French Embassy honours Ghanaian athletes from Paris Olympics

The French Embassy in Ghana has honoured the nation’s athletes who returned from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at a special ceremony held at the Alliance Française in Accra on Thursday, October 3, 2024. 

The event not only celebrated the athletes' efforts but also highlighted the strong sporting ties and cultural exchanges between Ghana and France.

The gathering brought together high-ranking diplomats and officials, including the Deputy French Ambassador to Ghana, Rafael Pont; the Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy, Julien Lecas; the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah, and the President of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana, Samson Deen.

Among the athletes present were Tahiru Haruna, Stacy Konadu Mensah, Zainabu Issah, Edmund Govina and Joselle Mensah.

In a symbolic gesture of appreciation, the French Embassy presented a commemorative token to the athletes, representing unity and shared aspirations for excellence.

In return, the Ghana Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee presented the embassy with autographed jerseys signed by the athletes, as a token of gratitude for the support they received during their preparations for the Games.

Celebrating excellence

At the ceremony, the Deputy French Ambassador, Rafael Pont, lauded the athletes for their dedication, perseverance and exemplary conduct during their stay in France.

He acknowledged the numerous challenges faced by athletes, such as funding and training opportunities, and emphasised the importance of recognising their efforts to boost morale.

“The determination and resilience exhibited by the Ghanaian athletes at the Olympic Games are commendable. This recognition is not just for their participation, but for their role as ambassadors of Ghanaian sport on the global stage,” Mr Pont stated.

The Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy, Julien Lecas, also highlighted the deep ties between Ghana and France, particularly in sports and cultural exchanges.

He reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting the development of sports in Ghana through partnerships and collaborations.

“Ghanaian athletes have displayed not just talent, but an unbreakable spirit. We are here to celebrate your hard work, dedication and the pride you bring to Ghana on the world stage. The French Embassy is proud of you and we assure you of our commitment to continue working together,” Mr Lecas remarked.

Gratitude and support

In his address, GOC President, Ben Nunoo Mensah, expressed gratitude to the French Embassy for its assistance in the lead-up to the Olympic Games, which included hosting the Ghanaian athletes in Strasbourg for a 21-day camp.

“We thank the French Embassy for their immense support in helping our athletes prepare for the Olympic Games. Although we did not win any medals, the experience and exposure gained are invaluable,” he said.

He further emphasised the need for continuous investment in sports development and infrastructure to prepare for future competitions.

“Our athletes have shown that Ghana has the potential to excel on the international stage. With continued support and investment, we will achieve even greater results at future Olympic Games,” Mr Nunoo Mensah added.

Exposure

The President of the National Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, also commended the French Embassy for its support, noting that it provided the athletes with the necessary exposure and experience.

He urged the embassy to continue its support in the run-up to future sporting events, citing the positive impact on the athletes’ performance and development.

"The assistance from the French Embassy has significantly boosted the athletes' confidence and experience. We hope this partnership will continue as we prepare for other international competitions," Mr Deen stated.