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Kyeremaa clearing disability barriers …to win Ghana’s first taekwondo gold from Paralympic Games
Time to do a few stretches
It is exactly seven years ago when a Techiman based disabled seamstress, Ms Patricia Kyerewaa, decided to heed to persuasions from a friend she referred to as ‘Uncle’ (Bro Dan) to begin a career as a para (disabled) taekwondo athlete.
And that has proven to be a decision without regrets although there was an initial rejection from her parents. Now all she enjoys from them is their unwavering support.
It was one afternoon in her shop, working with thread and needles to put together some decent clothes for her customers when Bro Dan came around, asking about her thoughts on a discussion they had previously.
“Is it about the discussion for me to join a taekwondo club?” Kyeremaa quizzed.
And Bro Dan gently responded: “Yes, I have waited for you to call me to let me know your response.”
To Bro Dan’s surprise, Kyeremaa responded in the affirmative and right away, they travelled from Techiman to Sunyani in the Bono region to meet the one who happens to be her current coach, George Ablomoti.
That was the story behind Kyeremaa’s journey in the world of taekwondo as a para athlete.
Just seven years down the line, Kyeremaa is knocking on the doors of fame, having carved a niche for herself as the first and only para taekwondo athlete in Ghana’s Paralympic team for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games that is slated for August 28 to September 8.
For that feat, she gives credit to the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Ghana which applied for the Wild Card on behalf of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) for her and a second athlete, Emmanuel Kofi Turkson.
However, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) approved that of Kyeremaa and failed to grant the request for the other.
As a Person Living with disability (PLWD), Kyeremaa opted to learning a skill to be able to fend for herself after completing Junior High School (JHS) at Akumadan SDA, knowing the challenges one faces as a PLWD in Ghana.
But the busy schedule of an athlete preparing for a competition of this magnitude is not making it possible for her to practise her trade; presently she is in residential camp in Tema.
As it is with every venture, she recounted initial struggles in trying to adapt to the demands of the sport.
“It was quite challenging from the beginning. I was not a sports person and didn’t understand why Bro Dan kept persuading me to become a taekwondo player but with time, I adjusted,” she told this Reporter.
“I feared the sack after the initial struggles but to my knowledge, it was actually the coach who tasked Bro Dan to convince me to join, actually spurred me on; and it is that confidence and hard work that keeps me going.”
“Honestly, I put in all the hard work but was not quite sure where this venture would land me.”
Kyeremaa has gone onto record with a few achievements which she hopes to climax with a gold medal at the upcoming Paralympics in Paris.
The story about her success started with a big bang; registering a gold medal feat in the 2017 edition of the Korea Ambassador Taekwondo Championship among six other contestants.
She continued to dominate in the championship as she won a second gold and silver medals in subsequent championships.
Her dominance extended to the Africa region where she recorded Ghana’s first gold medal at the Africa Championship, Niger 2022, bringing home a medal and a beautiful trophy.
That earned the 29-year-old athlete qualification to the France Grand Prix in 2022 but out of the huge numbers, she placed a respectable ninth position.
That was, however, not her biggest disappointment. Failure to qualify to the Paralympics 2024 championship via the regular route still hunts her.
In all that she has achieved in the sport, the support she keeps enjoying from officials, family, coach and fans has kept her at the top.
“For my family, I am grateful to them. They were initially against it but now they are convinced I am on the right path. Through para taekwondo, I have travelled to Accra, France, Niger, Senegal and still going,” she remarked.
“The Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) board spearheaded by Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, a Chief Revenue Officer with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the para taekwondo sub-committee chaired by Rev. Samuel Annor cannot be left out. They have played instrumental roles in my development,” she added.
For the future, she sees it as quite encouraging although she would quit to marry her sweetheart at some point and focus on family life.
In her view, sports financing has been left on the shoulders of individuals like the various federation heads and that is not good enough.
For her fellow disabled, Kyeremaa believes there is so much they can do to stay relevant in order to make them useful to the society.
