They rise before dawn. No stadium crowds. No loud applause. Just grit, grass, and grit again. On a quiet track in El Wak Stadium, Accra, three figures stretch into the morning—two young men with missing limbs, and their coach, holding nothing back.

This is not just training.

This is transformation.

Meet Edmond Govina and Amos Ahianga. Two para-athletes. One dream: to rewrite Ghana’s sporting narrative—one stride, one throw, one heartbeat at a time.

"I actually had an accident—I was involved in a road traffic accident," Edmond recalls, a tragedy that wiped off his hand from the elbow.

"I think in my rehabilitation, that was where I met a physio and he introduced me to sports as part of my rehab. Through the process, we got into it."

It was a life-defining crash that stole his arm about seven years ago. However, what could have broken him became his making. Today, he’s captain of Ghana’s para-athletics team, flinging javelins and shot puts with a force far greater than muscle: purpose.

Introducing a man in pain may not have been enough. "I got interested, read more about it, and so after my recovery, I decided to take it up as an interest to explore and see how it's going to help me."

Before venturing into this field that has produced greats..."I needed someone to counsel me on what exactly I would do, and I approached the NPC [National Paralympic Committee] at the time… It's been about seven years now.

"I spoke to them about it, and they counselled me, looked at my strengths, and saw where they felt I could do well—and the interest that I had, which was athletics. So I took up athletics,” he recounts with a reflective calm.

"And even the athletics had some processes that I had to go through and all that, so it has been a mixed feeling,” he describes it.

Amos’ story runs parallel. A sprinter and long jumper, he races not only against time but against doubt, stigma, and hardship.

“Way back in primary, we used to come to El Wak to train and compete in inter-school [sports events], and when we were here to compete, I was the best among them [including able-bodied students]."

His early promise didn’t go unnoticed.

“So Coach Sulemana Ibrahim came to me and told me that the way I was able to run with the able-bodied people and came first, he wanted to train me so that I could become somebody in future. That's how I got interested in athletics."

These may have sounded like mere words of encouragement, but they weren’t. They were prophetic. Coach Sulemana saw his life today from afar. Here he is—changing narratives when he and those around him once thought life was over before it even started.

"Through the sport, I was able to travel to Morocco, France, and Malawi, so I went to experience life out there. It has really helped me a lot.

“When I went to Morocco and France, I met so many different people and the kinds of disabilities they have. I told myself that I am okay, because with my condition, I can wash, I can do everything by myself, so I always thank God for giving me the strength and ability to do the sport."

Many people like Edmond and Amos can indeed do a lot—but back home, their efforts often go unnoticed.

Behind their ascent stands Coach Ibrahim Aminu Sulemana. A man whose eye for talent is matched only by his unwavering belief.

"Someone like Amos—I got Amos when he was in class five or six at Kotobabi, that school over there," Coach Sulemana narrates the story of how the sprinter was discovered many years ago.

"He came to El Wak with able-bodied people, and he was the fastest guy among them. So I quickly approached him, asked him, 'What is your name?' and he mentioned it. I asked, 'Where is your class teacher?' and he introduced me. I said, 'Can I talk to your class teacher?' and he said, 'Yes.' So I quickly went to the teacher and told him, 'This boy is a product, a material for the nation—not for you alone—so we can help him to achieve something.'

"The teacher said, 'That's fine, but I will go back to school and talk to his parents.' I think they are closer to the school. So that's where I got Amos from."

Edmond, too, didn’t stumble upon the field—he sought it. "Edmond came on his own, and we supported his dream too."

But the hurdles off-track are often higher than those on it. "The challenges are real," Amos admits.

“Waking up at 5 a.m. to train, no transport, and using your own money. Some days, I wanted to give up. But Coach Ibrahim always encouraged me to sacrifice for my future."

In this country you and I were born, there appears to be a system that often forgets its most determined.

“Our biggest challenge is the lack of local competitions. Without competing with others in our impairment category, we are underprepared for international contests. Our stadiums aren't friendly either,” Edmond laments.

"We lack essential equipment like prosthetics and racing wheelchairs. These are expensive, and many athletes can't afford them. Even within athletics, disciplines like wheelchair racing are left out."

Yet they persist—not just for medals, but for meaning.

There’s growing consensus that para-sports deserve a fair share of national investment. With enhanced media exposure, proper scouting, and structural planning, the future could be bright.

"We always see attention on football," Ibrahim claims.

"We want the sports minister to open support to all disciplines. With five years of serious planning, Ghana can lead in para-sports."

Edmond and Amos are not just athletes — they’re role models for people with disabilities, especially those begging on the streets.

“I also barber,” says Amos. "I want others to see that we can do more with our lives."

“Begging is not our purpose," he states. "There are opportunities — in sports, education, skills training."

“Para-sports can change your world and help others along the way. It’s not just about medals, but dignity and achievement," Edmond adds.

From amputee football to powerlifting, Ghana’s para-athletes are rising. All they ask is that the nation rise with them—with support, structure, and visibility.

Because beyond the missing limbs is something whole: heart.

And heart is what builds champions.