The two para swimmers with Farida Iddriss
Two Ghanaian para swimmers, Promise Atsu and Bryan Baffour, have departed for Australia to compete in the World Para Swimming Series 2026, marking a historic first for the country in the sport.
The pair flew out of Ghana on Tuesday evening ahead of the three-day competition scheduled for February 20–22 at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.
Beyond racing, both athletes will also undergo international classification — a key requirement for participation in global para swimming events.
The championship forms part of the qualification pathway toward the Commonwealth Games, giving the Ghanaian swimmers a major opportunity to earn recognition and ranking on the world stage.
Atsu and Baffour are set to compete in three events: the 50m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke, and 100m Breaststroke.
The trip is reportedly being funded by the Ghana Olympic Committee and represents a significant breakthrough for the Ghana Para Swimming Association, led by its president, Farida Iddriss, who took office in May 2025.
In a statement, the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana praised Iddriss for her role in securing the opportunity for the athletes, highlighting her leadership and advocacy in advancing para swimming development nationwide.
The committee added that the nation is firmly behind the swimmers and expressed hope that their participation and potential qualification will inspire a new generation of para athletes across Ghana.
BY Wletsu Ransford