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As the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) prepares to elect its next leadership, many stakeholders within the sport believe the federation’s current President and Council Member of the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union (CTU), Frederick Lartey Otu, has earned another term through his remarkable achievements and transformative leadership over the years.
Since assuming office, Otu has overseen one of the most successful periods in the history of Ghana Taekwondo, introducing groundbreaking initiatives and steering the federation to historic achievements on both the local scene and global stages.
One of his most significant achievements has been the introduction and development of Para Taekwondo in Ghana.
The initiative quickly yielded impressive results, with Ghana winning a bronze medal at the World Para Taekwondo Championships in 2015, marking a major breakthrough for the country in the sport.
Under his administration, Ghana’s Para Taekwondo programme continued to flourish. In 2021, Ghana emerged as the third-best country in Africa at the African Para Taekwondo Championships held in Niger.
The country’s achievements were further recognised when Ghana’s coach was adjudged the Best Female Coach, affirming the quality of technical development under Otu’s leadership.
Perhaps the most historic achievement of his tenure came when Ghana qualified for the Paralympic Games for the very first time.
Patricia Kyeremeh secured qualification to the Paris Paralympic Games, a feat that many consider one of the defining moments in Ghana’s Taekwondo history.
Frederick Lartey Otu’s era has also been marked by unprecedented success in mainstream Taekwondo.
It was during his administration that Ghana won its first-ever gold medal at a World Championship-level event in Korea. Henrietta, then a student at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), emerged victorious at the Korea Ambassador’s Cup after competing against top athletes selected from various countries.
Her triumph etched Ghana’s name in the history books and remains one of the federation’s proudest moments.
Henrietta’s success story did not end there. Her outstanding performances earned her a scholarship opportunity facilitated by the Ghana Olympic Committee, allowing her to continue her academic and sporting journey in Germany, pathways created for athletes under Otu’s administration.
Beyond medals and competitions, Otu has focused on institutional reforms and capacity building. From the day he assumed office, he prioritised the training and licensing of coaches and referees, establishing structured certification programmes to ensure professionalism and adherence to international standards.
Today, Ghana boasts a growing number of licensed coaches and referees, a legacy that will continue to benefit the sport for generations to come.
With historic medals, Paralympic qualification, athlete development opportunities, and institutional reforms to his credit, Frederick Lartey Otu’s achievements speak for themselves.
As the federation looks to the future, many believe continuity under his leadership could help consolidate these gains and propel Ghana Taekwondo to even greater heights.