr. Deen declared.

The five-member team will compete across three disciplines — Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, and Para Swimming.

The squad includes:

•   Zinabu Issah – Women’s F57 Para Athletics
•   Botsyo Nkegbe – Men’s T54 Wheelchair Racing and three-time Paralympian
•   Hayford Addai – Men’s T47 Para Athletics
•   Haruna Tahiru – Men’s 100kg+ Para Powerlifting
•   Promise Aheto – Para Swimming

According to the NPC President, every athlete earned qualification through merit, performance, and hard work, making Team Ghana one of the strongest para contingents the country has assembled in recent years.

A key message from the unveiling ceremony was the need to shift perceptions about disability and recognise the extraordinary potential of persons living with disabilities.

Mr. Deen reaffirmed his long-standing position that para sports should never be viewed through the lens of charity but rather as a platform for excellence, empowerment, and opportunity.

“Disability is not inability. Our athletes do not seek sympathy. They seek opportunity. They seek inclusion. They seek the chance to compete and prove themselves on equal terms.”

His remarks received strong applause from attendees, reinforcing the growing recognition of para sports as a vital part of Ghana’s sporting ecosystem.

The NPC President reflected on Ghana’s para sports journey, paying tribute to trailblazers who paved the way for today’s generation.

He highlighted the historic bronze medal won by Anita Fordjour at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, describing it as a defining moment that inspired a new generation of athletes.

“That achievement opened doors and inspired many athletes who followed. Today, we are building upon that legacy and writing a new chapter in Ghana’s sporting history.”

Mr. Deen used the occasion to call on government, corporate institutions, and the media to play a greater role in supporting para sports development.

He stressed that investing in para sports delivers benefits far beyond competition.

“Supporting para sports is not charity. It is an investment in talent. It is an investment in inclusion. It is an investment in national development and future generations.”

He also urged the media to continue telling positive stories that inspire and unite Ghanaians.

“We cannot build a successful sporting industry through negativity. We must celebrate our successes, support our athletes, and tell stories that inspire.”

In perhaps the most memorable moment of the event, Samson Deen challenged Team Ghana to compete fearlessly and aim for medals.

“Never be intimidated by rankings or reputations. Champions are not made on competition day; champions are revealed on competition day.”

He reminded the athletes that they carry the hopes of millions of Ghanaians and encouraged them to compete with confidence, courage, and pride.

With Glasgow 2026 fast approaching, the message from the National Paralympic Committee is clear: Ghana is not travelling to Scotland merely to participate.

Team Ghana is travelling to compete. Team Ghana is travelling to inspire. Team Ghana is travelling to target the podium.

As the nation rallies behind its para athletes, expectations are rising that Glasgow 2026 could become another landmark chapter in Ghana’s sporting history.

TEAM GHANA — ONE NATION, ONE DREAM.
FROM GHANA TO GLASGOW FOR GOLD.
TARGET THE PODIUM.

The championship, organized under the supervision of World Para Powerlifting, will take place from 21st to 24th May 2026 at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex and forms part of the official qualification pathway toward the LA2028 Paralympic Games.

Leading the delegation are Ghanaian para powerlifters Tahiru Haruna, Isaac Obeng, and Isaac Nii Ayitey Tagoe, who will be making his debut appearance at a World Para Powerlifting sanctioned competition. The team is supported by Prince Nyarko (Head of Delegation), Coach George Ohene-Adu, and Medical Personnel Tilly Naa Adei Lutterodt. Guest athlete Oghenenyerhovwo Glory Unuefewa also joins the team for classification.

The participation of the entire Ghanaian contingent has been fully sponsored by Mr. Samson Deen, President of NPC Ghana, as part of his continued commitment to transforming Ghana into a continental force in para sports.

Following Ghana’s impressive second-place finish behind Nigeria at the West Africa Para Games, Mr. Deen reiterated his pledge to support disciplined and hardworking athletes who demonstrate dedication, professionalism, and medal ambition.

