The Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative (GBBI), social wing of Envirotech Bamboo Limited, has announced a five-year free bamboo bicycle distribution programme, to promote inclusive education in rural communities across Ghana.

Under the programme, thousands of transport-dependent school children will receive bamboo bicycles to facilitate travelling between their homes and schools.

Chief Executive of Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, Mrs. Bernice Dapaah

During a launch event in Manso Adubia, Amansie South District,  Chief Executive, Mrs. Bernice Dapaah highlighted the importance of building a cycling culture to bridge social inequality and enhance environmental safety. She said the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative is open to partnership with international distributors of bamboo bicycles and other development agencies with a shared interest in promoting equality of education.

According to Mrs. Dapaah, education is the bedrock of Ghana’s progressive development and it must be our solemn commitment to provide every child the opportunity to attain to greater heights in learning. It is a national obligation to eliminate social inequality and limited access to education especially among remote communities.

She comments: “Gaining access to school is the first bold step to building a promising future for our children and this should be top on the agenda. It is a course requiring the contribution of government, organizations and individuals.
For this reason, Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative announces to the public its 5-year Cycle to School Program in which thousands of bamboo bicycles will be freely given to transport-dependent marginalised school children. “

She adds: “This program is aimed at promoting inclusive education through increased access and participation in school. For a child far away in an unknown community, a bicycle could be the difference between success and failure in life. The long-term goal is to build a culture of cycling which has the positive outcome of ensuring cleaner environment. We have a shared vision to ensure sustainable mobility for all and this event is a critical part of that broad vision. It is my hope that today marks a turning point in the lives of the recipients of these bikes as they dream of a better future.”

The Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative is working closely with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to establish the first modern semi-automated bicycle assembly plant, to enhance technical and vocational skills training and deepen practice-based learning.

“The long term goal is to facilitate the creation of greater opportunities for industrial employment for technically equipped trainees, especially in the bicycle industry,”.