2025 Africa Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship: Ben Nunoo Mensah Pledges Cash Rewards for Medal Winners

With just days to the start of the 2025 Africa Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship in Accra, former president of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Ben Nunoo Mensah, has given young athletes an extra boost of motivation.

During a visit to the team at the Accra Sports Stadium, where he also made donations, Nunoo Mensah announced a reward package for medalists. According to him, gold medalists will each receive $50, while silver medalists will earn $30.

Encouraging the athletes, he stressed that the opportunity was theirs to seize.

“Every gold medal is worth $50, so you better train hard and listen to your coaches. When you get on that stage, go all out,” he said.

He further reminded them that in weightlifting, a single athlete can collect multiple medals.

“In one category, you can win three medals — in the Snatch, Clean and Jerk, and the Total. That means one lifter could take home three golds, which is $150. That’s the challenge I’m throwing to you all. Go for gold. Even silver will fetch you $30.”

Nunoo Mensah, who hails from the Ga State, also assured the lifters of his spiritual support.

“These competitions are very important. You are competing on home soil, so pray to God and the gods of Accra. I’m a royal of Ga land, and when I go home this evening, I’ll also pray for the gods of Ga land to be behind you.”

He promised that if the athletes deliver medals, he would personally host them to a party at his residence.

The 2025 Africa Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship takes place from August 15 to 22, 2025, in Accra.