He has been the heartbeat of Ghana Taekwondo for over a decade, and now Frederick Otu Lartey is making a compelling case for continuity. On the eve of the GTF Elective Congress, the visionary president has opened up about his ambitious blueprint for the sport—a comprehensive strategy anchored in grassroots development aimed at spreading taekwondo to every corner of the nation.
Mr. Otu Lartey made this known in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic, revealing that his decision to seek a third term is not driven by personal ambition but by the overwhelming calls from the regions to consolidate the gains made under his stewardship.
The Retreat That Shaped the Vision
“I want to ensure that the current ten regions are available to develop to represent the nation in international competitions,” Mr. Otu Lartey stated, referencing the landmark Leadership Retreat held at the Plus 33 Hotel in Sakumono from April 10 to 11 .
The retreat, which brought together the Executive Board, Regional Association Chairpersons, and key stakeholders including National Sports Authority (NSA) Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah and Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President Richard Akpokavie, served as the launchpad for his re-election manifesto .
It was during this retreat that a petition signed by 15 top officials—comprising national board members and regional chiefs—was presented to the president, appealing to him to rescind his earlier decision to step down after his second term .
A Constitution That Permits Continuity
Addressing concerns about a third term, Mr. Otu Lartey insisted that he operates strictly within the framework of the federation’s constitution.
“The constitution does not bar me from contesting,” he affirmed. “I told the executive members I want to contest, and the constitution permits a president to contest for a further term in office in accordance with its provisions on tenure and re-election” .
Kankpenuba Peter Nuntaa Wisdom, a National Board Member who championed the petition, argued that Mr. Otu Lartey’s first term was burdened by legal disputes that hindered full implementation of his vision, making the second term the true period of fruition . “At this critical stage, there is no better or more experienced person to consolidate these gains,” Mr. Wisdom noted .
The Grassroots Blueprint
Central to Mr. Otu Lartey’s vision is a nationwide expansion programme that will take the sport to every regional association.
“First of all, GTF will start with awareness programs in all the regions, including the Volta Region,” he explained. “We will create awareness in the regions and recruit development coaches. Stakeholders were invited for awareness.”
This aggressive grassroots push is part of the broader Development of National Sports Systems (DNSS) programme already in motion . The GTF 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 .
A Legacy of International Impact
Mr. Otu Lartey’s credentials extend far beyond the borders of Ghana. He holds several prestigious international positions, including World Taekwondo (WT) 1st Class International Referee—a title he attained as the first Ghanaian in 2017 after first receiving his P Class licence in 1999 . He serves as WT Technical Delegate, Council Member of the African Taekwondo Union, Chairman of the African Taekwondo Union Development Committee, and Council Member of the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union .
“I have been an international referee since 1999,” Mr. Otu Lartey recounted. “I have served at the African Taekwondo Championships, African Youth Games, All African Games, World Taekwondo Championships, Youth Olympic Games, World Taekwondo Grand Prix, and Olympic Games Taekwondo qualification tournaments” .
His lobbying efforts bore significant fruit when he successfully advocated for the inclusion of poomse in the African Games, broadening the scope of competition for Ghanaian athletes.
Pioneer of Para-Taekwondo
Perhaps his most significant achievement has been the introduction and development of para-taekwondo in Ghana. Under his leadership, the Ghana National Para Taekwondo team has participated in at least seven international championships since 2015, with funding sourced from World Taekwondo and the GTF Executive Board .
The results have been historic. Ghana won its first World Championship medal, participated in its first Grand Prix, and for the first time in the nation’s history, will compete in taekwondo at the Paralympic Games—with Patricia Kyeremaa securing a wild card for Paris 2024 .
Mr. Otu Lartey also led Ghana para-taekwondo to secure a third-place finish in continental competitions and won a World Korea Ambassador’s Championship gold medal in South Korea . He has served as Chef De Mission for Team Ghana to the African Para Games and holds the position of Vice Chairman of the World Taekwondo Africa (WTAF) Para-Taekwondo Committee .
Institutional Development and Succession Planning
Beyond international accolades, Mr. Otu Lartey has focused on building sustainable structures. He has instituted a coaches and referees license course to ensure professional development for technical officials . He has also championed constitutional reforms to integrate regional associations into decision-making processes, fostering inclusivity and good governance .
