Ghana’s road to the 2028 Summer Paralympic Games has officially begun, with the National Paralympic Committee (NPC Ghana) sending a para powerlifting team to the African Open Para Powerlifting Championships in Oran, Algeria.

The championship, scheduled for May 21 to 24, 2026, at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex, forms part of the official qualification pathway for the LA2028 Paralympic Games under World Para Powerlifting.

Ghana’s delegation includes athletes Tahiru Haruna, Isaac Obeng, and Isaac Nii Ayitey Tagoe, who will be making his debut at a World Para Powerlifting-sanctioned event. A guest athlete, Oghenenyerhovwo Glory Unuefewa, is also part of the team for classification.

The team is being led by Head of Delegation Prince Nyarko, with Coach George Ohene-Adu and medical personnel Tilly Naa Adei Lutterodt providing technical and health support.

The entire participation has been fully sponsored by NPC Ghana President Samson Deen, who says the support reflects his commitment to strengthening Ghana’s presence in international para sports.

Following Ghana’s second-place finish behind Nigeria at the West Africa Para Games, Deen reaffirmed his focus on discipline, performance, and medal-winning ambition among athletes representing the country abroad.

He emphasized the need for greater investment in para sports across Africa, arguing that improved funding would significantly boost the continent’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Ghana’s para athletes have recorded steady success since 2025, winning medals in multiple international competitions and raising the country’s profile in para sports.

NPC Ghana also revealed that five Ghanaian athletes have already qualified across para swimming, para athletics, and para powerlifting for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the country is targeting its first-ever para sports medal.

As part of preparations for Glasgow 2026, the committee says athletes will benefit from international training camps in France and Azerbaijan to improve their technical performance and readiness.

NPC Ghana says the Algeria championship is not only about qualification points but also about building experience, strengthening competitive standards, and preparing athletes for success on the road to LA2028.