The Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) recently conducted its Regional Taekwondo Awareness Campaign in the Upper West Region, engaging 315 students from five schools. This event marked the third edition of the campaign, following previous events in Kumasi and Cape Coast. The campaign aims to promote discipline, physical fitness, and youth development through taekwondo.
The event took place at the Wa Technical Institute and was attended by students, traditional authorities, sports administrators, educators, Taekwondo practitioners, and representatives of key institutions. The programme was designed to introduce young people to taekwondo and encourage wider participation. The GTF, in collaboration with its regional associations, organised the event to increase awareness of taekwondo and identify emerging talents.
The campaign has now reached over 1,000 students across 26 schools in three regions. The Kumasi event attracted 500 students, while the Cape Coast event drew 200 students. Speaking on behalf of the GTF President, the Federation's Secretary-General, Kankpenuba Peter Nuntaa Wisdom, highlighted the benefits of taekwondo, stating that it teaches respect, self-control, perseverance, confidence, and responsibility.
Wisdom encouraged students to take an active interest in the demonstrations and urged teachers and school administrators to create opportunities for learners to participate in organised sports and extracurricular activities. The programme received support from regional stakeholders, including the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Education Service (GES), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and traditional authorities.
The NSA Regional Sports Development Officer, Biliguo Johnbosco, commended the Federation and the regional Taekwondo Association for the initiative, reaffirming the authority's commitment to grassroots sports development and talent identification. He emphasised the importance of making sporting opportunities accessible to everyone, including girls and persons with disabilities.
Other stakeholders, including the Regional Physical Education Coordinator of the GES, Julius Angsomwine, and traditional leader Sunche Naa Daudi Osman Yakubu Saaka, expressed their support for the initiative. Angsomwine noted that the necessary administrative authorisation must be obtained before introducing taekwondo in schools, while Saaka encouraged the organisers to sustain the initiative.
The event also heard from a former taekwondo practitioner and former Headmaster of Nandom Senior High School, Mr Magnus, who called for the establishment of more taekwondo clubs across the region. The Wa Municipal Commander of the Narcotics Control Commission, JB Abesig, cautioned students against substance abuse, particularly the misuse of medication and other substances.
Key points
- The Ghana Taekwondo Federation's Regional Taekwondo Awareness Campaign has engaged over 1,000 students across 26 schools in three regions.
- The campaign aims to promote discipline, physical fitness, and youth development through taekwondo.
- Stakeholders have expressed support for the initiative, emphasising the importance of grassroots sports development and talent identification.
