Two Ghanaian athletes, Amadu Mohammed and Zinabu Issah, were the only Ghanaians to win medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Numerous athletes competed across various disciplines, but the majority failed to clinch any medals. These two, however, stood out, having represented Ghana in previous competitions and now cementing their legacies with their latest victories.

So Near, Yet So Far: Ghana’s athletes and the agony of the final

Zinabu Issah

Zinabu Issah (born March 6, 1980) is a Ghanaian para-athlete specializing in throwing events. She represented Ghana at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.

In June 2024, Issah qualified for the Paralympics and served as Ghana’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony. She competed in both the shot put and discus throw events.

At the 2026 Commonwealth Games, she won a silver medal in the women’s F57 shot put with a season-best throw of 8.65 metres, securing Ghana’s first medal of the Games.

Her participation in Glasgow was supported by National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Ghana President Samson Deen, who rewarded her with a £2,000 cash bonus following her historic achievement.

Amadu Mohammed

Amadu Mohammed won Ghana’s second medal at the Games after clinching bronze in the men’s 55kg boxing competition.

The reigning African Games champion saw his bid for gold thwarted by a narrow 4-1 split decision defeat to Australia’s Dixon Jye in the semi-final.

Amadu started strongly, dominating the opening round, with all five judges scoring it 10-9 in his favour.

Previously, Amadu won gold in the Bantamweight division at the 2023 African Games hosted in Ghana. He defeated Zambia’s Mwale Mwengo in the championship bout, which was stopped in the second round after Mohammed delivered a powerful right hook, leading to a ten-count victory.

He is coached by Ofori Asare, with whom he has worked for many years.

Amadu has been recognised by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) and is expected to contend for his second SWAG Award.

SB/JKB

Zinabu Issah wins silver at GLASGOW Commonwealth games