Ghanaian 400-metre runners Aishatu “Odo Broni” Jaffar and Godfred Opoku will compete at the 2026 World Athletics U-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, after Ghana Athletics confirmed their selection.
The championships will be held in the United States from 5-9 August, with the two teenagers preparing to face some of the leading young athletes from around the world.
Jaffar will represent Ghana in the women’s 400 metres, while Opoku will compete in the men’s event. The Ghanaian delegation will be led by Yaw Boakye Yiadom.
Both athletes have emerged as promising prospects in Ghanaian track and field. Jaffar made her name competing for T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (T.I. AMASS, Kumasi), while Opoku represented Okomfo Anokye Senior High School (Wiamoase).
They recently joined Ghana’s national team at the CAA Region II U18/U20 Athletics Championships in Dakar, Senegal, where they helped Team Ghana win gold in the Mixed 4×400m relay.
The delegation is due to leave Accra on Sunday, 2 August, ahead of the championships, and is scheduled to return on Monday, 10 August, after the competition has concluded.
Ghana Athletics said the team’s participation in Eugene had been secured with support from the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams. The minister facilitated air tickets for the entire delegation.
The athletics governing body thanked Adams for his backing and said his intervention had ensured Ghana could take part in the global youth championships.
Ghana Athletics said the selection of Jaffar and Opoku was part of its ongoing efforts to identify and develop promising athletes, while giving them opportunities to compete at the highest international level.
The association also believes the experience in Eugene will be important for the long-term progress of both runners. Competing against the world’s best emerging talents is expected to give them valuable exposure as they continue their development.
Jaffar and Opoku will be hoping to make a strong impression in Oregon and build on their recent success with Ghana’s mixed relay team.
As the athletes prepare to travel to the United States, Ghana Athletics has urged Ghanaians to support the pair as they seek to represent the country with distinction on the world stage.
Their involvement at the championships reflects Ghana’s continued investment in developing the next generation of athletics talent.
