A deepening crisis is threatening to consume the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) as embattled incumbent Frederick Lartey Otu faces fierce opposition from concerned activists, former national team members, and longtime practitioners over an alleged scheme to extend his 13-year reign.
In a strongly worded petition obtained by this publication, a coalition of grassroots members accuses Otu of orchestrating a “blatant display of power-hungry, self-serving leadership” – including the controversial use of a privately funded “strategic retreat” to manufacture support for another presidential bid.
‘Wined and Dined’ – Retreat Under Fire
According to multiple sources, Otu personally organized and financed a gathering in Accra, billed as a strategic retreat, where participants from various regions were provided with hotel accommodation, meals, and drinks. Shortly thereafter, attendees were asked to sign a petition calling on Otu to run again.
“This is not leadership; it is manipulation and abuse of influence,” the coalition states. Several members have since come forward, admitting they were pressured, persuaded, or induced to sign under questionable circumstances.
More troubling, insiders reveal that the move was never formally discussed or approved at the federation’s board level – an apparent violation of basic governance and transparency standards.
‘A Failed Personal Enterprise’
Critics charge that after 13 years under Otu’s leadership, the federation has effectively become his personal property, rather than a national sports governing body.
“The growth and development of taekwondo in Ghana have been stifled by poor leadership, lack of vision, and self-interest,” the statement reads. Training programs have stagnated, international competitiveness has waned, and internal dissent is routinely crushed, according to former national team members who spoke on condition of anonymity.
One veteran practitioner described the federation as “a one-man show” where funds and decisions flow only through Otu. “He treats the GTF like a family business he refuses to let go of, regardless of the damage to the sport.”
Worsening Crisis – What Authorities Must Do
With elections looming, the coalition is now demanding immediate intervention from the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ministry of Sports. They outline three urgent actions:
1. Reject any manipulated candidacy – Otu must not appear on the final list of candidates for the upcoming presidential election.
2. Enforce governance audits – Investigate the federation’s financial and operational records over the past decade to determine whether public and private funds have been misappropriated.
3. Dissolve or overhaul the board – If the current leadership cannot adhere to transparent, democratic statutes, authorities must step in to appoint an interim management committee to organize free and fair elections.
“Members are fed up,” the coalition warns. “We reject this calculated attempt to cling to power. Enough is enough.”
Attempts to reach Frederick Lartey Otu for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. However, loyalists within the federation have previously dismissed similar allegations as the work of disgruntled individuals seeking to destabilize the sport.
With the election timeline uncertain but widely expected within months, Ghana taekwondo stands at a crossroads – either it reclaims its identity as a national federation, or it risks further decay under what critics call a decade-long personal hijack.
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