He is also the 2nd Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, a position to which he was re-elected unopposed in April 2025 .
In a revealing moment, Mr. Otu Lartey disclosed that he had asked Vice President Charles Cromwell—who is not always in Ghana but often resides in Italy—to understudy him in preparation for future leadership. “I was ok with him contesting for the presidency,” Mr. Otu Lartey said. However, the vice president reportedly refused the offer, insisting on contesting the presidency in his own right.
Despite this, Mr. Otu Lartey maintains that grooming a successor remains a priority. “To enable a good succession plan,” he noted, “we must ensure continuity while preparing the next generation of leaders.”
He also highlighted the case of Henrietta Armah, a promising female athlete currently preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games in Germany, as a testament to the federation’s investment in elite development .
Self-Sponsorship and Sacrifice
Perhaps what endears him most to stakeholders is his personal sacrifice. Mr. Otu Lartey, who serves as a Senior Customs Officer of the Ghana Revenue Authority, has consistently self-sponsored many retreats and events to keep the sport alive .
Board member Mr. Kankpenuba confirmed this, stating, “Over the years, Mr Otu has demonstrated visionary leadership, resilience, and personal sacrifice in advancing taekwondo in Ghana” .
The Road Ahead
With 29 delegates set to vote—comprising a nine-member board and two delegates from each of the ten regions—the road to re-election is clear . The congress is expected to usher in a new phase of leadership for the federation .
“For 53 years, I have been involved in this sport. More than 200 nations are doing taekwondo today, and Ghana cannot afford to be left behind,” Mr. Otu Lartey declared passionately. “My vision is grassroot development based on the retreat of the 10th and 11th of April. I want to ensure that the current ten regions are available to develop to represent the nation in international competitions.”
Whether the delegates will grant him the mandate for a historic third term remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Frederick Otu Lartey’s impact on Ghana taekwondo is indelible, and his vision for the future is as ambitious as ever.
Otu Lartey: The Grassroots Crusader Eyeing Historic Third Term
GTF President Pledges Nationwide Revolution as Delegates Prepare for Elective Congress
He has been the heartbeat of Ghana Taekwondo for over a decade, and now Frederick Otu Lartey is making a compelling case for continuity. On the eve of the GTF Elective Congress, the visionary president has opened up about his ambitious blueprint for the sport—a comprehensive strategy anchored in grassroots development aimed at spreading taekwondo to every corner of the nation.
Mr. Otu Lartey made this known in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic, revealing that his decision to seek a third term is not driven by personal ambition but by the overwhelming calls from the regions to consolidate the gains made under his stewardship.
The Retreat That Shaped the Vision
“I want to ensure that the current ten regions are available to develop to represent the nation in international competitions,” Mr. Otu Lartey stated, referencing the landmark Leadership Retreat held at the Plus 33 Hotel in Sakumono from April 10 to 11 .
The retreat, which brought together the Executive Board, Regional Association Chairpersons, and key stakeholders including National Sports Authority (NSA) Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah and Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President Richard Akpokavie, served as the launchpad for his re-election manifesto .
It was during this retreat that a petition signed by 15 top officials—comprising national board members and regional chiefs—was presented to the president, appealing to him to rescind his earlier decision to step down after his second term .
A Constitution That Permits Continuity
Addressing concerns about a third term, Mr. Otu Lartey insisted that he operates strictly within the framework of the federation’s constitution.
“The constitution does not bar me from contesting,” he affirmed. “I told the executive members I want to contest, and the constitution permits a president to contest for a further term in office in accordance with its provisions on tenure and re-election” .
Kankpenuba Peter Nuntaa Wisdom, a National Board Member who championed the petition, argued that Mr. Otu Lartey’s first term was burdened by legal disputes that hindered full implementation of his vision, making the second term the true period of fruition . “At this critical stage, there is no better or more experienced person to consolidate these gains,” Mr. Wisdom noted .
The Grassroots Blueprint
Central to Mr. Otu Lartey’s vision is a nationwide expansion programme that will take the sport to every regional association.
