Frederick Lartey Otu ee-elected Ghana Taekwondo President at 2026 Elective Congress
Incumbent President Frederick Lartey Otu has secured another term as President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation after emerging victorious in the federation's 2026 Elective Congress held at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, July 18.
The election, described as peaceful but keenly contested, saw Otu defeat challenger Charles Tsibo Cromwell by 16 votes to 11, earning the mandate of the federation's 27 voting delegates to continue leading Ghana Taekwondo.
Despite falling short in the presidential race, Cromwell accepted the outcome graciously and pledged his continued commitment to the sport.
"I lost, but I am still in the sport of Taekwondo and ready to support the new executives. Congratulations, Mr. President," he said after the results were announced.
In his victory speech, Otu expressed gratitude to the delegates for their confidence in his leadership and called for unity as the federation begins a new chapter.
He urged members to put the elections behind them and work together to advance Taekwondo in Ghana. Otu also announced the appointment of the federation's new Secretary General and revealed that additional appointments would be made to strengthen the executive team. He further appealed to the media to report accurately on the proceedings and wished delegates a safe journey home.
President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Richard Akpokavie, officially swore in the newly elected executive board. He charged the leadership to prioritise the development of Ghanaian Taekwondo, with particular attention to supporting Olympic Solidarity Scholarship athlete Henrietta Armah in her quest to qualify for and excel at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Maxwell Theodore Alornyo was elected Vice President after polling 14 votes in a three-way contest, ahead of Hamidu Abdel-Fatao, who secured 10 votes, and Martin Prince Oppan, who received three votes.
In the race for two Executive Member positions, Wisdom P. Nuntaa Kankpenuba and Simon Koku Gluikpor were both elected after each obtained 16 votes. Stephen Amegashie Jnr garnered 12 votes, while Terrance Asare received 10.
The newly constituted executive board currently comprises President Frederick Lartey Otu, Vice President Maxwell Theodore Alornyo, Executive Member and Secretary General Wisdom P. Nuntaa Kankpenuba, and Executive Member Simon Koku Gluikpor. Additional appointments are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The new leadership now assumes responsibility for steering the growth and development of Taekwondo in Ghana while working to strengthen the country's presence on the continental and international stage.