Hosts Ghana produced a memorable performance to claim the mixed doubles title at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Accra, with Israel Aklie and Joanita Borteye defeating Tunisia 3-0 in a commanding final to secure the country’s first continental gold medal in table tennis in nearly four decades.

The triumph marks a historic milestone for Ghanaian table tennis, ending a 39-year wait for a continental title since the country’s last major success in 1987.

Playing before a home crowd, Aklie and Borteye delivered an outstanding display to underline Ghana’s growing status in African table tennis.

Much of the success has been attributed to the work of national coach Robert Amartey, whose efforts in developing young talent have begun to yield impressive results.

In addition to guiding Aklie and Borteye to gold, Amartey also led Ghana’s Boys Under-15 team to a bronze medal at the championship.

The achievements have been widely praised as evidence of the progress being made in the sport, with the young players earning recognition for their determination and exceptional performances throughout the tournament.

Ghana Table Tennis Federation President Mawuko Afadzinu has also received commendation for his role in securing the hosting rights for the continental championship.

Bringing the tournament to Accra provided local players with valuable international exposure while showcasing Ghana’s ability to stage a major table tennis event.

For Coach Amartey, the success represents the reward for years of dedication to nurturing the country’s next generation of stars.

The continental gold and bronze medals are expected to strengthen calls for greater investment in grassroots table tennis and increased support from the country’s sporting authorities.

The breakthrough performance at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships is expected to serve as a major boost for the sport in Ghana, inspiring more young athletes to take up table tennis and raising hopes of sustained success on the African stage.