Author: Elizabeth A. Gyamfi
ACCRA: The Africa Cycling Network Satellite (ACNS) and the Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) have donated four brand-new bicycles and helmets to the Ghana Prisons Service to support the growth of cycling within the security sector.
The brief presentation ceremony was held on Friday, 7th August 2026, at the Ghana Prisons Service Headquarters in Accra.
The gesture is part of ACNS and GCF’s joint campaign to expand cycling nationwide and encourage the formation of cycling teams within Ghana’s security agencies.
The donation comes after the Director-General of Prisons gave approval in principle for the creation of a Ghana Prisons Service Cycling Team. The approval was conveyed by Benedict Bob-Dery, Director of Prisons in charge of Operations, Finance and Management.
The Prisons Service described the support as timely and in line with its commitment to staff wellness and sports development.
Management indicated that the new team will be coordinated through the Director of Prisons in charge of Welfare, who supervises the Service’s Sports Unit.
The Prisons Cycling Team is set to debut at the Duku Festival Cycling Race on Sunday, 9th August 2026, in Osu.
The Ghana Police Service team, led by Chief Inspector Mawuli, has also confirmed its entry, setting up a thrilling contest between the two security services.
Talks are also underway to establish a Ghana Army Cycling Team following discussions with Major General (Rtd) Lord Ativor, Head of Security Coordination. If finalised, this will further increase the involvement of security institutions in the sport and promote cycling as a tool for fitness, discipline, unity, and national pride.
According to Shaaban Mohammed, Secretary-General of the Ghana Cycling Federation, the partnership with ACNS demonstrates a shared goal of building cycling from the grassroots and giving security institutions the platform to compete on the world stage of cycling.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Prisons Service, Deputy Director of Prisons Samuel Dontoh expressed gratitude to ACNS and GCF. He assured the organisations that the bicycles would be put to good use and expressed optimism about building a strong Prisons Cycling Team.
He said cycling had, until now, been an informal activity among interested officers, and that the donation would allow the Service to formalise training and build a team capable of competing both internally and, eventually, in national colours.
According to Deputy Director Dontoh, many Prisons officers take inspiration from Azumah Nelson, who represented the Service in sports very well.
Some officers of the Ghana Prisons Service and executives of the Ghana Cycling Federation were present at the ceremony.
