Ghana’s national amateur boxing team, the Black Bombers, have entered the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after arriving in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for an intensive pre-Games training and sparring camp.
The three-week camp, hosted by the Ulster Provincial Council, forms the final leg of Ghana’s build-up to the Games, scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2. The Black Bombers are among 19 international teams participating in the high-performance programme aimed at sharpening tactics, improving conditioning and acclimatising athletes ahead of the competition.
The 10-member squad comprises seven male and three female boxers, led by captain Abdul Wahid Omar (65kg) and vice-captain Amadu Mohammed (55kg). The team also includes Desmond Pappoe (80kg), Ebenezer Ankrah (60kg), Precious Akai Nettey (70kg), Jibril Muntari (90kg), Daniel Plange (+90kg), Ramatu Quaye (51kg), Nancy Banfo (54kg) and Adelaide Djabatey (57kg).
Head coach Ofori Asare is leading the technical team alongside assistant coach Daniel Lartekwei Lartey, nutritionist Justine Dzadzetor and physiotherapist George Nbunu Arabia, with Commonwealth Games Association of Ghana representative Edmund Ackom serving as head of delegation. Assistant coach Charles Quartey is expected to join the team during the camp.
The Glasgow Challenge:
BLACK BOMBERS on the final Phase of preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Currently in Belfast,Ireland.#BlackBombers#Glasgow2026#FromGhanaToGlasgowForGold@mosrgh @Gh_NSA @GhanaOlympic pic.twitter.com/3OXH5ihTjR— GHANA BOXING FEDERATION (GBF) (@ghanaboxingfed) July 13, 2026
The Belfast camp follows a rigorous three-month residential training programme at the Winneba Sports College, where the initial 25-member squad was trimmed to the final 10 selected to represent Ghana in Glasgow.
Commonwealth Games Association of Ghana president Richard Akpokavie said the early camp in Europe was strategically planned to help the boxers adapt to the weather and gain valuable sparring experience against elite international opponents before the Games.
Vice-captain Amadu Mohammed also expressed confidence that the preparations in Winneba and Belfast have put the team in a strong position to compete for medals.
The Black Bombers will remain in Belfast until their departure for Glasgow, where they will look to continue Ghana’s rich boxing tradition at the Commonwealth Games.
