Ghana’s emerging sprint talents, the women’s relay produced one of the emotional high points of the championships.
With little external pressure and modest expectations, Ghana’s youthful quartet — dominated by products of the Senior High School athletics system — ran with remarkable composure and fearlessness against some of Africa’s elite sprint nations.
Teenage sensation Gladys Boateng, popularly known as “Gaza” and a student of St Louis SHS in Kumasi, gave Ghana a sharp opening leg before handing over to Janet Darkoah Kwarteng, the Level 100 University of Cape Coast student whose explosive run down the back straight hauled Ghana firmly into contention.
Experienced campaigner Janet Mensah steadied the team brilliantly on the third leg before handing the baton to TI Ahmadiyya SHS final-year student Aishatu Jaffar — affectionately known as “Odo Broni” — for the decisive anchor.
What followed sent the stadium into delirium. Jaffar held her nerve magnificently under immense pressure and unleashed a devastating burst of top-end speed to chase down the leading pack and seal bronze for Ghana in 44.85 seconds.
As the quartet crossed the line, the stadium erupted in thunderous applause in recognition not just of a medal, but of the courage, composure and promise shown by a young team competing at its first major international championship.
Nigeria underlined their sprint dominance by retaining the women’s title in 42.94 seconds, while Liberia claimed silver in 43.05 seconds — repeating the exact top-three order of Nigeria-Liberia-Ghana from the 2024 African Championships in Cameroun.
Beyond the relays, the championships continued to produce world-class performances. Kenya’s Diana Wanza delivered a commanding masterclass in the women’s 10,000m, destroying the field to win gold in 31 minutes, 33.26 seconds. Rwanda’s Florence Niyonkuru took silver in 31:43.73, while Ethiopia’s Asefu Kiros secured bronze in 31:45.91.
In the women’s shot put, South Africa’s Collete Uyis claimed gold with a throw of 17.63m ahead of Gabon’s Carine Mekam, who registered 16.71m for silver. Kenya’s Belinda Adhiambo completed the podium with bronze after a throw of 16.39m.
At press time, Ghana had accumulated five medals — one silver and four bronze — after four days of competition.
Still without a gold medal on home soil, the hosts will now place their final hopes on the men’s 200m today as the championships reach their climax in Legon.
