Ghana Name Team for 16th Junior Africa Aquatics Championships

The Ghana Swimming Association (GSA) has announced an eight-person team of promising young athletes ready to make waves at the 16th Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming and Open Water Swimming Championships.

The competition will take place from April 30 to May 3 at the Cairo International Stadium’s swimming pool complex in Egypt’s capital.

Under the guidance of coach Kenneth Ankrah, the squad of four male and four female swimmers will compete across a range of disciplines, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and individual medley events.

Leading the charge for the men’s team is Johnson Gyarko, a familiar face from Ghana‘s successful campaign at the 2024 Africa Aquatics Zone II Swimming and Open Water Championships. Gyako will be looking to make a splash in the men’s 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke events.

Joining him are Tamba Akin Boamah, who has a busy schedule competing in the men’s 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m freestyle, as well as the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke.

Jacob Kaleem will test his speed and agility in the 50m and 100m butterfly, alongside the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle.

Completing the male quartet is Michael Crabbe-Mann, another veteran of the Zone II championships, who will tackle the demanding 200m individual medley as well as the 50m and 100m butterfly and the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke.

The female team features rising star 12-year-old Jada Yankey, who impressed many at the 2024 Africa Aquatics Zone II Swimming and Open Water Championships.

Yankey is set to compete in a demanding programme including the women’s 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle, as well as the 50m and 200m breaststroke and the 200m and 400m individual medley.

Fellow female swimmers Oduma Agyei will compete in the 50m freestyle and the 50m and 100m butterfly, while Yemen Bozuma Cornie will focus on the 800m freestyle and the 100m and 200m breaststroke.

Rounding out the team is Rihana Yankey, who will participate in the 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m freestyle; the 50m and 100m butterfly; the 50m and 100m breaststroke; and the 200m individual medley.

This talented group of young Ghanaian swimmers will now focus their training as they prepare to compete against the best junior swimmers from across the African continent in Cairo. 

Swimming enthusiasts in Ghana and beyond will be eagerly following their progress at the championships.