Author name: candaceacademy

The third season of the “Safety-For-All Campaign”, a self-defence and personal safety initiative powered through taekwondo by Accra-based Candance Academy, has been officially launched with a target of reaching 3,000 students across 10 schools in underserved communities this academic term. The launch event, held at the Accra Sports Stadium, also saw the unveiling of a new instructional book titled “Taekwondo For Us”, authored by the Founder, Executive Director and Lead Instructor of Candance Academy, Hannah Humphrey. Learners at the event treated patrons to an impressive self-defence demonstration, highlighting skills acquired through the programme. Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Humphrey underscored the importance of equipping children with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves. “Children may not always be able to control their environment, but they can be taught to understand it, navigate it, and protect themselves within it. That is the heart of the Safety-For-All Campaign,” she stated. She further called on individuals and corporate organisations to support the initiative through partnerships, sponsorships, logistics, and technical expertise to help expand its reach. Founded in 2019 by the award-winning national taekwondo athlete, Candance Academy has over the years empowered children, private schools and corporate institutions with martial arts skills, while promoting safety awareness among young people. Ms Humphrey, who hails from Takoradi, developed an interest in taekwondo at an early age and went on to become a multiple national gold medallist. She also represented Ghana at the 2011 African Games in Maputo, Mozambique. Her inspiration for the campaign stemmed from the tragic kidnapping and murder of several girls in Takoradi in 2018, shortly after she returned to Ghana from a Global Masters Training Programme in South Korea. With support from instructors at the World Taekwondo Academy in Seoul, the initiative has grown significantly over the years. What began as a small three-day training programme in four basic schools has expanded into a nationwide campaign, training over 1,000 students by the end of Season Two in 2023 through a more direct, school-focused approach. The programme’s impact has not gone unnoticed, earning recognition from the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), which honoured the initiative with an Award for Dedication and Valour in February 2025. Further endorsements have come from the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the National Sports Authority (NSA). Director-General of the NSA, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, commended Ms Humphrey for her dedication and described her work as remarkable. “Her dedication and perseverance is unbelievable. I have utmost respect for Candance Academy,” he said. He also praised the newly launched book, describing it as user-friendly and impactful. “The book is written for easy understanding. It makes self-defence an art, not a duty. I will recommend it to parents, schools and institutions to help individuals protect themselves when the need arises,” he added. Organisers remain confident that the third season of the campaign will further deepen its impact, inspire young people, and strengthen safety awareness across communities in Ghana.

The third season of the highly acclaimed “Safety-For-All-Campaign” self-defence and personal safety initiative through taekwondo pioneered by Accra based Candace Academy has been launched with a target to reach 3,000 students in 10 schools in underserved communities this term. A book teaching the basic rudiments of the sport titled, “Taekwondo For Us” written by Founder, Executive Director and Lead Instructor of Candace Academy, Hannah Humphrey was also launched at the Accra Sports Stadium, where some learners later showcased an impressive self-defence demonstration. Hannah Humphery, Founder Candace Academy “Children may not always be able to control their environment, but they can be taught to understand it, navigate it, and protect themselves within it.That is the heart of the Safety-For-All-Campaign,” Hannah Humphrey said. “We call for a partnership with individuals and corporate bodies to take safety education into more schools, support through sponsorships, resources, logistics, and technical expertise as well as to join in spreading awareness and reinforcing safety culture at all levels. Many can even make professional careers through this,” she said. Founded by the award winning national taekwondo star in 2019 after four years of empowering kids, private schools and corporate bodies with taekwondo and other martial arts skills at Candace Academy, the programme prioritises a collective responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of children. It has grown from a simple idea into a national initiative – one with real impact, real stories and real change. Humphrey, who grew up in Takoradi where she learnt taekwondo skills at an early age before developing into a multiple national gold medallist in various categories and representing Ghana at the 2011 Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, was inspired to start the “Safety-For-All-Campaign” following the gruesome kidnap and murder of some number of girls in the Western Regional capital in 2018. She had just returned to Ghana upon completion of a Global Masters Training Program in South Korea at the time. NSA boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah endorses Hannah Humphey’s book “Taekwondo For Us” With the support of some Professors at the World Taekwondo Academy (WTA) in Seoul, she developed and launched a comprehensive training program, with one of the Korean mentors coming to Ghana to personally help launch Season One. Through unrelenting determination and perserverance, the 3-day event that trained a few people and students of four basic schools developed to tutor over one thousand students in crucial safety and self-defence techniques by the end of Season 2 in 2023 where the novel strategy was to visit interested schools for a more direct and effective approach. The quick success was recognised with a Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Award for Dedication and Valour in February 2025. Endorsement and support has also come from the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the National Sports Authority (NSA) whose Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah commended Hannah Humphrey and Candace Academy for the incredible work done. “Her dedication and perseverance is unbelievable. I have utmost respect for Candace Academy,” the NSA boss said. “The book is written for easy understanding, it’s user friendly and also makes self-defence as an art, not a duty. It’s a breaking-the-ice book, she’s done mavelously well,” he said. “I will recommend this book to every parents, schools and institutions to imbibe how to protect themselves if the need be.”

In a bold step toward improving child safety and empowerment in Ghana, Candance Academy has officially expanded its “Safety for All” campaign while introducing a new educational resource aimed at equipping children with essential self-defence skills. Expanding Safety Education Across Schools The newly launched Season 3 of the “Safety for All” campaign is set to reach over 3,000 students across approximately 10 schools, particularly in underserved communities. This expansion reflects the academy’s commitment to making safety education accessible to more children across the country. Unlike traditional safety programmes, this initiative goes beyond physical protection. It integrates a holistic approach to child safety, combining practical self-defence with critical life skills. A Holistic Approach to Child Protection The updated programme introduces several new components designed to address modern safety challenges. These include: Personal safety education to help children recognize and respond to danger Digital safety training to guide safe online behavior Emotional wellbeing support to build confidence and resilience Community awareness activities to encourage collective responsibility By combining these elements, the programme ensures that children are not only physically prepared but also mentally and emotionally equipped to handle risky situations. Introducing “Taekwondo for Us” A major highlight of this expansion is the launch of a new guidebook titled “Taekwondo for Us.” This book simplifies the fundamentals of taekwondo, making it easy for children and beginners to understand and practice basic self-defence techniques. The guide serves as both a learning tool and a confidence booster, helping young people develop discipline, awareness, and the ability to protect themselves when necessary. Empowering the Next Generation The “Safety for All” campaign was founded by taekwondo expert Hannah Humphrey, inspired by growing concerns around child safety in Ghana. Since its inception, the programme has impacted over 1,000 students, earning recognition and praise for its innovative approach. With this latest expansion, Candance Academy aims to deepen its impact by reaching more communities and fostering a culture of safety among young people. Looking Ahead As the programme continues to grow, Candance Academy is calling on organizations, stakeholders, and individuals to support its mission. Through partnerships and collaboration, the academy hopes to extend its reach nationwide and ensure that every child has access to the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe.