Kankpenuba: Frederick Lartey Otu deserves third term as GTF President

Hon. Kankpenuba Peter Nuntaa Wisdom, the Upper West Regional Coach, Upper West Regional Chairman, and a National Board Member of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), has thrown his full weight behind incumbent President Frederick Lartey Otu for a historic third term.

In an exclusive interview with AfroAsia Media Online, Hon. Kankpenuba made a passionate and detailed case for why the veteran administrator must be given the chance to complete the transformation he has begun.

“Mr. Otu is the best person to lead this Federation to the promised future we all envision,” he declared, pointing to an unprecedented run of achievements and the need for continuity.

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A pedigree of excellence

Mr. Frederick Lartey Otu is no ordinary sports administrator. A 7th Dan Black Belt with more than four decades of involvement in Taekwondo, he is one of Ghana’s most decorated practitioners and officials. He serves as a World Taekwondo (WT) First Class International Referee and a WT Technical Delegate.

Beyond the federation, Otu holds the position of 2nd Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), is a Council Member of both the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU) and the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union (CTU), and previously served on the World Taekwondo Development Committee. By profession, he is the Chief Revenue Officer of the Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division).

Transformational achievements

Since assuming office in 2013, Otu has overseen what many describe as the most successful period in Ghana Taekwondo history.

Under his stewardship, Ghana produced its first-ever Paralympian in Taekwondo for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The country also won its first medal at the World Para Taekwondo Championships and secured its first Gold Medal at the World Korean Ambassador’s Championship. At the 13th African Games hosted by Ghana, Taekwondo was the only martial arts sport to win medals for the country.

Otu has prioritised technical development, introducing National Coaches Licence Courses and National Referees Licence Courses while creating pathways for international certification. He has also secured an IOC scholarship for elite athlete development toward LA 2028.

Perhaps most significantly, he pioneered the introduction and growth of Para Taekwondo in Ghana — an initiative that has yielded international participation and medals.

On the governance front, Otu has championed constitutional amendments that increased regional participation in Federation affairs, strengthening inclusivity across all ten regions. His recent Leadership Retreat brought together the executive board, regional association chairpersons, and key stakeholders including the National Sports Authority and GOC leadership to chart a unified path forward.

The case for continuity – from Kankpenuba’s perspective

According to Hon. Kankpenuba, the argument for a third term rests on several pillars.

First, the issue of timing. Otu’s first term, he notes, was heavily burdened by legal disputes and structural challenges that hindered full implementation of his vision. “Now, in his second term, the Federation is beginning to witness the true fruits of his leadership, with stability, growth, and international recognition steadily improving,” Hon. Kankpenuba stated.

Second, the value of continuity. Several initiatives — including regional development, coach education, and international partnerships — are long-term projects that require sustained leadership to bear full fruit.

Third, the absence of a viable alternative. “In my considered view, there is currently no perfect replacement capable of sustaining the momentum he has built,” Hon. Kankpenuba emphasised.

Fourth, international influence. Otu’s leadership roles within World Taekwondo, the African Taekwondo Union, the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union, and the GOC give Ghana a powerful voice in international Taekwondo circles — a position that attracts technical expertise, development programmes, and opportunities for Ghanaian athletes.

An ambitious agenda for the future

Otu himself has outlined a comprehensive grassroots development agenda should he secure a third term. Central to his vision is a nationwide awareness campaign to introduce Taekwondo to underserved communities, including the Volta Region. The federation has already commenced a National Licence Coaching Course to train 40 unlicensed coaches from all ten regional associations.

He has also targeted private schools as a hub of untapped talent, and Ghana is set to host a World Taekwondo Coaching Course — a significant boost for technical capacity.

Grooming a successor

Acknowledging that Otu may not personally be interested in extending his tenure, Hon. Kankpenuba argued that a third term would also provide the opportunity to groom a successor for a smooth and sustainable transition.

“Even though Frederick Lartey Otu may not be showing personal interest in contesting again, I strongly believe he remains the best person to lead the Federation to the promised future we all envision,” he concluded.

As the GTF elective congress approaches, the debate over leadership succession will intensify. But for Hon. Kankpenuba and the 15 top officials who have endorsed Otu’s candidacy, the choice is clear: experience, results, and continuity make Frederick Lartey Otu the man for the moment.

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