Ghana finally came alive at the Accra 2026 African Athletics Championships, winning three medals and booking a place in the men’s 4x100m final after two difficult days without a podium finish.
With expectations growing from the home fans at the University of Ghana Stadium, Florence Agyemang, Alex Amankwaa and Esther Ohenewaa delivered medal-winning performances to revive Ghana’s campaign, while the men’s sprint relay team strengthened hopes of gold with an impressive heat victory.
Ghana’s breakthrough came in the women’s 400m final where Agyemang produced a calm and controlled performance to win bronze in 51.87 seconds.
Ethiopia’s Ahmed Ajayba claimed gold in 51.54 seconds, while Botswana’s Obakeng Kamberuka took silver in 51.79 seconds.
Agyemang’s medal sparked celebrations inside the packed stadium and inspired Team Ghana to produce stronger performances.
Alex Amankwaa added another bronze in the men’s 800m after a determined display that saw him finish in 1:46.18.
Kenya’s Kimtai Kkelvin Loti won gold in 1:45.47, while Morocco’s Imade Bouchejda secured silver in 1:45.62.
In the women’s high jump, Esther Ohenewaa produced a personal best leap of 1.81 metres to secure silver behind South Africa’s Snyman Christi, who won gold with 1.84m.
Ethiopia’s Betselot Alemayehu settled for bronze as Ohenewaa added another medal to Ghana’s tally.
The biggest excitement of the night came in the men’s 4x100m relay where Ghana’s team, anchored by Abdul Rasheed Saminu, stormed to victory in Heat Two in 38.69 seconds ahead of Botswana and Kenya.
The performance established Ghana as one of the favourites heading into today’s final, where Nigeria, Mauritius and Zimbabwe are expected to provide stiff competition.
Despite the commanding display, Saminu insisted the team remained focused on the final.
“There is nothing to say. We are excited by the victory in the heats but the real work is in the final. Let’s meet tomorrow,” he said.
Teammate Ibrahim Fuseni also expressed confidence ahead of the race.
“Ghanaians should expect victory tomorrow. We are looking forward to victory,” he stated.
Also, Ghana’s Mammoudou Baba Seidu narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s 400m hurdles after finishing fifth in a race won by Botswana’s Kemorera Tisang.
