Gabriel Owusu defies controversies to win three medals at African Senior Weightlifting Championships

Gabriel Owusu, captain of Ghana’s weightlifting team, won three silver medals. He achieved this at the 2025 African Senior Weightlifting Championships in Mauritius.

Before the competition, there were concerns about Ghana's participation. The President of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, had withdrawn Team Ghana from the event.

On April 22, 2025, Kevin Frey, CEO of Just Keep Going Inc., criticized this decision. He called it "unilateral, unjust, and deeply damaging." Frey alleged that the withdrawal was politically motivated.

He claimed that athletes who supported reform within the Federation were targeted. Their removal was both punitive and political, he stated in a press release.

The Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF) denied these allegations. They explained that the athletes were never authorized to compete. Participation in international competitions requires prior clearance from the GWF.

“Their presence in Mauritius was not sanctioned,” said the GWF. No team list was submitted or entry clearance granted. They emphasized that enforcing governance should not be seen as betrayal.

The GWF also reaffirmed that Jerry Ahmed Shaib is still president of the Federation. They urged stakeholders to respect institutional authority.

“Participation involves formal authorization and accountability,” they stressed.

Despite earlier setbacks, Ghana sent four athletes: Paul Agrama (55kg), Marie Korkor Agbah-Hughes (+87kg), Gabriel Owusu (+109kg), and Sylvanus Kugblenu (89kg). Kugblenu's category was misentered as 81kg due to technical issues.

Owusu’s three silver medals came in the +109kg division. This added to Ghana’s medal tally despite challenges faced before the event.

JoySports reported that Minister for Sports Kofi Adams intervened for Ghana's participation. The Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, also helped ensure representation at the Championships.

Initially, eight athletes were expected to compete; only four participated. Winifred Ntumi was scheduled but did not compete; no explanation has been given for her absence.

The team is set to return home on April 30, 2025. They will arrive at Kotoka International Airport.