Ghana’s colours and African voices join the Paris 2024 opening celebration
The IPC’s ceremony report records Ghana’s traditional dress, South African anticipation and Eritrea’s Paralympic debut.
Ghana’s delegation brought traditional handwoven clothing to the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, with Tahiru Haruna and Zinabu Issah carrying the flag, according to the IPC’s report published on 28 August 2024.
Culture on the world stage
The parade moved through the Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde. Ghana’s chef de mission, Henry Kwaku Nyanteh Lorbi, explained that the delegation’s different fabrics and colours expressed individual stories within a shared national presentation.
The IPC also spoke to South African flagbearer Mpumelelo Mhlongo about the importance of spectators and the welcome awaiting athletes. The ceremony preceded Eritrea’s first Paralympic appearance, one of three NPC debuts identified in the report.
These African contributions formed part of a wider celebration of sport, culture and inclusion. The account captured the anticipation before competition began; it is preserved here as an opening-night report rather than a summary of the final medal results.