The President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, has unveiled plans to launch the largest-ever kids taekwondo development project in the country, as part of an ambitious grassroots agenda aimed at transforming the sport from the ground up.
Mr Otu disclosed this when he led a high-powered GTF Executive Board delegation to engage the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Mr Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, on the sidelines of the federation’s two-day leadership retreat held at the Plus 33 Hotel in Sakumono, Greater Accra Region.
The retreat, which took place from April 10 to 11, brought together the executive board, regional association chairpersons, and key stakeholders to deliberate on the progress and future of taekwondo in Ghana.
The GTF President was accompanied by a distinguished delegation of board members, including Vice President Mr Maxwell Theodore Alornyo, Secretary General Mr Kankpenuba P. N. Wisdom, Technical Director Mr Simon Gluikpor—a seasoned martial arts tactician and international referee recently appointed to the technical helm of the sport—and Executive Board Member Ms Hannah Akua Humphrey, who brings a strong background in sports administration and grassroots advocacy.
The NSA Director General received the delegation alongside the Authority’s Human Resource Manager, Mr Ignatius Elletey, the Chief Accountant, and other senior officials.
Grassroots Revolution
Central to the discussions was Mr Otu’s vision to take taekwondo to every corner of the country.
The GTF President informed the NSA boss about his comprehensive plans to develop grassroots taekwondo, with a particular focus on launching the largest kids taekwondo project ever undertaken in Ghana.
The initiative forms part of a broader nationwide awareness campaign that will introduce taekwondo to communities that have long been underserved by the sport.
The federation has already commenced a National Licence Coaching Course aimed at training 40 unlicensed coaches from the 10 member regional associations to impart knowledge down to the club level.
Strategic Alignment
The retreat, which attracted members of the GTF Executive Board led by Mr Otu, as well as chairpersons and representatives of member regional associations, sought to help members understand the role of the NSA and how a registered federation can better align with its guidelines and expectations.
It also aimed to clarify the role of sports federations vis-à-vis the four-year development plan of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), strengthen leadership capacity, and build stronger relationships.
Mr Otu described 2025 as a significant year for the GTF, which positioned the federation for greater success, citing the award of a prestigious scholarship to Henrietta Ayeley Amarh, one of the GTF’s promising female athletes.
He stated that the federation was prepared to meet the challenges of 2026 with energy and purpose.
International Ambitions
The GTF, he revealed, would organise a series of events including a National Coach Licence Course, a World Taekwondo International Coach Licence Course, a National Referee Course, a major national tournament, and a major international tournament to showcase Ghana’s elite athletes and raise the profile of Ghana Taekwondo.
To strengthen leadership and accountability, the federation would also conduct executive board elections at the 2026 congress to elect a new leadership team to guide Ghana Taekwondo into its next development phase.
Mr Otu urged members to approach the process with unity and fairness, reminding them that the ultimate goal was not personal ambition, but the growth of taekwondo in Ghana.
Commitment to Athlete Welfare
Addressing participants, GOC President Mr Richard Akpokavie commended the GTF for the initiative, noting that it brings members of the fraternity together to deliberate on the progress and future of the sport.
He urged participants to make the welfare of athletes a priority, stressing that “if there are no taekwondo players, what would you be doing?”
The engagement between the GTF leadership and the NSA is expected to deepen cooperation in areas including athlete development, technical advancement, grassroots programmes, and preparations for major international competitions.