“Until I started taekwondo, I didn’t know sports accommodates people with disabilities. The same thing is happening with other disciplines so I want to encourage other disabled people to engage in sports. They should identify the discipline with interest and get on board,” she noted.
“So, instead of making themselves burdens on society and families, they should strive to do something positive with their lives because disability must not mean the end of the world for them.”
By Andrew Nortey
When the world’s eyes turn to the King’s Baton on its global journey, one of Ghana’s most profound artistic stories travels with it. It will be a story of creativity, culture, and national pride crafted by Albert Litela Obidiaba.
From the quiet town of Old Baika in the Oti Region, Albert’s journey as an artist has always been about telling stories. It is not just through words, but through symbols, textures, and meaning.
“From a young age, I was drawn to the power of art, knowing how colours and textures can capture not just emotion but culture and identity,” he recalls.
Today, his name has become synonymous with innovation rooted in traditional bridge between Ghana’s past and its global creative future.
Albert’s love for art was born from curiosity. Surrounded by the vibrancy of Ghanaian culture; the patterns of kente, the stories behind Adinkra symbols, and the textures of daily life, he began sketching and crafting early on.
“Simple things told deep stories,” he says. “That fascinated me.”
As he matured, his art evolved into a personal mission to preserve and reinterpret Ghana’s heritage for a modern audience. His style reflects a seamless blend of culture and contemporary design, each piece a narrative of unity, history, and pride.
“I see art as storytelling through form and symbolism, it should feel rooted in purpose yet speak to today’s world,” he explains.
When the call came to design Ghana’s version of the King’s Baton, Albert saw it as both a national duty and a creative calling.
Recommended by mentors like Mr Charles Osei Asibey, who trusted his talent and understanding of Ghanaian symbolism, he embraced the project wholeheartedly.
His vision was clear; to create a piece that would embody unity, pride, and the enduring spirit of Ghana.
Drawing from traditional motifs, he integrated textures inspired by kente weaving, representing hard work, continuity, and creativity. The golden tones symbolise strength and dignity, while the contours and natural motifs mirror Ghana’s landscapes and people.
“The King’s Baton had to tell our story of who we are, what we value, and how we see the world, it is more than art, it is identity in motion,” he said.
Every etch, every pattern carries meaning. From concept to completion, the entire process took three intense weeks which were filled with research, design sketches, consultation, and collaboration with skilled artisans.
“It was days and nights of work, but a lifetime of meaning,” he says with quiet pride.
Creating a design that represents all of Ghana’s diverse cultures was no small feat. Albert had to balance aesthetics, authenticity, and technology thereby using sustainable wood, carefully treated and certified, to reflect the nation’s commitment to nature and preservation.
“It wasn’t easy finding the right mix,” he admits. “But those challenges pushed me to think deeper. They made the final piece stronger — both artistically and symbolically.”
For Albert, Ghanaian culture is both muse and message. His works echo the values of unity, strength, persistence, and wisdom, drawn from Ghana’s traditions.
“Art preserves who we are and every line and symbol tells a story of belonging,” he said, and believes art is one of the most powerful tools for building national pride.
Designing the King’s Baton has been a defining moment in his creative journey and that it deepened his appreciation for cultural storytelling. “It taught me that creativity is also a form of service,” he said.
The experience has opened new professional doors, but more importantly, it gave him a renewed sense of purpose making him embrace a call to national duty.
“My soul will be glad even after my days on earth are over,” he said beaming with smiles.
Beyond the King’s Baton, Albert has worked on numerous projects celebrating Ghanaian identity through contemporary art and design. His ongoing works explore symbolism and heritage in new forms which includes blending materials, stories, and styles from across Ghana’s regions.
He is currently preparing projects that continue the conversation the baton began. They are about unity, creativity, and Africa’s evolving artistic voice.
To young artists aspiring to make their mark, Albert’s advice is for them to believe deeply in their craft and that the world is always looking for authenticity “which comes from knowing who you are and where you come from.”
