In a commendable comeback, Team Ghana has surged to the sixth position on the 2023 African Games medal table, overcoming early challenges in various competitions.
The nation faced initial setbacks, particularly in table tennis, badminton, and cycling, where medal attempts were unsuccessful. Despite this, a stellar performance on Sunday propelled Ghana into the top ranks.
21-year-old weightlifter Winnifred Ntumi emerged as a heroine, securing Ghana’s first three medals at the 2023 African Games. Ntumi claimed two silver medals in the 49kg snatch and the clean and jerk categories, and a historic gold in the total count with 144 points. This achievement surpassed her performance at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, where she won three bronze medals.
Abeku Jackson, Ghana’s standout swimmer, contributed to the nation’s success by securing a silver medal in the Men’s 50m Butterfly event with an impressive time of 24.23s. Despite finishing closely behind Egypt’s Ali Khalafalla, Jackson’s achievement marked significant improvement from his seventh-place finish in the same event at the 2019 African Games.
With these remarkable performances, Ghana, which had not secured a medal since the games’ commencement on March 3, now boasts a total of four medals – one gold and three silvers. Despite having fewer medals than some counterparts, Ghana’s golds carry substantial weight, securing the nation’s sixth position on the medal table.
As the 2023 African Games continue until March 23, Team Ghana remains optimistic about adding more medals to its tally and further enhancing its standing in the continental sporting event. Stay tuned for updates on Ghana’s pursuit of excellence at the 2023 African Games.
