The Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) has received a donation of three road bicycles from Re-Cycle UK, a United Kingdom-based charity. The bicycles were presented in Accra through the Village Bicycle Project (VBP) Ghana, which facilitated the donation as part of its partnership with Re-Cycle to promote cycling across the country. This donation aims to support the growth of cycling at the grassroots level in Ghana.
Dr. Ebenezer Somiah, Country Director of Village Bicycle Project Ghana, stated that the donation reinforced an existing collaboration between Re-Cycle and VBP Ghana. The two organizations have previously provided bicycles to schoolchildren, health workers, and farmers in rural communities. He described the GCF as a key partner in advancing cycling development and a deserving beneficiary of the latest consignment.
The handover ceremony was attended by Re-Cycle Executive Director Charlotte Ward and the organization’s warehouse manager, Mark, who traveled from the United Kingdom for the presentation. Re-Cycle operates under the banner “Recycle Bikes for Africa” and works with partner organizations in several African countries to improve access to bicycles and enhance mobility.
Charlotte Ward said the donation formed part of the charity’s continued support for cycling development in Ghana. She noted that Re-Cycle remained committed to supporting Ghanaian cyclists from the grassroots level upwards. The donation of three road bikes is expected to help, especially for the girls and women who are part of this project.
Mr. John Nartey, Acting Deputy Coordinator of the National Recreation Awareness Programme, emphasized that cycling aligned with the government’s efforts to encourage regular physical activity among Ghanaians. He highlighted the health benefits of cycling, including improved cardiovascular fitness, stronger bones and muscles, enhanced mental well-being, and reduced carbon emissions.
Mr. Shaaban Mohamed, Secretary-General of the GCF, welcomed the donation, describing it as timely ahead of the federation’s participation in next month’s Tour du Faso in Burkina Faso. He said the bicycles would be deployed to support the national team during the competition, while one of them would be assigned to the federation’s women’s cycling initiative in the Upper East Region.
The GCF plans to brief the Minister for Sports and Recreation on the donation and advocate for duty exemptions on future imports of bicycles and cycling equipment intended to support athletes, health workers, farmers, and rural communities. The federation expressed gratitude to Re-Cycle for honouring an earlier pledge to support cycling development in Ghana and thanked Village Bicycle Project Ghana and members of the media for their continued contribution to the sport.
Key points
- Re-Cycle UK and Village Bicycle Project donate three road bicycles to Ghana Cycling Federation to boost cycling development in Ghana.
- The donation aims to support the growth of cycling at the grassroots level in Ghana, particularly for girls and women.
- The bicycles will be used to support the national team during the Tour du Faso in Burkina Faso and the federation’s women’s cycling initiative in the Upper East Region.