On how he wants to be remembered, he said, “I want to be remembered as an artist who used creativity to celebrate culture and connect people. If my name is remembered as the one who designed Ghana’s version of the King’s Baton, that will be enough, because it means I carried Ghana in my hands, and shared her with the world.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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A ‘trotro’ bus heading to Nsawam was filled with the usual sounds from conversations, music, and sometimes a preacher delivering a message.
But when Margaret Odame Donkor rises to speak, she does not preach salvation or sell herbal remedies. Instead, she shares her journey as a breast cancer survivor, urging passengers to examine their breasts regularly, seek medical help early, and never lose hope.
Her pulpit is not a church, but the crowded minibuses of Ghana’s public transport system. Her message is not about repentance, but about survival.
She urges women to check their breasts regularly, encourages men to support their wives during health challenges, and reassures everyone listening that a cancer diagnosis is not the end of life.
For Margaret, creating awareness is more than a duty-it is a calling born out of personal pain, fear, and triumph.
Her words carried weight because they come from lived experience.
At age 48, Margaret has walked through the valley of fear and pain, battled stage three invasive carcinoma, and emerged not just a survivor but an advocate determined to educate others.
Cancer journey
Margaret’s encounter with breast cancer stretches back decades. At 22, she discovered a lump in her left breast. It was removed and declared benign. Relieved, she skipped regular checks and moved on. Then in 2021, the lump reappeared—this time spreading toward her armpit.
At a church screening in October 2022, doctors detected suspicious lymph nodes. Further tests confirmed her worst fear: stage three invasive carcinoma.
“It wasn’t easy,” she recalls softly. “But my faith in God kept me strong. My husband, children, family, friends, and colleagues formed an army behind me. Their prayers, visits, and encouragement gave me the courage to fight.”
“Be grateful every day because you never know what tomorrow may bring. No one has it all, but with love and support, you can endure,” she stated.
Her greatest fear remains recurrence and not living long enough to see her children graduate and become the people she dreams for them to be.
Before cancer disrupted her life, Margaret had found purpose in interpretation. In 2020, a friend spotted a Judicial Service vacancy and encouraged her to apply. After years of unsuccessful attempts at government jobs, she was reluctant, but she tried once more. This time, she succeeded and was posted to the Eastern Region, her home.
Today, she works at the Nsawam District Court, one of the busiest in the area. On a typical day, she arrives at 7:30am, prepares dockets, and confers with magistrates. She interprets proceedings in Twi, Ga, Hausa, and occasionally Ewe, ensuring that justice was accessible to all.
Her role is demanding. Cross-examinations require her to switch quickly between English and local dialects, while marriages often call for interpreting vows in couples’ preferred languages. Still, she thrives. “The registrars and magistrates I’ve worked with have been amazing. They make the environment very comfortable,” she stated.
Beyond the courtroom, Margaret is also an entrepreneur. In 2017, she founded Nubreed Décor, an events decoration business born from her childhood love for beautifying spaces. She recalls cutting paper decorations as a child and helping her cousin rent out chairs and decorate venues.
Balancing décor with court work was tough, and her health struggles after surgery made it even harder. Radiation left her with persistent rib pain, forcing her to slow down. “Now I hire more hands, which makes business expensive, but it helps me achieve my goals,” she explained.
Her biggest challenge as an entrepreneur remains finance. “The event industry is huge, but I have to work at my own pace and focus on my niche,” she admited.
Cancer changed how Margaret values people and relationships. She learned that those you least expect often become your strongest supporters. She urges families to stand by patients with prayers, encouragement, and financial support, reminding society that a cancer diagnosis is not the end of life.
Her advocacy extends beyond awareness talks. She dreams of establishing a counselling centre for young people and hopes Ghana will expand access to mammograms and radiotherapy centres. “Every patient deserves a chance at survival,” she said firmly.
She urged the youth to live peacefully and be their brother’s keeper, learn to be content and rely on God.
To women, she asserted that, “love yourselves and make breast checks routine while calling on Ghanaians to be open-minded, avoid being judgmental, and show love.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