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

He further stressed that African governments must begin prioritizing investment in para sports, declaring:

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

Since 2025, Ghana’s para athletes have consistently delivered medals across international competitions, signaling a major rise in the country’s para sports profile.

In another major milestone, Ghana has already secured qualification for five athletes across Para Swimming, Para Athletics, and Para Powerlifting for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, where the country is hopeful of winning its first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in para sports.

As part of preparations toward Glasgow 2026, Mr. Samson Deen has also promised the team international training camps in France and Azerbaijan to sharpen the athletes’ technical ability, discipline, and confidence ahead of the Games.

NPC Ghana says the Algeria championship is not only about qualification points, but also about building a winning culture, exposing athletes to elite-level competition, and positioning Ghana strongly on the road to 2028 Summer Paralympics.

Ghana Delegation – African Open Para Powerlifting Championships 2026

Oran, Algeria | 21–24 May 2026

Officials

•   Tilly Adei Lutterodt – Medical Personnel
•   Prince Nyarko – Chef D’équipe (Head of Delegation)
•   George Ohene-Adu – Coach

Athletes

•   Tahiru Haruna – Athlete
•   Isaac Nii Ayitey Tagoe – Athlete
•   Isaac Obeng – Athlete
•   Oghenenyerhovwo Glory Unuefewa – Guest Athlete for Classification

NPC Ghana remains committed to creating opportunities for Ghanaian para athletes to excel globally and inspire the next generation of athletes with disabilities.

Credit: NPC Ghana

Speaking before Governor of Ogun State, ministers, traditional authorities, sports leaders and hundreds of athletes, Deen declared that the event represents “not merely a sporting event but the ignition of a continental movement of dignity, equality, and human possibility.”

In his address, Deen drew a historic parallel between the Games and the inaugural Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in 1957, noting that Africa’s greatest institutions were founded on courage and unity.

“What AFCON became to football, Para Sports must now become to Africa,”
he stated, describing the Games as a crucial step toward institutionalising Para Sports as a continental priority.

Deen expressed deep appreciation to the Government of Nigeria for championing inclusive sports development. He commended:
• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for advancing inclusive development,
• Vice President Kashim Shettima for supporting youth and sports diplomacy,
• First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Patron of the African Paralympic Movement,
• Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Local Organizing Committee for hosting a world-class event,
• The National Sports Commission and
• NPC Nigeria President Sunday Odebode for their leadership.

He declared:

“Ghana lit the flame. Nigeria expands the vision. West Africa now leads the continent.”

Highlighting the broader impact of Para Sports, Deen outlined six key benefits of strengthening the sector across Africa: national unity, youth empowerment, sports tourism, job creation, global moral leadership and the restoration of Africa’s dignity on the world stage.

He urged African leaders to make Para Sports a continental priority, describing 2025 as a historic turning point.

Addressing the athletes, Deen delivered one of the most emotional moments of the evening, saying:

“You are the heroes of this new era. You rise where others fall. You break barriers others surrender to.”

He emphasized that their performances will influence policies and reshape perceptions of disability across the continent.

Deen also outlined a bold vision for the future of African sports—one in which stadiums are fully accessible, Para Sports receive dedicated budget lines, Para athletes become household names, and inclusion becomes a constitutional value rather than a ceremonial pledge.

He stressed that this vision is “not a dream, but a decision”— one that begins in Abeokuta.

With the crowd on its feet, Samson Deen officially declared the Games open:

“With the blessings of our leaders, with the spirit of AFCON 1957, with the flame lit in Accra 2023, and with the courage of our athletes, I declare the 1st West Africa Para Games officially open.”

Fireworks lit up the Abeokuta skyline as the stadium erupted in celebration.

The 1st West Africa Para Games will host athletes from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mali, Liberia, Benin, Togo, The Gambia, Guinea, Cape Verde, DR Congo and Cameroon, marking the start of a new chapter in Africa’s sporting history.

