The Okuapehene Foundation (OKWAF) has provided 20 bicycles to support brilliant but needy schoolchildren from rural communities in Akuapem North in the Eastern Region.
The donation, part of the annual Odwira festival celebrations, aims to ease the challenges these children face commuting long distances to school.
During the presentation, Mr. Emmanuel Asa-Ntow, Chief Executive Director of OKWAF, shared Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III’s vision, emphasizing a strong commitment to education, health, and social enterprise within the traditional area. He highlighted that research within the community revealed the struggles of students who walk several kilometers daily, often resulting in fatigue and limited focus in class.
“These bikes are not only intended to lessen the burden of getting to school but also to give children in less developed communities equal access to education as their counterparts,” he stated, adding that the bicycles were assembled in Ghana and customized for the students’ exclusive use.
OKWAF is also collaborating with Books for Africa, the Isaac Ansah Foundation, and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) on a campaign to import educational resources, including books and tablets, to further enhance learning in Akuapeman schools. The initiative also seeks to improve access to healthcare for underprivileged communities.
Anthony Koranteng from the Ghana Education Service expressed gratitude to OKWAF, encouraging parents to ensure the bicycles remain for school use. Overjoyed beneficiaries, including Okyere Joseph and Ayeh Justice, expressed their gratitude and pledged to excel academically in appreciation of the support they received.