Proud Moment for GTTA President Mawuko Afadzinu as Ghana Ends 39-Year Gold Drought at ITTF Africa Youth Championships

It was a moment of immense pride for Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA )President, Mawuko Afadzinu, as teenagers Israel Aklie and Joanita Borteye stood on the podium to receive their gold medals while Ghana’s national anthem echoed through the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra.

The historic triumph saw Ghana end a 39-year wait for a continental gold medal in table tennis after Aklie and Borteye defeated Tunisia’s Amori Amine and Ela Saidi in the U15 Mixed Doubles final at the ITTF Africa Youth Championships.

The victory marked one of the biggest milestones in Ghanaian table tennis, with the young duo displaying remarkable determination and composure throughout the competition. Playing before a passionate home crowd, they produced outstanding performances to reach the final and delivered when it mattered most to claim the coveted title.

Their road to glory included a thrilling 3-2 semi-final victory over Egypt’s Hussein Eyad and Malak Zaki, keeping Ghana’s dream alive on home soil. The win set up the final against Tunisia, where the Ghanaian pair completed their fairytale run to become African champions.

As Aklie and Borteye proudly stood atop the podium with their gold medals around their necks, the playing of the national anthem created an unforgettable atmosphere, symbolising the reward for years of hard work and the resurgence of Ghanaian table tennis.

For Mawuko Afadzinu, who has worked tirelessly to develop the sport and nurture young talent, the victory was a fitting reward for the Association’s investment in grassroots development. The achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of table tennis players across the country.

The historic gold medal not only ended Ghana’s 39-year continental title drought but also highlighted the nation’s growing strength in African table tennis, with Israel Aklie and Joanita Borteye writing their names into Ghana’s sporting history.