Sam Bugri

Before becoming a noted healthcare professional Sam Bugri represented Ghana in track and field athletics at the Olympics. Bugri’s first appearance the Games came in 1964 in Tokyo where he was part of the quartet that ran in the 4 × 400 metres relay. Four years later he ran in the 400 metres where he reached the semi-finals, narrowly missing out on the final when he came fifth in his heat. His third and final Olympics were the 1972 München Games, where he got to the quarter-finals of the 400 metres. In addition to running on the track, Bugri had the honour of being the flagbearer for Ghana at the Opening Ceremony.

Following his athletics career Bugri turned his hand to healthcare where he became involved in the programme to eradicate Guinea worm disease. In the 1980s he worked as a regional director in the north of the country, documenting cases of the disease for the World Health Organisation. Bugri earned medical degrees in both Sarajevo and London, overseeing programmes with multiple international organisations including United States Agency for International Development and UNICEF. By 1993 Ghana’s Ministry of Health had promoted Bugri to lead their epidemiology division to continue with his work.

Personal Best: 400 – 45.88 (1968).