By Simon Asare
Accra, Sept. 21, GNA – The Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) has received three road bicycles from United Kingdom-based charity Re-Cycle in a move aimed at supporting the growth of cycling at the grassroots level in Ghana.
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.
Dr Ebenezer Somiah, Country Director of Village Bicycle Project Ghana, said the donation reinforced an existing collaboration between the two organisations, which has 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 organisation’s warehouse manager, Mark, who travelled from the United Kingdom for the presentation.
Re-Cycle, which operates under the banner “Recycle Bikes for Africa”, works with partner organisations in several African countries to improve access to bicycles and enhance mobility.
Ward said the donation formed part of the charity’s continued support for cycling development in Ghana.
“We hope that this donation of three road bikes will help, especially for the girls and women who are part of this project,” she said.
She noted that Re-Cycle remained committed to supporting Ghanaian cyclists from the grassroots level upwards.
Mr John Nartey, Acting Deputy Coordinator of the National Recreation Awareness Programme, said 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, and called for greater participation in the sport for recreation and daily exercise.
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.
According to him, the area has previously benefited from bicycle distribution programmes implemented by the Village Bicycle Project for schoolchildren.
Mr Mohamed said the federation would 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.
He 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.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Simon Asare
Email: [email protected]