Omanghana
Ghana’s athletics authorities have moved to inject youthful energy into the national women’s relay setup by integrating four standout high school sprinters into the senior 4x100m relay pool for the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra. The continental competition is scheduled to take place from May 12 to May 17, 2026, marking the first time in more than four decades that Ghana will host the prestigious event.
The teenage athletes earned national recognition after delivering impressive performances during the 2026 Ashanti Super Zonals before further strengthening their reputation with a gold medal victory at the 2026 African Continental Tour Meeting International in Abidjan. Their recent performances convinced national team officials that they are ready to compete at senior level despite their young age.
Among the athletes selected is Aisha Jaffar of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (T.I. AMASS) in Kumasi. She is joined by Gladys Boateng, popularly known as “Gaza Power,” from St. Louis Senior High School. Boateng recently participated in elite athletics training camps in Kenya as part of her development.
Also included in the relay pool is Adelaide Fosuaa, another talented athlete from T.I. AMASS, alongside Leticia Ohenewaa of St. Louis SHS, who played a key role in the team’s recent international success.
Officials view the integration of the teenage quartet as part of a broader rebuilding effort aimed at revitalizing Ghana’s women’s sprint relay team, which has struggled in recent years to replace experienced veterans. The move is also seen as a major endorsement of Ghana’s school sports system as a pathway for developing elite athletes.
During his visit to Accra on May 9, Sebastian Coe emphasized the importance of nurturing athletic talent from the school level, noting that many world-class careers begin in grassroots and secondary school competitions.
In addition to the new 4x100m prospects, Porshia Nkrumah, a Form Three student at Edinaman Senior High School, has also been selected for Ghana’s senior national team. She is expected to compete in both the women’s 400m event and the 4x400m relay during the championships.
Source: Omanghana
