The course in Winneba featured 35 instructors from 10 different regions of the West African nation, with all now seeking to boost general fitness standards among all strands of the country's 25 million-strong population.

It formed part of the GOC's continuing efforts to produce certified coaches and trainers, with it hoped this will help boost standards in an elite as well as a general sense, as Ghana seeks to improve upon the two bronze medals - won in boxing and judo - at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

After four medal-less Summer Games, Ghana will also be seeking a first Olympic medal in 24 years at Rio 2016, with the last one being a bronze won by the men's football team at Barcelona 1992.

Keep fit instructors recognised by the Ghana Olympic Committee ©GOC



Earlier this month, 17 Level One Coaches Education Certificates were awarded by the GOC to budding trainers who had completed an 11-day training programme, with the coaches now tasked with supporting the GOC's drive to discover and groom future talents.

When presenting the certificates, GOC President Francis Dodoo said the future of Ghanaian athletics could be secured if the nation continued to produce more certified athletics coaches.

"The GOC and GAA (Ghana Athletics Association) will continue to create opportunities for coaches to be trained because it is a much bigger bottleneck than the lack of athletics facilities," he pledged.

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