The Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) has officially recognised cyclist Ibrahim Jazil Abanga for his five-day expedition from Tamale to Accra, presenting him with a bicycle procured through the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Solidarity Programme.
The 600 to 700-kilometre journey, undertaken to mark Ghana’s 69th Independence Day, served as a platform to advocate for national unity, youth empowerment and technical and vocational education. Impressed by his commitment, the federation moved to support Abanga’s broader vision of grassroots development in the country’s northern regions.
At a presentation ceremony, Shaaban Mohammed, General Secretary of the Ghana Cycling Federation, explained that the donation was intended to aid talent identification and encourage cycling at the community level.
“On behalf of the Federation President and the Ghana Cycling Federation, we are donating this bicycle to Ibrahim Jazil Abanga,” Mr Mohammed said. “He rode from Tamale to Accra to celebrate our 69th anniversary of independence, and we were deeply touched by his effort.”
“The bicycle he arrived with had many issues, but more importantly, when we met with him, we recognised his ambition. He wants to become a key cyclist within the northern region to blend the five regions and visit schools to help the Federation discover new talent. Through the UCI solidarity initiative, we received these bicycles specifically for development. We decided to give this to him as a means of transport to reach schools and help us identify cyclists in the north.”
Mr Mohammed commended the resilience shown during the challenging multi-day ride, adding: “You have done very well, and we are proud of you. This gesture is to encourage you to keep it up, as we hope to see more youth join the sport before we reach our 70th anniversary.”
From Setback to Long-Distance Ambition
Abanga’s entry into cycling came after a football career was cut short by a dislocated left knee. Encouraged by his brother to remain in sport, he took up cycling and completed an inaugural long-distance ride from Tamale to Yendi, an experience that laid the groundwork for his recent expedition.
Expressing his gratitude, Abanga said the federation’s support aligned with his personal mission.
“I rode from Tamale to Accra to raise awareness for the 69th Independence Day of Ghana, focusing on national unity, youth empowerment, and the prioritisation of technical and vocational education,” he said. “This act caught the attention of the Ghana Cycling Federation. We held discussions where I shared my future plans, and they offered to donate this bicycle to appreciate my youthful drive and readiness to transform Ghana through adventure.”
He extended thanks to the federation’s leadership and the UCI Solidarity Programme, adding: “We hope they continue to assist us with more bicycles, helping reduce fuel usage and supporting green energy.”
Academic Research Meets Advocacy
A student of Public Relations, Abanga is using the expedition as the foundation for his academic thesis, which explores the intersection of cycling, media and public relations strategies as a mechanism to influence youth engagement. His research aims to examine how these tools can encourage young people to take up sport while promoting technical and vocational education as a viable and prestigious pathway to a sustainable future.
The donated bicycle is expected to serve both as a means of transport for grassroots talent identification across the Northern regions and as a platform for Abanga’s ongoing advocacy and academic fieldwork.
