Following Winnifred Ntumi’s impressive display, securing Ghana’s inaugural medals at the 13th African Games, the host country has won another medal, taking the medal count to four.
Abeku Jackson claimed the silver in the Men’s 50 Metre Butterfly swimming final, earning Ghana another silver medal.
He was beaten to gold by Egypt’s Ali Khalafala with 23.93 seconds, while Jarden Eaton came third to win the bronze medal for Team South Africa with 24.42 seconds.
This medal is historic as it is Ghana’s first-ever podium finish in the history of the African Games which is in its 13th edition and currently ongoing in Accra.
Jackson finished second with a time of 24.23 seconds. His fellow Ghanaian swimmer, Harry Stacey finished outside of a medal place in fifth, in the event.
Before the final, Jackson stated his desire to win medals for Team Ghana. He said ‘’I’m looking forward to it, I want it more than anyone else. We’re looking forward to doing our best to raise our country’s flag’’.
Jackson and Stacey dominated their heat on the route to the semifinals, finishing in first and third places with a time of 24.12 seconds and 24.84 seconds respectively. In the semifinal, the pair impressed and made it to the finals where Jackson Abeku won Ghana the silver medal.
Jackson was happy to pick up the medal and highlighted the need to recognize the gradual progress in performance in the competition. He said ‘’ “You have to celebrate every single achievement; if you don’t celebrate every little achievement, how would you move forward? It’s a stepping stone but we have to celebrate it.”
“It’s a stepping stone, yesterday Harry got the fourth position (Men’s 100 Metre Freestyle) … today we have a silver medal who knows what tomorrow holds we just look forward to keeping pushing and pushing until we reach the final goal.”