Ghana’s para powerlifting team delivered a historic and inspiring performance at the ORAN World Para Powerlifting Championships 2026 in Algeria, securing multiple bronze medals and elevating the nation’s status on the global para sports stage as the journey toward LA 2028 Paralympic Games intensifies.
Leading Ghana’s remarkable medal charge was Ghanaian para powerlifting sensation Tahiru Haruna, who powered his way to a prestigious bronze medal in the highly competitive Men’s Up to 107kg+ category, finishing behind two Iranian lifters who claimed gold and silver respectively.
In what has been described as one of Ghana’s greatest achievements in international para powerlifting, Haruna was officially crowned the Number One Ranked Athlete in Africa in the Men’s 107kg+ division and was presented with a special Gold Medal in recognition of his continental ranking dominance.
Haruna’s commanding performance in Oran demonstrated exceptional resilience, discipline, consistency, and elite strength against some of the world’s best para powerlifters, firmly establishing him among Africa’s leading heavyweight competitors.
The achievement further strengthens Ghana’s qualification pathway toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games and reinforces the country’s growing reputation in international para sports.
Speaking after the competition, Tahiru Haruna dedicated the achievement to Ghana and to the leadership vision driving the development of para sports across the continent.
“We have been pushing to reach the top. We won the medals for President Samson Deen for his ‘Mount the Podium Agenda’ set in 2025, which calls for discipline and hard work,” Haruna stated.
Haruna is now expected to continue his international qualification campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in July, where he aims to improve his performance totals, secure additional world ranking points, and intensify his drive toward qualification for LA 2028.
Ghana’s medal success in Algeria was further boosted by the impressive performances of Isaac Nii Ayetey Tagoe and Isaac Obeng, who both secured bronze medals in their respective categories.
Competing in the Men’s Up to 72kg category, Isaac Nii Ayetey Tagoe produced a strong and determined performance to finish as a bronze medalist while earning an impressive 8th place world ranking and 4th place African ranking.
His performance has been widely praised as another major step in Ghana’s long-term Paralympic qualification journey, especially given the highly competitive global standards required to secure qualification points for the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.
Officials within Ghana’s para sports fraternity have reiterated the urgent need for increased financial investment and institutional support to enable athletes to participate consistently in international competitions and improve Ghana’s chances of qualification and medal success at future global events.
Expressing appreciation after his medal-winning performance, Isaac Nii Ayetey Tagoe acknowledged the encouragement and support that have contributed to his progress.
“I am grateful to President Samson Deen for his singular contribution to rewarding discipline and performance, which has brought me here today,” he said.
In the Men’s Up to 59kg category, Isaac Obeng also delivered a remarkable performance to secure another bronze medal for Ghana after competing against a strong field of 12 elite athletes from across the world.
Obeng finished ranked 7th in the world and 5th in Africa, further cementing Ghana’s growing competitiveness and international credibility in para powerlifting.
His achievement has been celebrated as a powerful symbol of determination, resilience, courage, and national pride.
“Every lift was for Ghana. This bronze medal is not just my victory — it is proof that determination, discipline, and belief can place Ghana among the world’s best,” Isaac Obeng declared.
Ghana’s outstanding performance at the ORAN World Para Powerlifting Championships 2026 represents another defining moment in the nation’s para sports history and demonstrates the growing impact of strategic athlete development, discipline, and international exposure.
As the road to the 2028 Summer Paralympics gathers momentum, Ghana’s para athletes continue to inspire hope and national pride while proving that with commitment, support, and opportunity, the nation can compete among the world’s elite.
