President of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation and Member of Parliament for Weija Gbawe, Jerry Shaib, has called for increased investment in weightlifting to boost the sport’s development in the country.
He made the appeal at the opening ceremony of the 2025 African Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championship, which Ghana is hosting from August 15 to 22.
Mr. Shaib expressed optimism that hosting the continental competition would not only raise the profile of weightlifting but also inspire more young athletes to take up the sport.
“This championship has been long in the making, and we believe it presents an opportunity to attract more people to appreciate weightlifting. In Ghana, one of the least financed sports is weightlifting. Public attention is largely on football, but we hope this platform will encourage more athletes to get involved,” he said.
The week-long event has brought together top junior and youth weightlifters from across Africa, competing for honours and continental recognition.
