Ghana’s Sprint Teams Shine with Bronze Double at 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships

Ghana’s athletics contingent delivered a spirited performance on Day Four of the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships (ASAC), securing bronze medals in both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay finals. Competing before an enthusiastic home crowd at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra, the national relay teams demonstrated resilience and potential against some of the continent's most seasoned sprinters. These podium finishes have bolstered Ghana's presence at the championships, reflecting a resurgence in the country's track and field capabilities on the continental stage.

The young women’s 4x100m team, comprising Gladys "Gaza" Boateng, Aisha "Odo Broni" Jafar, Janet Mensah, and Janet Dakoa, made history by clinching bronze with a time of 44.85 seconds. Although Nigeria and Liberia took gold and silver respectively, the performance of the Ghanaian quartet earned high praise. Coach Leonard Myles-Mills hailed the athletes as "the future of Ghana athletics," emphasizing that they overcame significant pre-race nerves to compete against veteran opposition. Myles-Mills urged the government and the public to increase investment in these emerging talents, noting that their success signals a promising era for women’s sprinting in the country.

In the men’s 4x100m relay, the battle for supremacy was even tighter. The Ghanaian team—Edwin Gadayi, Joseph-Paul Amoah, Ibrahim Fuseini, and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu—clocked 38.74 seconds to take the bronze. They were narrowly edged out by Ivory Coast, who claimed gold in 38.52 seconds, and Nigeria, who secured silver at 38.70 seconds. The intense rivalry between West African neighbors was on full display as the Ghanaian sprinters were cheered on by local supporters, ultimately delivering a performance that contributed significantly to the host nation’s medal count.

Beyond the relays, the championships saw mixed results for individual Ghanaian athletes. While the women’s sprint queens faced disappointment in the 200m event—with Aisha Jaffar, Janet Mensah, and Gladys Boateng failing to qualify for the final despite advancing from the heats—the overall medal tally reached four by the end of the fourth day. Other notable podium finishes included a silver medal for Esther Ohenewa in the women’s high jump and a bronze for Florence Agyeman in the women’s 400m. As the competition continues, the focus remains on the development of this new generation of athletes who have proven their ability to compete with Africa's elite.