By Kwame Larweh
Ghana’s national table tennis team, the Black Loopers, delivered an outstanding performance at the Festival of Table Tennis 2025, held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria. The festival featured multiple high-profile competitions, including the West Africa Regional Championship, WTT Contender, Africa Hopes Challenge, African Youth Championship, and African Youth Cup. Simultaneously, a Ghanaian contingent made an impact at the inaugural African Schools Games in Algiers, Algeria — a testament to the nation’s growing influence in the sport under the strategic leadership of Mr Mawuko Afadzinu, President of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA).
West Africa Regional Championships: Women Secure Bronze
In the West Africa Regional Championships, Ghana’s men’s team — Emmanuel Commey, James Marfo, Israel Aklie, and Michael Yeboah — faced strong opposition from regional giants such as Nigeria and Togo. The women’s team, made up of Cynthia Kwabi, Bernice Borley Borquaye, and Joanita Borteye, and coached by Davis Senyo Ahiaba, claimed a bronze medal.
Their decisive victory over Côte d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals — marked by sharp serves and consistent rallying — secured their place on the podium and a qualification spot at the upcoming African Table Tennis Championship 2025, a clear indication of their growing unity and technical improvement.
Historic WTT Semifinal Run for Commey and Marfo
At the WTT Contender Lagos 2025, Emmanuel Commey and James Marfo made history by becoming the first Ghanaian pair to reach the semi-finals of a World Table Tennis (WTT) championship. After overcoming tough matches against Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, a former African champion, and Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw, the duo’s remarkable cohesion was evident. Though they eventually fell to a formidable Egyptian side, their achievement represents a significant milestone for Ghanaian table tennis on the international stage.
Israel Aklie’s Ascendancy in the Africa Hopes Challenge
Israel Aklie — the 2024 SWAG Table Tennis Player of the Year — continued his impressive rise in the Africa Hopes Challenge, securing a bronze medal after a hard-fought match against Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti. Known for his rapid reflexes and tactical acumen, Aklie added this bronze to his gold from the 2024 edition of the tournament.
His consistent performances earned him selection by the African Table Tennis Federation to represent the continent at the World Hopes Challenge in Sheffield, England, scheduled for October 2025.
More Medals at the African Youth Championship
Aklie’s success extended into the African Youth Championship, where he led Ghana’s Under-15 boys’ team — alongside Hamza Issah and Prince Aklie — to a bronze medal. The trio defeated Benin and Burkina Faso with composure and confidence. In the Under-15 boys’ doubles, Israel partnered with his brother Prince Aklie to win another bronze, outlasting a technically sharp Tunisian duo with their excellent coordination.
African Schools Games: Mensah Leads Medal Push
At the inaugural African Schools Games in Algiers, Ghana was represented by Michael Agyapong Mensah, Michael Yeboah, and Esi Abaidoo. Mensah stood out by securing a bronze medal in the boys’ singles event, defeating Algeria’s Yacine Bouzou in a tense and thrilling encounter. His achievement further highlights the growing depth of Ghana’s table tennis talent across youth levels.
The Vision of Mawuko Afadzinu
The achievements of the Black Loopers are a direct result of the transformative leadership of GTTA President Mawuko Afadzinu. Since assuming office, Mr Afadzinu has prioritised youth development, improved access to training infrastructure, and secured international exposure for players. Through initiatives such as regional outreach, strategic partnerships, and increased investment in schools’ programmes, he has unearthed and nurtured rising stars including Israel Aklie and Michael Agyapong Mensah.
“Our goal is to make Ghana a table tennis powerhouse in Africa,” said Mr Afadzinu, commending the dedication of the players and the commitment of coaches such as Davis Senyo Ahiaba. His advocacy for greater participation in international tournaments has significantly raised Ghana’s profile in the sport.
Looking Ahead
With Israel Aklie set to compete on the global stage in Sheffield and the women’s team preparing for the African Table Tennis Championship, the future looks bright for Ghana’s Black Loopers. Under Mawuko Afadzinu’s visionary guidance, the GTTA is building a sustainable culture of excellence, ensuring that Ghana’s presence in international table tennis continues to grow from strength to strength.
