The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has launched a focused athlete development program in Europe to boost the nation’s medal chances at the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
As a key part of this plan, two of Ghana’s most promising female athletes have been awarded Olympic Scholarships for advanced training abroad. Judo athlete Elizabeth Serwaa Oduro has begun an intensive training program in France, while Taekwondo standout Henritta Naa Ayele Armah will undertake similar high-level training in Germany.
The scholarships, provided through the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity program, offer full support. This includes all travel to and from the training centers, one trip home per year during holidays, and a $5,000 subsidy for each athlete to travel to important competitions.
Mr. Richard Akpokavie, President of the GOC, explained that this move is a core part of a long-term strategy to improve Ghana’s performance at the Olympic Games. He emphasized that the scholarships are not gifts, but rewards earned through the athletes’ hard work and high-level results, as identified by their national coaches.
“Our number one priority is the athletes , how to support them and help them achieve their goals. We will do everything we can to help them reach the top,” stated Mr. Akpokavie. “In return, we ask for one thing: when we invest in you, you must give your full commitment and work hard.”
The GOC President also praised the various sports federations for their dedicated work in developing athletes who proudly represent Ghana worldwide. He added that the athletes’ progress will be carefully measured based on their performances at major international tournaments during their time in Europe.
Mr. Kenneth Arthur, President of the Ghana Judo Association, expressed gratitude to the GOC for including a judoka in this first group, calling it a sign of strong confidence in the sport. He described both Elizabeth and Henritta as highly disciplined competitors with the clear goal of qualifying for the next Olympics and winning medals for Ghana.
The Olympic Scholarships will run until 2028, directly supporting Ghana’s build-up to the Games. The announcement was made at a meeting attended by the presidents of several Ghanaian sports federations, including Ghana Rugby, Badminton, Armwrestling, Taekwondo, and Sports For All.