Ghana’s medal success at the 2026 Commonwealth Games came from para-athlete Zinabu Issah and boxer Amadu Mohammed, who were the country’s only athletes to finish on the podium in Glasgow.
Issah won silver in the women’s F57 shot put, while Mohammed claimed bronze in the men’s 55kg boxing competition. Their results stood out after Ghana sent athletes to compete across several disciplines, with the majority unable to win medals.
Issah’s silver was Ghana’s first medal of the Games. The 46-year-old produced a season-best throw of 8.65 metres in the F57 event, adding another major achievement to a career that has already included representation at the Paralympic Games.
Born on 6 March 1980, Issah is a Ghanaian para-athlete who specialises in throwing events. She qualified for the 2024 Summer Paralympics in June that year and was selected as Ghana’s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony.
She competed in both the shot put and discus throw at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Her latest performance in Glasgow further established her as one of Ghana’s leading para-athletes.
National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Ghana president Samson Deen rewarded Issah with a £2,000 cash bonus after her historic medal. Her achievement gave Ghana an early highlight at the Games and ensured the country would leave with at least one medal.
Mohammed then added Ghana’s second medal by reaching the podium in the men’s 55kg boxing event. The reigning African Games champion had been aiming for gold, but his campaign ended in the semi-finals after he lost to Australia’s Dixon Jye by a narrow 4-1 split decision.
The Ghanaian made an impressive start to the contest and controlled the opening round. All five judges scored that round 10-9 in his favour, but Jye recovered sufficiently to edge the overall verdict and progress to the final.
Mohammed had previously won gold in the bantamweight division at the 2023 African Games, which were staged in Ghana. In the championship bout, he defeated Zambia’s Mwale Mwengo in a contest stopped in the second round.
A powerful right hook from Mohammed forced the referee to give Mwengo a ten-count, securing the title for the Ghanaian.
Mohammed has worked with coach Ofori Asare for several years. His performances have also earned recognition from the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), and he is expected to compete for his second SWAG Award.
While Ghana’s wider delegation did not produce a large medal haul in Glasgow, Issah and Mohammed’s performances provided the country’s main successes. Both athletes had represented Ghana at previous major competitions before adding Commonwealth Games medals to their records.
