Ghana’s journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games has taken another major step as the national Para Powerlifting Team competes in the Russian Federation at the 2026 International Para Powerlifting Competition.

The five-member Team Ghana delegation comprises three para-powerlifting athletes — Francis Kwaku, Nfodzo Patrick and Obeng Samuel — together with Lead Coach Toulassi Frank and Assistant Coach Oheneadu George.

The team’s participation forms part of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana’s ambitious “Target the Podium” Initiative, a strategic programme focused on preparing Ghanaian para-athletes for high-level international competition and ultimately the LA28 Paralympic Games.

Driven under the leadership of NPC Ghana President Samson Deen, Target the Podium has one clear objective: to build Ghanaian para-athletes with the international experience, confidence, technical preparation and medal-winning mentality required to challenge for the Paralympic podium.

The Ghanaian participation is being supported by the Samson Deen-led National Paralympic Committee of Ghana in partnership with the Russian Paralympic Committee, creating another important international platform for Ghana’s athletes to test themselves against strong opposition and continue their development towards Los Angeles 2028.



Competition takes place on 8–9 August 2026, with the Ghanaian delegation scheduled to depart Russia on 10 August 2026. For NPC Ghana, the Russia mission represents much more than another international competition.

Champions cannot be created overnight. They must be identified, supported, exposed and prepared years before they enter the Paralympic arena.

That is the thinking behind Target the Podium — providing promising Ghanaian para-athletes with sustained international competition, technical development and exposure to high-level sporting environments.

President Samson Deen, in a message delivered to the athletes through their coaching team ahead of the competition, urged them to understand the bigger national mission behind their journey.

“Our objective is to continue creating opportunities for our para-athletes to compete internationally, develop their confidence and gain the experience required to represent Ghana successfully on the world stage.

“Los Angeles 2028 remains an important target, and every quality international competition forms part of that development journey.”

For Francis Kwaku, Nfodzo Patrick and Obeng Samuel, every lift in Russia represents another opportunity to gain valuable international experience, measure their progress against international opposition and strengthen their competitive mentality.

For Lead Coach Toulassi Frank and Assistant Coach Oheneadu George, the competition provides an equally important opportunity to assess the athletes under international competitive conditions and identify areas for further technical improvement as Ghana intensifies preparations towards LA28.

The message emerging from Ghana’s Paralympic Movement is increasingly clear:
International exposure is therefore becoming a central part of NPC Ghana’s strategy to transform promising athletes into genuine Paralympic medal contenders.

Every lift, every international opponent and every competition represents another lesson on the road to Los Angeles.



For a nation hungry for greater Paralympic success, the mission in Russia is therefore about something much bigger than one international tournament.

And above all, it is about creating a new culture where Ghanaian para-athletes believe that the Paralympic podium is within their reach. The road to LA28 continues, The mission is clear