LARTEY Otu secures third term as GTF President with decisive victory at elective congress

Frederick Lartey Otu has been re-elected as President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) for a third term, polling 16 out of 27 votes at Saturday’s Elective Congress in Accra.

The incumbent defeated challenger Charles Tsibo Cromwell in what was described as one of the keenest elections in the federation’s history.

Vice Presidential Race

In the contest for Vice President, Maxwell Theodore Alornyo emerged victorious with 14 votes. He defeated Hamidu Abdel-Fatao, who polled 10 votes, and Martin Prince Oppan, who secured 3 votes.

Board Members Elected

Two board members were elected to join the federation’s executive. Kankpenuba Peter N. Wisdom and Simon Koku Gluikpor both secured 16 votes each to claim the two available slots. They defeated Terrance Asare (10 votes) and Stephen Amegashie (12 votes).

A Leader with International Stature

Lartey Otu, a senior Customs officer with the Ghana Revenue Authority, brings over two decades of experience in taekwondo administration. He holds a 7th Dan Black Belt and serves as Second Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, a Council Member of the African Taekwondo Union, and a Council Member of the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union. He also chairs the AFTU Development Committee and sits on the World Taekwondo Development Committee.

A Legacy of Growth

Under his leadership over the past eight years, Ghana has pioneered Para Taekwondo, hosted international events, and achieved success in international competitions.

Speaking ahead of the congress, Lartey Otu said: “I welcome the challenge posed by my fellow contestant. At the end of the day, it is the delegates that would decide who leads the federation. I believe I am a better candidate and I would therefore appeal to the delegates to vote for me.”

A Landmark Election

The election was overseen by independent Vetting and Elections Committees inaugurated by the Ghana Olympic Committee – the first time the GOC has actively deployed its dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve a federation impasse.

With his re-election secured, Lartey Otu now turns his focus to expanding grassroots development, strengthening regional structures, and deepening partnerships to secure more resources for Ghana’s taekwondo athletes.