Abeokuta now stands as the birthplace of a continental vision centered on inclusion, excellence and unity.

“Together, we rise. Together, we win.”

Credit: AfPC

Securing a staggering 38 out of 40 votes at the 2025 African Paralympic General Assembly in Accra, Mr. Deen’s renewed mandate is an unprecedented vote of confidence from the African para sports community.

It serves as a resounding affirmation of his visionary leadership, transformative agenda, and the significant progress achieved during his first term, including the successful hosting of the inaugural African Para Games in Ghana.

Mr. Deen’s continued leadership at the helm of the APC is a source of immense national pride, strengthening Ghana’s influential voice in continental and global sports administration.

The GOC believes this re-election will cement the strong partnership between the Olympic and Paralympic movements in Ghana and further the cause of inclusivity and excellence for all our athletes.

The GOC looks forward to collaborating closely with Mr. Deen and his newly elected team as they strive to elevate the Paralympic movement, create more opportunities for African para-athletes.

We wish Mr. Deen and the entire APC Executive Committee a highly successful term.

Credit: Ghana Olympic Committee 

Mr. Deen’s re-election is a powerful affirmation of the trust and confidence placed in his dynamic leadership and his unwavering commitment to advancing the Paralympic movement across the African
continent.

His continued mandate underscores the success and positive trajectory initiated during his first tenure, which has brought increased visibility, professionalisation, and support to para-athletes.

SWAG recognize Mr. Deen not only as a distinguished Ghanaian sports administrator but also as a tireless champion for inclusion and equal opportunity in sports.

His dedication ensures that African para-athletes are given the world-class platforms they deserve to achieve their maximum potential on the international stage.

We are immensely proud of his continuous exemplary service at the highest level of African sports administration.

We wish him a successful and impactful second term as he works to break new barriers and achieve greater heights for the African Paralympic Committee

Credit: Sports Writers Association of Ghana 

The program which was organized by the Ghana Para Athletics Association in collaboration with the NPC-Ghana, aimed at scouting for and nurturing up-and-coming talented athletes to harness their potential and feed into the National Para Athletics team for participation in future national and international competitions.

The one-day talent identification exercise in Zone-1 brought together over 29 persons with impairment or disabilities from Kumasi and its environs including Offinso, Konogo, Beposo, Asante Manpong, KNUST among others.

The participants whose ages range between 15 years and 43 years were introduced to basic skills in Para Athletics events (track and field) such as wheelchair racing, 100 meters, 200 meters, Javelin, Shotput, and Discus.

The exercise was conducted by Coach Suleman Aminu, Patrick Yaw Obeng a former national athlete and Zinabu Issah a national athlete and Paralympian.

Significantly, the exercise was very successful and the overarching objective achieved as fifteen (15) enthusiastic young, and determined potential athletes were discovered and selected at the end of the program for further training and nurturing. It also helped the Association to gather data and prepare accurate national database on para athletics participants.

The Ghana Para Athletics Association wishes to express its profound gratitude to the National Lotteries Authority for their collaborative support towards the successful execution and delivery of the program.

Also, Mr. Samson Deen -NPC President, Foster Kwarteng – Chairman of the Para Athletics Association of Ghana, Dr. Isaac Donkor, Dr. Abena Tannor, Ignatius Elletey, Imoro Abdul Basit as well as all the executive members of the Association for their diverse support.

The next event is expected to be organized in the Central Region on Saturday, 19th July 2025 at the Cape Coast Stadium. Come showcase your talent, the journey to greatness starts here!!!

Credit: NPC-Ghana Media Team

The initiative seeks to inspire, educate, and foster inclusion, under the belief that when we lift, we all rise. This campaign is designed to reach individuals who may have been sidelined by society or struggling with self-doubt, using the sport of para-powerlifting as a tool for rehabilitation and empowerment.
It also aims to break stigma and transform mindsets around disability by showcasing strength, resilience, and possibility.

