Ghana to send 40 athletes to 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

Ghana will send a contingent of 40 athletes to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, marking a sharp reduction from its previous outing, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has announced.

GOC president Richard Akpokavie, Esq., revealed the plans during the committee’s 2026 Annual General Meeting held at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Accra.

“We expect to send a contingent of approximately 40 athletes, depending on outstanding qualifications, together with 21 officials including coaches, medical personnel, safeguarding officers, and the Chef de Mission,” Akpokavie said.

He added that Ghana would compete in eight events: Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Judo, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Para Swimming, and Weightlifting.

The Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 2, 2026.

The figure represents a significant decline from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where Ghana fielded 100 athletes—60 men and 40 women.

The reduced contingent follows a decision by the Commonwealth Games Federation in October 2024 to slash the sporting program from 19 sports to just 10. The emergency measure was taken after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as host due to spiraling costs.

Disciplines removed include cricket, field hockey, rugby sevens, squash, and wrestling.

The Commonwealth Games feature more than 50 countries, most of which are former British colonies.