Accra, Ghana – 3 July 2026 – Ghana’s brightest young athletics talents have departed Accra for Dakar, Senegal, ahead of the CAA Region II U18/U20 Athletics Championships, which will take place from 5–6 July 2026.
The two-day championship will bring together the finest young athletes from across the West African sub-region, providing a valuable platform for emerging stars to showcase their talent, gain international experience and compete for regional honours.
Team Ghana left the country on Friday in high spirits, determined to represent the nation with pride, resilience and excellence.
Behind the team’s departure lies a story of determination and sacrifice. The Executive Board of Ghana Athletics, led by President Bawa Fuseini, worked tirelessly to mobilise the financial resources needed to ensure the athletes made the trip to Dakar. Their efforts have been widely praised by athletics enthusiasts, many of whom believe Ghana simply could not afford to miss a championship of this importance.
The current generation of young athletes has consistently impressed throughout the 2026 athletics season with remarkable performances, discipline and maturity beyond their years. Their exploits on the domestic circuit have generated excitement among athletics followers, who see this team as one capable of restoring Ghana’s prominence in regional athletics.
Team Ghana Squad
Athletes
– Aishatu Jaffar (U18) – 100 metres, 200 metres
– Christiana Eghan (U18) – Long Jump, Triple Jump
– Janet Darkoaa (U20) – 100 metres, 200 metres
– Adelaide Fosuah (U18) – 100 metres, 200 metres
– Blessed Junior Owusu (U18) – 200 metres, 400 metres
– Godfred Opoku (U20) – 400 metres
– Albert Kwaku Gyabaa Komtoh (U20) – Triple Jump
– Bossman Kusi Appiah (U20) – 400 metres Hurdles
Coach
– Dramani Abdul Wahab
Reliable sources have disclosed that promising athlete Gaza, who had been expected to feature for Ghana, was unable to travel due to ill health. While his absence will undoubtedly be felt, the coaching team remains confident, having assembled what many consider the crème de la crème of Ghana’s youth athletics talent.
The squad boasts an exciting blend of speed, power and technical ability across the sprint, hurdles and field events. Their participation forms part of Ghana Athletics’ long-term vision of developing the country’s next generation of elite athletes capable of excelling on the continental and global stage.
For many of these young competitors, Dakar represents more than just another championship. It is an opportunity to announce themselves on the regional stage, gain invaluable international experience and take another significant step towards fulfilling their dreams of representing Ghana at major African and world championships.
Expectations are high, but so too is confidence within athletics circles that this talented group possesses the ability to challenge for medals and deliver performances that will make the nation proud.
As competition begins on 5 July, Ghanaians will be watching with optimism, hoping these rising stars produce memorable performances and continue the country’s rich tradition of excellence in athletics.
With determination in their hearts and the hopes of a nation behind them, Team Ghana now turns its attention to Dakar, where the country’s future champions will have the opportunity to prove their quality against the very best young athletes in West Africa.
