The Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) has launched a Regional Taekwondo Awareness Campaign aimed at taking the sport into schools and communities across five regions. About 500 schoolchildren from 10 private schools in the Ashanti Region participated in the launch in Kumasi. The campaign, themed “Promoting Taekwondo Awareness, Discipline, Fitness and Youth Development,” seeks to increase access to the sport and promote discipline, physical fitness, self-defence and confidence among children.
The campaign will initially cover the Ashanti, Northern, Upper West, Bono and Central regions. GTF President Frederick Lartey Otu said the campaign represents a broader approach to using Taekwondo as a tool for youth development. He emphasized that the future of Taekwondo in Ghana lies not only in producing champions but also in producing disciplined, responsible and confident young people.
The programme aims to create pathways for young athletes to progress from school and community programmes to regional and national competitions. Mr Lartey Otu called for stronger collaboration among schools, parents, teachers, coaches, sports authorities and Taekwondo associations. He stressed that the programme requires partnership, commitment and collective responsibility.
The Executive Director of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, urged a rethink of the role of sports in Ghana’s education system. He believes sports should not be treated simply as a co-curricular activity but as an important part of developing the whole child. Mr Gyetuah emphasized that sports teach discipline, focus, respect, resilience, teamwork and leadership.
The Ashanti Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Nana Gyaama Dakwa, pledged the Directorate’s support for grassroots sports development and encouraged more schools to participate in Taekwondo. She said the sport could improve physical fitness and mental alertness while equipping children with self-defence skills. The launch featured demonstrations by schoolchildren and Taekwondo practitioners.
The GTF National Executive Board presented uniforms and equipment to the Ashanti Regional Taekwondo Association to support training and development. The event brought together school proprietors, teachers, parents, coaches, Taekwondo officials and representatives of the National Sports Authority and GNACOPS. The campaign aims to identify young talent early and promote the sport.
Key stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, citing its potential to promote youth development and improve the overall well-being of schoolchildren. The campaign is expected to have a positive impact on the development of Taekwondo in Ghana and contribute to the growth of the sport in the country.
Key points
- The campaign will cover five regions, including Ashanti, Northern, Upper West, Bono and Central regions.
- The programme aims to create pathways for young athletes to progress from school and community programmes to regional and national competitions.
- The initiative seeks to promote discipline, physical fitness, self-defence and confidence among children.
