The Ghanaian National Armwrestling team, known as the Golden Arms, provided an outstanding performance at the just-ended 14th African Armwrestling Championship, held in Nigeria at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium’s indoor sports hall.

The championship held from July 22 to July 28, which brought together 19 nations from across the continent, saw Ghana win a total of fifty-three. This comprises twenty-four gold medals, twenty silver medals, and nine bronze medals across various weight classes in the junior, youth, and senior divisions.

Acting Director of Corporate Affairs at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr. Oswald Essuah-Mensah, represented the Authority at the event and took part in awarding medals to some of the victorious athletes.

While highlighting the relevance of the support provided to the team by the National Health Insurance Authority, Mr. Essuah-Mensah said, “Supporting the Golden Arms aligns perfectly with the NHIA’s broader mandate of promoting health and wellness among Ghanaians. Sports serve not only as a platform for national pride but also as a vital channel for promoting preventive healthcare and encouraging active lifestyles, especially among young people."

"Armwrestling is rapidly emerging as a grassroots sport that instils discipline, resilience, and physical fitness—values essential to building a healthy nation. Our presence at the 14th African Armwrestling Championship and the provision of health coverage for the team demonstrate our commitment to supporting elite athletes, who deserve both national recognition and institutional support to safeguard their health while representing Ghana. We see this partnership as a meaningful investment in the future of sports and health development in Ghana,” he added.

According to the NHIA, its involvement was part of Ghana’s ongoing commitment to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly promoting health and wellness among Ghanaian athletes.

“This gesture ensured that the team had access to essential health services and coverage while competing abroad. Ghana’s outstanding performance at the championship solidified its position as a force in African armwrestling, with athletes showcasing strength, resilience, and dedication to the sport,” the NHIA stated in a Facebook post.

The Golden Arms are now poised to compete at the upcoming 46th World Armwrestling Championship, which will be held in Bulgaria in September 2025.

Ahead of the championship, Hon. Adeyinka Adeboye, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, has assured that Nigeria is fully ready to deliver a world-class experience at the Maiden Africa Armwrestling Championship Mascot Unveiling and Fundraising Gala.

“The confirmation we’ve received from our high-profile guests shows we are on the right path. With the support of our leadership, our partners, and the people, I have no doubt that this will go down as one of the best-organized championships in African sporting history. Africa and the rest of the continent will experience a Nigeria that is ready, united, and proud,” he said.

He added, “This is our moment. We are not just hosting Africa—we are inviting the world to witness what Nigerian sports can achieve when we unite purpose with passion.”

In 2025 so far, several Ghanaian teams have put Ghana’s name in the limelight following their success in competitions.

In May this year, Lance Corporal ( L/Cpl) Gabriel Owusu, a Prison Officer and the captain of the Ghana Weightlifting team on Tuesday May 6, presented the three silver medals he won during the African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Mauritius to the Director General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq) at the Prisons Headquarters in Accra.

Competing as both a prison officer and the captain of the national weightlifting team, L/Cpl. Owusu showcased exceptional strength and determination, securing his place among the continent’s top lifters. His outstanding performance has significantly boosted his international rankings and cemented his reputation as one of Ghana's leading weightlifters.

This achievement follows his promising display at the 2024 All-African Games hosted in Ghana, where he placed fourth in the Senior Men’s Division—a performance that hinted at his rising potential on the African stage.

Last year, Ghana showcased an outstanding performance at the 2023 Africa Games, surpassing its medal tally from the previous two editions combined. With an impressive haul of 46 medals, Ghana exceeded the 32 medals won in both Rabat 2019 and Brazzaville 2015.

The majority of Ghana’s medals have been earned in arm wrestling, with the team securing a remarkable 41 medals in this sport alone. Notable athletes like Edward Asamoah, Abeka Blessed, and Grace Mintah have contributed to this success, each clinching two gold medals.

Additionally, athletes such as Godwin Sackey, Abeka Blessed, and Mabel Yeboah have also earned gold medals in their respective categories.

Beyond arm wrestling, Ghana has also seen success in swimming and weightlifting. Abeiku Jackson has claimed silver and bronze medals in the men’s 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly events, respectively. In weightlifting, Winnifred Ntumi has excelled, securing gold, silver, and another silver medal in the women’s 49kg category.