“I Shed tears when I saw Samuel Takyi on the podium” – Ben Nunoo Mensah reflects on GOC legacy

Ben Nunoo Mensah, the outgoing President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), shared an emotional moment from his presidency. He felt a deep sense of pride when boxer Samuel Takyi stood on the podium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Takyi won bronze in the men’s featherweight division. This victory ended Ghana’s 29-year Olympic medal drought. The last medal was won in 1992 by the Black Meteors in men’s football.

Nunoo Mensah spoke about how this moment affected him personally. He noted that Ghana had not been on the Olympic podium for nearly 30 years. Seeing Takyi invited to stand next to IOC President Thomas Bach was incredibly moving. "I shed a tear when I saw him up there," he said.

Nunoo Mensah has served as GOC President since 2017. He confirmed he will not seek re-election in the upcoming congress later this month. Instead, he supports Richard Akpokavie and M.O. Aggrey as potential successors.

Under his leadership, Ghana returned to the Olympic podium and made significant progress in sports development. His tenure also focused on athlete welfare and improving infrastructure. He oversaw Ghana's participation in major international events like the Youth Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

The upcoming GOC elections will bring new leadership for Ghana's Olympic movement. With the Paris 2024 Games approaching, this transition is crucial. As Nunoo Mensah prepares to step aside, he leaves behind a proud legacy for Ghana's Olympic history.