Upper West Regional Chairman of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), Kankpenuba Peter Nuntaa Wisdom, has urged delegates to retain incumbent President Frederick Lartey Otu for another term, citing his experience, international influence and record of achievements in the sport.
Kankpenuba, who is also the Upper West Regional Coach and a member of the federation’s board, said Otu remained the most qualified candidate to lead Ghana taekwondo as the federation prepares for its elective congress.
“His experience, international connections and achievements within the sport make him the best person to continue leading the federation,” Kankpenuba said.
Otu, a 7th Dan Black Belt holder, has spent more than 40 years in taekwondo and currently serves as a World Taekwondo (WT) First Class International Referee and Technical Delegate.
He is also the second vice-president of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and holds positions on the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU) and Commonwealth Taekwondo Union (CTU).
Since taking office in 2013, Otu has overseen a period of growth for the sport in Ghana. During his tenure, Ghana qualified its first taekwondo athlete for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and won its first medal at the World Para Taekwondo Championships.
The country also secured its first gold medal at the World Korean Ambassador’s Championship, while taekwondo emerged as Ghana’s most successful martial arts discipline at the 2023 African Games, winning multiple medals.
Kankpenuba said Otu’s administration had prioritised technical development through the introduction of national coaching and refereeing licence programmes, while expanding opportunities for international certification.
He also credited Otu with spearheading the development of para taekwondo in Ghana, an initiative that has produced international participation and medal-winning performances.
On governance, Otu led constitutional reforms aimed at increasing regional representation in federation activities, while a recent leadership retreat brought together officials, regional representatives and key sports stakeholders to discuss the sport’s future direction.
According to Kankpenuba, continuity is needed to sustain ongoing programmes, including grassroots development, coach education and international partnerships.
He argued that Otu’s first term was affected by legal and structural challenges that limited the implementation of some initiatives, while recent years had provided greater stability and visible progress.
“Now the federation is beginning to see the real impact of his leadership through improved stability, growth and international recognition,” he said.
Kankpenuba also pointed to Otu’s positions within international taekwondo bodies and the Ghana Olympic Committee, saying they had strengthened Ghana’s influence and created opportunities for athletes, coaches and officials.
If re-elected, Otu has outlined plans to expand grassroots participation through nationwide awareness programmes and coaching development initiatives.
The federation has already begun a national coaching licence course intended to train 40 previously unlicensed coaches across the country’s regional associations. Ghana is also expected to host a World Taekwondo coaching course aimed at improving technical standards.
Kankpenuba said a further term would allow Otu to consolidate ongoing projects and prepare a successor to ensure a smooth leadership transition in the future.
“Even though he may not be actively seeking another term, I believe he remains the best person to lead the federation forward and achieve its long-term goals,” he said.
The GTF elective congress is expected to intensify debate over the federation’s future leadership, with supporters of the incumbent arguing that continuity and experience remain key factors in the sport’s continued development.