Armah was beaten in three rounds by Hong Kong's Lam Siu Wai in the women's under-49 kilograms round of 64, while Sama lost in two rounds to Brazil's Vinicius Assis Matos in the same stage of the men's under-74kg in Azerbaijan's capital.

Sama had previously represented Ghana at the World Championships in Chelyabinsk in 2015, while this year marked Armah's debut.

The two athletes are among Ghana's leading hopes for taekwondo success at the delayed African Games in Accra.

They were supported by Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) President Frederick Otu Lartey and vice-president Charles Cromwell in Baku.

The GTF claimed it received "no aid" from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Sports Authority to help with the participation of its athletes at the World Championships.

Ghana is due to host the African Games for the first time from March 8 to 23 2024.

It had initially been due to take place in August of this year, but delays in preparations and an economic crisis in the host nation which has required a $3 billion (£2.4 billion/€2.8 billion) International Monetary Fund bailout led to it being postponed.

Some leading figures in Ghana, including former President John Mahama, have called on the nation to pull out of hosting altogether, but organisers insist it remains worthwhile.

Taekwondo is one of the 24 medal sports on the programme for Accra 2023, which has retained its original branding.

More than 5,000 athletes from over 50 countries are expected to compete at the African Games.