By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
November 6, 2026
Ghana’s young swimmers are making encouraging progress at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, with a national record and several personal-best performances highlighting the country’s campaign in the pool.
Leading the achievements is 16-year-old Tamba Akin Boamah, who set a new Ghanaian national record in the men’s 50-metre breaststroke after clocking 30.27 seconds on Thursday, November 5.
The performance surpassed the previous national mark of 30.34 seconds, held by fellow Ghanaian swimmer Harry Stacey, giving Boamah a place in the country’s swimming record books.
His achievement has been accompanied by impressive performances from teammates Kelvin Abdallah and Jada Christiana Yankey, who have also improved their personal times in their respective events.
The results offer an encouraging moment for Ghana’s swimming contingent as the country competes against emerging talents from around the world at the first Youth Olympic Games to be hosted on African soil.
Tamba Boamah sets new national record
Boamah’s 30.27-second performance in the men’s 50m breaststroke stands out as one of Ghana’s major swimming achievements at the Dakar Games.
The young swimmer improved on the previous national record of 30.34 seconds, which was established by Harry Stacey in 2024.
Although the time did not place Boamah among the event’s leading qualifiers, the national record represents a significant personal and sporting milestone.
The swimmer had also competed in other events during the competition, including the men’s 100m freestyle and breaststroke events.
His record-breaking performance adds to the growing experience he is gaining against international opposition at a major youth sporting competition.
Kelvin Abdallah and Jada Yankey record personal bests
Boamah was not the only Ghanaian swimmer to produce an improved performance in Dakar.
Kelvin Abdallah recorded a personal best of 28.64 seconds in the men’s 50m backstroke, improving on his previous mark of 30.00 seconds.
The improvement represents an important step in the young swimmer’s development as he continues to gain experience at international competitions.
Jada Christiana Yankey also delivered encouraging performances in the women’s events.
The 14-year-old recorded a personal best of 1:02.15 in the women’s 100m freestyle on November 3, improving on her previous time of 1:02.96.
She finished second in her heat, although her time was not sufficient to secure qualification for the next round.
Yankey later recorded another personal best in the women’s 50m breaststroke, clocking 34.91 seconds and finishing 14th overall.
Her performances demonstrate the progress being made by the young swimmer as she competes against some of the world’s promising teenage athletes.
Ghana’s swimming team at Dakar 2026
Ghana’s swimming delegation comprises four athletes: Kelvin Abdallah, Mercedes Abdallah, Tamba Akin Boamah and Jada Christiana Yankey.
The swimmers form part of a 13-athlete Ghanaian delegation competing across eight sporting disciplines at the Games.
The wider Team Ghana contingent includes athletes in athletics, badminton, beach volleyball, boxing, judo, table tennis and taekwondo.
The country’s participation is part of its fourth appearance at the Youth Olympic Games, following previous campaigns in Singapore in 2010, Nanjing in 2014 and Buenos Aires in 2018.
The 2026 edition is particularly significant because it is the first time the Youth Olympic Games are being held in Africa.
A promising moment for Ghanaian swimming
Swimming has not always received the same public attention in Ghana as football and athletics, but the performances in Dakar have provided an opportunity to recognise the country’s developing talents in the sport.
Boamah’s national record and the personal-best performances from Abdallah and Yankey show the value of exposing young athletes to international competition.
However, continued progress will require more than isolated achievements. Access to quality training facilities, experienced coaching, competitive opportunities and sustained financial support will be important in helping the swimmers build on their performances.
For the young Ghanaian athletes, Dakar 2026 offers more than the opportunity to compete for medals. It is also a chance to gain international experience, measure their progress and prepare for future senior-level competitions.
As the Games continue, Ghana’s swimming performances provide a reason for encouragement, with a new national record and several personal milestones adding to the country’s presence on the international sporting stage.
