GTF heads to the polls on July 18 as LARTEY Otu seeks historic third term

All eyes will be on the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, July 18, 2026, as the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) holds its Elective Congress to elect a new executive board to steer the sport for the next four years. The polls are scheduled to commence at 10:00 am prompt, with delegates from across the country gathering to decide the federation’s future leadership.

At the centre of the election is incumbent President Frederick Lartey Otu, who is seeking a historic third term in office. His bid has, however, been a subject of debate within the taekwondo fraternity. In a recent interview, Mr. Lartey Otu appealed for peace and stability, urging members to desist from acts that could disrupt the unity of the federation. He clarified that his third-term ambition is not in violation of the GTF constitution, which is aligned with World Taekwondo regulations.

“It is true I am going for a third term, but that is not in violation of the rules. The aim is to sustain the gains we have chalked and build upon it,” he stated. His decision to contest again came after a petition signed by 15 top officials, including national board members and regional chairpersons, urged him to rescind an earlier decision to step down.

Challenging Mr. Lartey Otu for the presidency is Charles Tsibo Cromwell, the incumbent Vice President, setting up a keenly contested race for the federation’s top job.

Vice Presidential and Board Member Contests

The race for the Vice Presidency features three candidates from across the country: Hamidu Abdel-Fatao (Volta Region), Martin Prince Oppan (Western Region), and Maxwell Theodore Alornyo (Accra). Interestingly, Mr. Alornyo is running as part of the “Team Otu” ticket, which recently unveiled its four-man campaign team under the slogan “Together, We Deliver”.

For the two available Executive Board Member positions, four candidates are vying for slots: Kankpenuba Peter N. Wisdom (Upper West Region), Simon Koku Gluikpor (Ashanti Region), Terrance Asare (Accra), and Stephen Amegashie (Accra).

Delegates and the Western Region Absence

The electoral college comprises delegates from the GTF’s member regional associations. However, in a significant development, the Western Region will have no representation at the congress due to the late submission of its delegate list, which was received on July 8. The full list of accredited delegates includes representatives from the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Central, Ashanti, Eastern, Bono, Greater Accra, and Volta Regions.

GOC Intervention to Ensure Credible Elections

In a landmark move to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has inaugurated an independent Vetting Committee and an Elections Committee to oversee the congress. This intervention is being hailed as a vital step to resolve internal administrative gridlocks that have threatened the progress of the sport.

The GOC’s leadership, led by President Mr. Richard Akpokavie, has stepped in to manage the electoral process “in-house,” utilizing its arbitration channels to provide a neutral and constitutionally sound roadmap. The committees have been tasked with ensuring absolute neutrality, transparency, and strict adherence to the governing statutes of both the GTF and World Taekwondo.

A Pivotal Moment for Ghana Taekwondo

The July 18 congress represents a pivotal moment for Ghana Taekwondo. Incumbent President Lartey Otu has outlined an ambitious agenda focused on developing athletes, empowering coaches, strengthening referees, and growing clubs across the country. As the federation prepares to elect its next leadership, the outcome of this election will determine the direction of the sport in Ghana for years to come.

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