After the Singapore debacle where Ghana failed to pick a single medal at the Youth Olympics, the country bounced back in style to win a total of 10 medals in two disciplines at the maiden ECOWAS under-23 Games in Abuja. And the results, no doubt, have brought on an added impetus as Ghana prepares to host the second edition of the Games in 2012. Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, Nii Nortey Dua, who was at the Games to finalise Ghana's hosting right and to learn from the Nigeria event, told the Daily Graphic Ghana was ready to host the rest of the sub-region. Ghana's limitation in the number of disciplines notwithstanding, she finished second behind host, Nigeria, which competed in almost all the disciplines. Nigeria was the overall best with a total of 18 medals, eight more than Ghana's record achievement. But Ghana's 32-30 win over the host nation in handball overshadowed Nigeria's achievement as tops at the end of the event. Ghana produced a fire power to silence the host country in a thrilling match Nigeria expected to pick their final gold to climax the event, but that was not be. Team Ghana won two gold medals, two silver and six bronze with 11 athletes Coach Albert Nukpezah, who briefed the Daily Graphic, described the athletes’ performance as impressive. Janet Amposah of Kumasi and William Akoka of Prempeh College were some of the revelations in the Ghanaian squad. Janet anchored both the 4X 100 and 4X 400 metre races to win gold, and silver respectively and capped her stellar performance with a bronze medal in the 200 meters. Akoka proved too strong for his competitors in the 1,500 meters race to pick gold and also won bronze in the 800 metres. Also excellent at the competition was Beatrice Djangman of the Ghana Fire Service who was also part of the gold-winning 4X100 and 4X400 races and did well to win bronze in the female 100 metres. Team Ghana returned home last Sunday. Source: Daily Graphic