It’s no secret that Ghana has one of the highest rates of road accidents in Africa, and for cyclists, the situation is particularly dire. One day, Captain Festus Yeboah Asuamah, a seasoned cyclist and soldier, will embark on a 250-kilometre endurance ride from Accra to Kumasi to bring attention to the plight of cyclists in the country.
- According to Captain Asuamah, the ride will serve as a call to action to promote sustainable cycling in Ghana.
- The initiative is inspired by Akpene Adzo Ahadzie, a sixth-year Master of Architecture student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), who met her untimely death in a cycling accident on campus last year.
The sad incident that took the life of Ms Adzo Ahadzie brought to light the harsh realities of the challenges faced by cyclists in Ghana. Many cyclists face avoidable accidents due to the lack of infrastructure and the deliberate disregard for their safety by motorists and road users. “This ride is more than just a test of endurance; it’s a call for safer roads for all.” Captain Asuamah believes that the endurance exercise will raise awareness about the importance of cyclists’ safety and promote sustainable cycling in Ghana. The initiative is also in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) call that cyclists’ safety should be at the heart of the road transport and land use framework.
Captain Asuamah is calling on all Ghanaians, especially cyclists, to rally behind him on this mission to spread awareness and push for better infrastructure and policies that protect cyclists in Ghana.
“I want to honour the memory of Akpene Adzo Ahadzie by advocating for the safety of cyclists,” Captain Asuamah said. “As a soldier and a cyclist, I know the risks involved in cycling, and it’s not just about the accidents that happen on the road; it’s about the lack of respect and consideration for cyclists from motorists and road users.”
“We need to change the way we view cyclists on our roads; we need to treat them with the same respect and care that we would want for ourselves and our families.”
“I want to see Ghana become a safer place for cyclists, and this ride is just the beginning of that journey.”
“I’m not just riding for myself, I’m riding for Akpene and for all the cyclists who have lost their lives on our roads.”
“This ride will not be just about me; it will be about the collective action of all Ghanaians who want to see a change in the way we treat cyclists.”
“Let’s work together to create a safer and more sustainable cycling infrastructure in Ghana.”
“We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our future generations to make our roads safer for all users, including cyclists.”
“I’m calling on all cyclists, motorists, and road users to join me in this mission to promote cyclists’ safety and sustainable cycling in Ghana.”
“Let’s make Ghana a better place for all road users, including cyclists.”
| **Key Challenges Facing Cyclists in Ghana** |
| • Lack of infrastructure, including bike lanes and pedestrian paths |
| • Lack of awareness about cyclists’ rights and responsibilities |
| • Disregard for cyclists by motorists and road users |
| • Lack of effective policies and laws to protect cyclists |
“I want to assure all cyclists that we will not give up on this mission until we have achieved our goal of making Ghana a safer place for cyclists.”
“We will continue to work with stakeholders, including cyclists, motorists, and government agencies, to promote sustainable cycling and ensure that our roads are safe for all users.”
“We will not rest until we have seen a significant reduction in the number of cycling accidents and fatalities in Ghana.”
“This ride is just the beginning of our journey to make Ghana a safer place for cyclists.”
“We invite all Ghanaians to join us on this mission and to support us in our efforts to promote cyclists’ safety and sustainable cycling in Ghana.”
“Let’s work together to create a better future for all road users, including cyclists.”
“We will not be deterred by any obstacles or challenges that come our way. We will continue to fight for the safety of cyclists and for sustainable cycling in Ghana.”
“We are committed to making a difference and to creating a safer and more sustainable cycling infrastructure in Ghana.”
“We will not rest until we have achieved our goal of making Ghana a safer place for cyclists.”
“This ride is just the beginning of our journey to make Ghana a better place for all road users, including cyclists.”
“We invite all Ghanaians to join us on this mission and to support us in our efforts to promote cyclists’ safety and sustainable cycling in Ghana.”
“Let’s work together to create a better future for all road users, including cyclists.”
“We will not be deterred by any obstacles or challenges that come our way.
