Ghana Sports in 2024: The Highs and Lows
The year 2024 was a rollercoaster for Ghanaian sports, marked by significant triumphs and glaring disappointments across various disciplines.
While moments of glory highlighted the nation’s resilience and potential, repeated failures in key sporting events underscored persistent challenges.
Football: A Year to Forget
The Black Stars endured one of their worst years in history, beginning with a disappointing group-stage exit at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
The team failed to secure a single victory, managing just two draws against Egypt and Mozambique and losing to Cape Verde.
This lackluster performance led to the dismissal of head coach Chris Hughton and the reappointment of Otto Addo.
In the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, the situation was even more dire as Ghana failed to win any of their six matches, finishing bottom of Group F, including Angola, Sudan, Niger.
Consequently, Ghana missed out on the 2025 tournament—a first in over two decades.
The national team managed just two wins throughout the year, marking a low point in Ghanaian football.
Other national teams also faltered. The Black Princesses exited the U-20 Women’s World Cup at the group stage, while the Black Starlets finished fourth in the WAFU Zone B Championship, failing to qualify for the U-17 AFCON.
On a brighter note, the Black Queens secured qualification for the 2025 Women’s AFCON but missed out on the Olympics after falling to Zambia.
The Black Galaxies capped off the year with a disappointing 3-1 aggregate loss to Nigeria, failing to qualify for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
A Glorious African Games in Accra
One shining moment in 2024 was Ghana’s successful hosting of the 13th African Games in Accra.
Originally scheduled for 2023, the event saw Ghana invest in world-class infrastructure, leaving a lasting legacy for sports development in the country.
Team Ghana delivered its best-ever performance at the games, winning 68 medals, including 19 gold, 29 silver, and 20 bronze.
This achievement boosted national morale and showcased the nation’s potential in multi-sport competitions.
Boxing: A Mixed Bag
Ghanaian boxing had a tumultuous year. Despite the nation’s proud boxing heritage, Ghana ended 2024 without a male world champion.
Many fighters suffered defeats on the international stage, dampening the sport’s reputation.
However, there was one historic high. Abigail Kwartekaa Quartey became Ghana’s first female world champion, defeating the UK’s Sangeeta Birdi to claim the WIBF super bantamweight title. Her triumph was a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging year for Ghanaian boxing.
Olympics Disappointment
The 2024 Paris Olympics added to Ghana’s woes, with the nation failing to win any medals.
Nine athletes represented Ghana, but none managed to secure a podium finish, highlighting the need for better preparations and investment in athletics.
Looking Ahead to 2025
While 2024 was not the best year for Ghanaian sports, the resilience and determination shown in certain areas offer hope for the future.
The lessons learned from this year’s challenges could serve as a catalyst for improvement as Ghana strives to regain its place as a dominant force in African and global sports.
With the 2025 Women’s AFCON and other international tournaments on the horizon, Ghanaians will be looking for a turnaround in fortunes.
The successes of the African Games and Abigail Quartey’s boxing triumph are reminders of what is possible with focus, preparation, and investment.