Frederick Lartey Otu has been re-elected President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), securing a third term at the helm of the sport after polling 16 of the 27 votes cast at the federation’s 2026 elective congress. He fended off a challenge from his former deputy, Charles Tsibo Cromwell, who garnered 11 votes.
A senior Customs officer with the Ghana Revenue Authority and a 7th Dan Black Belt holder, Lartey Otu brings more than two decades of experience in taekwondo administration to the role.
He also serves as Second Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, sits on the Council of the African Taekwondo Union and the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union, chairs the AFTU Development Committee, and is a member of the World Taekwondo Development Committee.
Beyond the outcome itself, the congress marked a significant governance achievement for the sport in Ghana. The election was overseen by independent Vetting and Elections Committees inaugurated by the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC)
The congress also produced a new Vice President in Maxwell Theodore Alornyo, who defeated Hamidu Abdel-Fatao and Martin Prince Oppan for the position, polling 14 votes to Abdel-Fatao’s 10 and Oppan’s 3.
Kankpenuba Peter N. Wisdom and Simon Koku Gluikpor were both elected to the Board, each securing 16 votes, ahead of Stephen Amegashie, who polled 12, and Terrance Asare, who polled 10.
In his victory address, the re-elected president made a passionate appeal to the media to support the growth of taekwondo in the country through fair and factual reportage.
To the media, I want to urge you to report exactly what happened. Don’t exaggerate for us, and don’t hit below the belt.” Frederick Lartey Otu, GTF President
Sometimes you go overboard. We are pleading with you. This is a family of integrity. Report our activities accurately and in line with what we do,” he said.
Lartey Otu also commended his opponent for the courage to contest, describing the election as a win for democracy within the federation.
To my former Vice President and contestant for the President position, I want to say ayekoo. It is not easy. Not everyone has the confidence to step forward and say, ‘I want to contest my President.’ He has done well as a former Vice President, and our democracy will embrace that. Going forward, we will work together as a team,” he said.
For his part, Cromwell struck a conciliatory tone in defeat.
I feel the day was good. People came in to support, but in any elections there is someone who has to win and who has to lose. I accept the result in good faith. This is a sport. We all want our sport to grow. So, congratulations, Mr. President, and we would also stay behind to support all the others,” he said.
Asked about the future of the federation, Cromwell struck an optimistic note.
I feel that the future is going to be bright, since we’re all going to work hand in hand. I lose today, but that doesn’t mean I’m out of the sport. Contributions will be made towards the growth of the sport,” he said, adding a word of encouragement for athletes: “They should keep training and stay focused. Once they do their best, the administration is also going to do their best for them.”
With his re-election secured, Lartey Otu now turns his attention to the federation’s next phase of development. He has indicated plans to expand grassroots programmes, strengthen regional structures across the country, and deepen partnerships aimed at securing more resources for Ghana’s taekwondo athletes.
The re-election cements Lartey Otu’s position as one of the most internationally connected administrators in Ghanaian sport, and sets the stage for the federation to pursue an ambitious development agenda through its new four-year term.
