The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has unveiled 13 young athletes who will represent Ghana at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, as preparations intensify for the historic first edition of the Games to be held on African soil.
The athletes were introduced on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the University of Ghana Stadium, Legon, during an Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) organised for more than 100 schoolchildren.
The programme, an initiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was used to promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect while giving young people an opportunity to interact with members of Team Ghana.
GOC President Richard Akpokavie said the programme formed part of Ghana’s preparations for the Games, which will take place in Dakar from October 31 to November 13.
“The programme is to teach the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect to young people ahead of next month’s Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, the first to be held on the continent,” he said.
The young athletes also shared their experiences, aspirations and understanding of the Olympic spirit with students from different schools who attended the event.
Chef de Mission for Dakar 2026, Evans Yeboah, expressed optimism about Ghana’s prospects, urging the athletes to seize the opportunity presented by the historic Games.
He said the athletes must embrace the occasion and compete with the determination to return home with medals.
Ghana will compete in eight disciplines at the Games, namely boxing, athletics, swimming, table tennis, badminton, judo, beach volleyball and taekwondo.
Officials and executives from the participating national federations were present at the event to support the athletes.
Taekwondo representatives Max Lee and Selorm Fayose expressed confidence in Ghana’s prospects, while boxing coaches Joseph Martey and Augustus Dodoo said they remained hopeful of a medal despite Ghana having only one boxing slot.
The Dakar Youth Olympic Games are expected to bring together athletes from 206 countries, with Ghana’s young representatives set to compete on one of the biggest youth sporting platforms in the world.
