Gold Coast 2018: Ghanaian Weightlifter Ruth Baffoe Absconds

Ghanaian weightlifter, Ruth Baffoe, has failed to return to the country with Ghana’s contingent following the completion of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, Citi Sports checks have confirmed.

It brings to three, the number of Ghanaians confirmed to have absconded in Australia after the games.

Two badminton players, Ruth Mensah and Stella Amasah have also failed to come back to Ghana after the games.

The last batch of athletes from the games arrived in the country on Friday without the trio.

The 23-year-old Ghana Immigration Officer, Ruth Baffoe, finished 10^th in the women’s weightlifting competition in Australia. She lifted a total 165 kg in the snatch and clean & jerk events.

She also previously represented Ghana at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and 2016 All Africa Games in Brazzaville.

This is regardless of the fact that Ghana is already dealing with a visa scandal that saw the deportation of over 60 Ghanaians who were part of the delegation to Australia to witness the games.

The Ghanaians believed to have travelled as journalists were found out by the Australian authorities and deported. This has led to the suspension of Ghana’s Deputy Minister and two other officials, as investigations continue into the matter.

Commonwealth Games: 8 Cameroon athletes ‘missing’ from camp

On April 11, 2018, the BBC also reported that eight Cameroonian athletes had gone missing from their accommodation at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

The three weightlifters and five boxers were last seen at different times on Monday and Tuesday. Cameroon said the group had valid Australian visas until 15 May. The Australian government has warned athletes against overstaying their visas. These incidents have been recorded in times past as athletes seek better lives in these host countries.

In 2012, seven Cameroonian athletes disappeared while in London for the Olympics.