The Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has lauded the efforts of Accra-based Candance Academy, describing its work in promoting self-defence and personal safety as “remarkable.” He made the commendation at the launch of the third season of the “Safety-For-All Campaign” held at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Mr. Ampofo Ankrah expressed his utmost respect for the academy’s founder, Hannah Humphrey, praising her unwavering dedication. “Her dedication and perseverance is unbelievable. I have utmost respect for Candance Academy,” he stated.
The NSA Director-General also endorsed a new instructional book unveiled at the event, titled “Taekwondo For Us”, authored by Ms. Humphrey. He highlighted the book’s accessibility and practical value. “The book is written for easy understanding. It makes self-defence an art, not a duty. I will recommend it to parents, schools and institutions to help individuals protect themselves when the need arises,” he added.
The event marked the official launch of the campaign’s third season, which aims to reach 3,000 students across 10 schools in underserved communities this academic term. Patrons were treated to an impressive self-defence demonstration by learners, showcasing the skills acquired through the programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Humphrey underscored the core philosophy behind the initiative. “Children may not always be able to control their environment, but they can be taught to understand it, navigate it, and protect themselves within it. That is the heart of the Safety-For-All Campaign,” she said.
She used the platform to call on individuals and corporate organisations to support the initiative through partnerships, sponsorships, and technical expertise to help expand its reach.
Founded in 2019 by the award-winning national taekwondo athlete, Candance Academy has empowered children and institutions with martial arts skills. Ms. Humphrey, a multiple national gold medallist who represented Ghana at the 2011 African Games, drew inspiration for the campaign from the tragic kidnapping and murder of several girls in Takoradi in 2018.
With support from instructors at the World Taekwondo Academy in Seoul, the initiative has grown from a small three-day training programme into a nationwide campaign. It trained over 1,000 students by the end of Season Two in 2023.
The programme’s impact has earned recognition from the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), which honoured the initiative with an Award for Dedication and Valour in February 2025. Organisers remain confident that the third season will further deepen its impact, inspire young people, and strengthen safety awareness across communities in Ghana.