“First of all, GTF will start with awareness programs in all the regions, including the Volta Region,” he explained. “We will create awareness in the regions and recruit development coaches. Stakeholders were invited for awareness.”
This aggressive grassroots push is part of the broader Development of National Sports Systems (DNSS) programme already in motion . The GTF 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 .
A Legacy of International Impact
Mr. Otu Lartey’s credentials extend far beyond the borders of Ghana. He holds several prestigious international positions, including World Taekwondo (WT) 1st Class International Referee—a title he attained as the first Ghanaian in 2017 after first receiving his P Class licence in 1999 . He serves as WT Technical Delegate, Council Member of the African Taekwondo Union, Chairman of the African Taekwondo Union Development Committee, and Council Member of the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union .
“I have been an international referee since 1999,” Mr. Otu Lartey recounted. “I have served at the African Taekwondo Championships, African Youth Games, All African Games, World Taekwondo Championships, Youth Olympic Games, World Taekwondo Grand Prix, and Olympic Games Taekwondo qualification tournaments” .
His lobbying efforts bore significant fruit when he successfully advocated for the inclusion of poomse in the African Games, broadening the scope of competition for Ghanaian athletes.
Pioneer of Para-Taekwondo
Perhaps his most significant achievement has been the introduction and development of para-taekwondo in Ghana. Under his leadership, the Ghana National Para Taekwondo team has participated in at least seven international championships since 2015, with funding sourced from World Taekwondo and the GTF Executive Board .
The results have been historic. Ghana won its first World Championship medal, participated in its first Grand Prix, and for the first time in the nation’s history, will compete in taekwondo at the Paralympic Games—with Patricia Kyeremaa securing a wild card for Paris 2024 .
Mr. Otu Lartey also led Ghana para-taekwondo to secure a third-place finish in continental competitions and won a World Korea Ambassador’s Championship gold medal in South Korea . He has served as Chef De Mission for Team Ghana to the African Para Games and holds the position of Vice Chairman of the World Taekwondo Africa (WTAF) Para-Taekwondo Committee .
Institutional Development and Succession Planning
Beyond international accolades, Mr. Otu Lartey has focused on building sustainable structures. He has instituted a coaches and referees license course to ensure professional development for technical officials . He has also championed constitutional reforms to integrate regional associations into decision-making processes, fostering inclusivity and good governance .
He is also the 2nd Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, a position to which he was re-elected unopposed in April 2025 .
In a revealing moment, Mr. Otu Lartey disclosed that he had asked Vice President Charles Cromwell—who is not always in Ghana but often resides in Italy—to understudy him in preparation for future leadership. “I was ok with him contesting for the presidency,” Mr. Otu Lartey said. However, the vice president reportedly refused the offer, insisting on contesting the presidency in his own right.
Despite this, Mr. Otu Lartey maintains that grooming a successor remains a priority. “To enable a good succession plan,” he noted, “we must ensure continuity while preparing the next generation of leaders.”
He also highlighted the case of Henrietta Armah, a promising female athlete currently preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games in Germany, as a testament to the federation’s investment in elite development .
Self-Sponsorship and Sacrifice
Perhaps what endears him most to stakeholders is his personal sacrifice. Mr. Otu Lartey, who serves as a Senior Customs Officer of the Ghana Revenue Authority, has consistently self-sponsored many retreats and events to keep the sport alive .
Board member Mr. Kankpenuba confirmed this, stating, “Over the years, Mr Otu has demonstrated visionary leadership, resilience, and personal sacrifice in advancing taekwondo in Ghana” .
The Road Ahead
With 29 delegates set to vote—comprising a nine-member board and two delegates from each of the ten regions—the road to re-election is clear . The congress is expected to usher in a new phase of leadership for the federation .
“For 53 years, I have been involved in this sport. More than 200 nations are doing taekwondo today, and Ghana cannot afford to be left behind,” Mr. Otu Lartey declared passionately. “My vision is grassroot development based on the retreat of the 10th and 11th of April. I want to ensure that the current ten regions are available to develop to represent the nation in international competitions.”
Whether the delegates will grant him the mandate for a historic third term remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Frederick Otu Lartey’s impact on Ghana taekwondo is indelible, and his vision for the future is as ambitious as ever.
