Ghana has named Para Powerlifter Haruna Tahiru as the bearer of the country’s version of the King’s Baton ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, a fitting honour for an athlete who has become a trailblazer for para sport in Ghana.
The King’s Baton, a symbol of unity carried through Commonwealth nations ahead of the Games, has been crafted from Ash, a Scottish hardwood, and adorned with hand-woven authentic Ghanaian Kente cloth, a design intended to reflect the country’s heritage, unity, and enduring values.
Tahiru’s selection to carry the baton follows a landmark year in his career. He became the first para athlete from Ghana to qualify for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, a breakthrough secured through collaboration between the Ghana Olympic Committee and the National Paralympic Committee Ghana (NPC Ghana)
His qualification followed a strong showing at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where Ghana submitted bipartite applications for two para powerlifters, with Tahiru ultimately awarded the slot for Team Ghana.
He arrives in Glasgow in career-best form. Earlier this year, Tahiru won bronze in the Men’s Up to 107kg+ category at the ORAN African Open Championships in Algeria, finishing behind two Iranian lifters, and was also recognised as the Number One Ranked Athlete in Africa in that division.
At the Games, Tahiru will compete in the Men’s +100kg Para Powerlifting category, one of five Ghanaian athletes representing the country across Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, and Para Swimming
The Ghana Paralympic Committee formally unveiled the squad at a ceremony in June 2026, with NPC Ghana President Samson Deen describing the occasion as a celebration of “determination, resilience, and excellence”
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games run from 23 July to 2 August, bringing together athletes from across the Commonwealth in track cycling, judo, para powerlifting, para swimming, swimming, weightlifting, and other disciplines.