Accra, July 3, GNA – Mr. Patrick Mintah, a sixth-degree black belt holder, has been adjudged the Reg Gwira Martial Artist of the Year.
He received this accolade at this year’s African Goju Martial Arts Institute Awards Ceremony held at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Saturday.
Mr. Mintah also won the Donald Gwira Breaking Award and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to the growth of African Goju over the years.
“I am delighted to be recognised as the Martial Artist of the Year and this adds an extra burden to keep the legacy of African Goju going.
“It is my desire to open more Goju clubs in Ghana and get more youth trained in the art of self-defense. Hopefully, we can train thousands more in the future,” Mr Mintah said.
African Goju, founded by Professor Danny Gwira in 1985, is an art of self-defence that teaches one to be tough in order to be able to withstand punishment and stay disciplined.
Speaking during the awards presentation, Professor Danny Gwira, who is also the founder of the Martial Arts Institute, congratulated all new inductees into the African Goju and South American Goju Hall of Fame, urging them to do more to grow the arts.
“The members of this year’s Hall of Fame had one thing in common and that is their unconditional love and devotion to the Martial Arts Institute, to African Goju, South American Goju and myself; without which I would have found it much harder to have achieved today.
“The Martial Arts Institute, African Goju, and South American Goju are now established and will continue to be there even after my death. For that reason, I will be forever grateful to every one of you for the thirst you exuded in wanting to learn and the joy you gave me. Your names will forever be enshrined in the annals of the Martial Arts Institute,” said Grandmaster Danny Gwira.
Inductees into the African Goju Hall of Fame include Duke Banson (1984), Caroline Gwira Anane (1987), George Heward-Mills (1988), Donald Gwira (1990), Ohio-Michael Elakhe (1998), and Harry Gwira (2000).
Others include Godwin Oziegbe (2011), Henry Akpode (2014), Mosses Kwesi Baiden Jnr (2020) Michael Boateng Mensah (2022, and Umai Henry Lopentz (2022).
Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, former Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States and a renowned politician, also received an honorary black belt for his contribution to the growth of martial arts in Ghana.
Source: Ghana News Agency
