Ghana’s first female Olympic weightlifter Alberta Ampomah dies at 32

Alberta Boatemaa Ampomah, Ghana’s first female Olympic weightlifter and a dedicated advocate for athlete welfare, has died at the age of 32.

The Ghana Olympians Association, the Ghana Olympic Committee, and the GOC Athletes Commission announced her death in a joint statement on Sunday. “With deep sorrow, the Ghana Olympians Association, Ghana Olympic Committee and GOC Athletes Commission mourn Alberta Ampomah, OLY (1994-2026), Ghana’s first Olympic weightlifter and a devoted servant of her fellow Olympians and athletes. May her soul rest in peace,” the statement read.

Ampomah made history at the 2012 London Olympic Games, becoming the first Ghanaian woman to represent the nation in weightlifting at the global event.

Competing in the women’s super-heavyweight (+75kg) category, she lifted a total of 174kg—73kg in the snatch and 101kg in the clean and jerk—to finish 13th. She secured her spot at the Games after placing third in the clean and jerk at the African Olympic qualifiers, earning a wild card entry.

Before her historic Olympic appearance, Ampomah represented Ghana at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and won a bronze medal at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in the same year.

Following her competitive career, she remained actively involved in sports development and athlete welfare.

She also officiated in armwrestling competitions, contributing to the growth of the sport in Ghana. Her death is a significant loss to the country’s Olympic movement. Tributes are pouring in from athletes and officials who remember her as a trailblazer who inspired many young women to take up weightlifting.