At the heart of the campaign are a series of activities meant to drive both participation and awareness. Community outreach and athlete recruitment efforts will directly engage people with physical disabilities, while partnerships with disability organisations and rehabilitation centres will help identify and support potential athletes.

The association plans to host open training days and exhibitions, providing safe, welcoming spaces for individuals to try para-powerlifting, often for the first time.
In addition, the ‘Lift Beyond Limits Challenge’ has been introduced on social media to encourage the public to mimic para-powerlifting moves and post their videos online in a show of solidarity, amplifying the message that disability does not mean inability.

To further involve the public, the campaign includes a creative fundraising component through a donate-per-rep initiative, where supporters pledge an amount for every rep completed by an athlete. This directly funds equipment, training, and athlete development.

Supporters and donors will also have access to branded merchandise and digital badges, building a visible community of advocates for para-powerlifting and disability inclusion. Beyond sports, the campaign places strong emphasis on education and stigma reduction.
Forums, school outreach sessions, and public engagements will be organised to spark conversations and dismantle stereotypes about disability, fostering a more inclusive society.

The Ghana Para-Powerlifting Association is inviting all Ghanaians, institutions, and the international community to support this transformative movement by sharing campaign materials, participating in the online challenges, contributing financially or in-kind to support equipment and training needs, and partnering as sponsors or advocates to ensure the long-term development of para-athletes.

Credit: Ghana Para-Powerlifting Association

This initiative will focus on track and field events such as shot put, discus, javelin, high jump, long jump, and wheelchair racing. We also welcome individuals with visual impairments, hand amputations, cerebral palsy, and other eligible conditions who have the passion and ability to excel in para-sports.

Zone 1 will start in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region on July 12, an event which will also be used to launch the nationwide program. Next after Kumasi, the program heads to Cape Coast in the Central Region on July 26 and the final event for the Zone will be in Takoradi in the Western Region on August 2.

Zone 2 of the exercise kicks off in the Eastern Region on August 16 in Koforidua. From there, it moves to the Volta Region on August 30 in Ho, and wrap up the zone with the Greater Accra Region on September 13 in Accra.

Credit: NPC-Ghana

The meeting, held at the NSA headquarters, set the tone for a new era of collaboration ahead of Ghana’s hosting of two major para sports events: the AfPC Elective Congress and the first-ever Open Para Sports and Classification Festival, both slated for November 2025.

Mr. Deen used the occasion to highlight the significance of Ghana’s role in advancing para sports across Africa. He underscored the dire need for inclusive facilities, athlete development, and continental access to athlete classification.

“Africa’s para athletes are talented but structurally underserved. With Ghana taking the lead in hosting a continental classification festival, we’re not just creating opportunities — we’re correcting historic inequalities,” he stated.

The upcoming festival is expected to be a game-changer, providing athletes with international classification, a prerequisite for competing in global Paralympic events. Mr. Deen revealed that international classifiers and delegations from several countries have already been engaged, with diplomatic missions like the Spanish Embassy expressing enthusiastic support.

Mr. Deen also shared personal insights into the transformation of para sports in Ghana since his involvement in 2016, noting the shift from a personality-driven system to one that embraces fairness and community empowerment.

“This movement is no longer about individuals. It’s about systems that work, structures that uplift everyone.”

He appealed to the NSA for access to key venues such as the Borteyman Complex and University of Ghana Stadium, and for technical personnel to support the festival’s logistics.

In a show of solidarity, NSA Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah pledged the full support of his office.

“This is a national priority. We’re committed to seeing para sports thrive and will provide the facilities and manpower needed to ensure success.”

The collaboration between AfPC and the NSA is being hailed as a bold step in Ghana’s sports diplomacy and a significant milestone in empowering athletes with disabilities across Africa.

Credit: NPC Ghana