- Edmond Govina and Amos Ahianga, two para-athletes, are leading the charge to transform Ghana's sporting narrative
- Both athletes overcame personal tragedies to excel in para-sports, with Edmond as the captain of Ghana’s para-athletics team
- Coach Ibrahim Sulemana played a pivotal role in discovering and nurturing their talents
Before the sun rises, three figures can be seen stretching on the quiet track at Accra’s El Wak Stadium—two young men who have lost limbs and their coach, relentless in their pursuit of excellence. This isn’t just training; it’s transformation.
Meet Edmond Govina and Amos Ahianga—two para-athletes united by a single dream: to change Ghana’s sports narrative, one stride, one throw, one heartbeat at a time.
“I lost my hand in a road accident,” Edmond reflects, a tragedy that happened seven years ago. “During my rehabilitation, I met a physiotherapist who introduced me to sports as part of my recovery, and that’s where it all began.”
What could have broken him became his foundation. Today, Edmond is the captain of Ghana’s para-athletics team, competing with javelins and shot puts powered by purpose, not just muscle.
“After my accident, I began reading about athletics and, through the National Paralympic Committee, I took it up,” he shares. “It wasn’t easy, but it’s been seven years now, and this journey has been both fulfilling and challenging.”
Amos’ story mirrors Edmond’s. Once a top performer among able-bodied students, his potential didn’t go unnoticed. “Coach Sulemana Ibrahim saw my ability to compete with able-bodied athletes and took me under his wing. It’s because of him that I’m here today.”
Through sport, Amos has traveled to Morocco, France, and Malawi, meeting people with various disabilities. “I realized I am blessed,” he says. “With my condition, I can still do so much—wash, clean, and take care of myself. I thank God for the strength to pursue this sport.”
Despite their progress, the road is not easy. Behind their success is Coach Ibrahim Aminu Sulemana, a visionary who saw their potential early. “I saw Amos running faster than anyone in school and knew he had something special,” he recalls. “I approached his teacher and told him, ‘This boy is a gem, and he’s for the nation.’”
Edmond and Amos didn’t stumble into athletics by chance; they sought it out, driven by a desire to push beyond their limits. But the hurdles off the track are often harder than those on it. Amos admits, “Training at 5 a.m. with no transport, using my own money—there were days I wanted to quit. But Coach Ibrahim always told me to sacrifice for the future.”
However, the systemic challenges remain. “The biggest issue is the lack of local competitions,” Edmond explains. “Without them, we can’t properly prepare for international contests. Our stadiums aren’t even accessible for people with disabilities.”
They also face the challenge of costly equipment like prosthetics and racing wheelchairs—essential tools that many athletes can’t afford. “Wheelchair racing is often overlooked,” Edmond adds. “We need support, especially in disciplines that don’t get as much attention as football.”
Despite these barriers, they continue, not just to win medals but to create meaningful change. Both Amos and Edmond are not just athletes; they are role models for people with disabilities, especially those who live on the streets.
“I also cut hair,” says Amos. “I want people to know that we can do more with our lives. Begging is not our purpose. There are opportunities in sports, education, and skills training.”
“Para-sports offer dignity, achievement, and purpose,” Edmond says. “It’s not about medals, but about showing the world that we can overcome and achieve.”
From amputee football to powerlifting, Ghana’s para-athletes are rising. All they ask for is support, visibility, and infrastructure. They are ready to shine—they just need the nation to rise with them.
Because behind the missing limbs is a heart that beats for success, and it’s that heart that builds champions.
