ROAD TO LA28: GHANA’S PARA POWERLIFTERS HIT RUSSIA AS SAMSON DEEN’S “TARGET THE PODIUM” PROJECT GATHERS MOMENTUM
Accra, Ghana – 8 August 2026
From Accra to Russia, the message from Ghana’s Paralympic Movement is clear: Ghana is not preparing for Los Angeles 2028 simply to participate — the ambition is to compete for the podium.
Ghana’s preparations for the LA28 Paralympic Games have taken another significant step with the national Para Powerlifting Team competing at the 2026 International Para Powerlifting Competition in the Russian Federation.
The five-member Team Ghana delegation comprises three athletes — Francis Kwaku, Nfodzo Patrick and Obeng Samuel — alongside Lead Coach Toulassi Frank and Assistant Coach Oheneadu George.
Their participation forms part of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana’s (NPC Ghana) “Target the Podium” Initiative, an ambitious programme designed to identify, develop and expose Ghanaian para-athletes to the level of competition required to challenge for medals on the biggest stage.
The initiative, driven under the leadership of NPC Ghana President Samson Deen, is built around a simple philosophy: Paralympic success cannot be achieved overnight.
Athletes must be identified early, properly supported, technically developed and given sustained exposure to high-level international competition long before they arrive at the Paralympic Games.
Building towards Los Angeles 2028
The Ghanaian delegation’s participation in Russia is being supported by the Samson Deen-led National Paralympic Committee of Ghana in partnership with the Russian Paralympic Committee.
The competition, taking place from 8–9 August 2026, provides Ghana’s athletes with an important opportunity to compete against international opposition, gain valuable experience and assess their development in a high-pressure competitive environment.
The team is scheduled to depart Russia on 10 August 2026.
For NPC Ghana, however, the Russia assignment represents much more than another international tournament.
It is another building block in a long-term plan to create a generation of Ghanaian para-athletes capable of competing for medals at the Paralympic Games.
President Samson Deen, in a message delivered to the athletes through their coaching team ahead of the competition, emphasised the importance of international exposure in Ghana’s preparations.
“Our objective is to continue creating opportunities for our para-athletes to compete internationally, develop their confidence and gain the experience required to represent Ghana successfully on the world stage.
“Los Angeles 2028 remains an important target, and every quality international competition forms part of that development journey.”
Every lift matters
For Francis Kwaku, Nfodzo Patrick and Obeng Samuel, every lift in Russia represents more than an attempt to register a personal or competitive achievement.
It is an opportunity to measure their progress against international opposition, learn from stronger competitors and build the confidence and competitive mentality required at elite level.
For Lead Coach Toulassi Frank and Assistant Coach Oheneadu George, the competition also provides valuable insight into the athletes’ technical and tactical development.
The coaching team will be able to assess the athletes under international competitive conditions while identifying areas that require further improvement as Ghana’s preparations for LA28 intensify.
The strategy reflects a growing emphasis within Ghana’s Paralympic Movement on international exposure as a pathway to elite performance.
The philosophy is straightforward: promising athletes cannot become genuine medal contenders without regularly testing themselves against the world’s best.
A bigger mission
Champions are not created overnight.
They are identified, supported, exposed, developed and prepared years before they step onto the Paralympic stage.
That is the thinking behind Target the Podium.
The initiative seeks to give Ghanaian para-athletes sustained access to international competition, technical development and high-level sporting environments, while building the belief that competing for Paralympic medals is a realistic national ambition.
Every competition brings another lesson.
Every international opponent provides another test.
Every lift contributes to the development process.
And every experience gained now could prove valuable when Ghana arrives in Los Angeles in 2028.
For a nation seeking greater success on the Paralympic stage, the mission in Russia is therefore about much more than one tournament.
It is part of a broader attempt to change the culture and expectations surrounding para-sport in Ghana.
The ultimate goal is to create a generation of Ghanaian para-athletes who do not travel to the Paralympic Games merely hoping to participate, but arrive believing they belong among the medal contenders.
The road to LA28 continues.
The mission is clear: Target the Podium.