Philadelphia, PA – The African Bicycle Contribution Foundation (ABCF), a Philadelphia-
based 501(c)3 corporation, today announced an itinerary of events for its Three-City Tour activities, which
will take place September 18-25, here, and will focus on the achievements of two female Ghanaian
business and government leaders. The events are designed to raise funding and visibility for the year-old
organization’s mission of purchasing and distributing free, Ghanaian-made, bamboo bicycles for under-
resourced, transport-dependent, students, small farmers and healthcare workers in rural Ghana.
As part of the week-long program, the Foundation has invited Bernice Dapaah, CEO and founder, Ghana
Bamboo Bikes Initiative, and the Hon. Elizabeth K.T. Sackey, deputy minister, Greater Accra Region, and
former Ghanaian parliament member, to visit Philadelphia and participate in meetings, speaking
engagements and cultural activities, here, in New York City, and in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area.
Since September of last year, ABCF (africanbike.org) has generated funds for the distribution of 140 of the
eco-friendly bamboo bikes made by Ms. Dapaah’s Kumasi, Ghana-based company, in five locations across
the West African country, including Accra, Kumasi, Koforidua, Sekyere Afram District and the Brong-Ahafo
Region, in Central Ghana.
Despite Ghana’s expanding economic strength and Sub-Saharan-leading political stability, the Ghanaian
Statistical Service reports that 30 percent of Ghanaians don’t have a school within their immediate
community, and according to UNESCO, young, rural Ghanaian girls’ school attendance increases by 600
percent with access to bicycles. In addition, another recent study points out that small Ghanaian farmers
with access to bicycles reduced their daily commute time to marketplace by 45 percent and increased their
family incomes by 23 percent.
In addition to its free bicycle distribution program, ABCF is also committed to establishing technology-
facilitated information exchanges between students and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and Ghana, and to
expanding trade relationships between Philadelphia and Accra, including opportunities for the export of Ms.
Dapaah’s Eco-Ride bicycles from Ghana to Philadelphia, for national distribution to cycling enthusiasts
through U.S.-based bike shops.
In that regard, there have been recent discussions with the Mayor’s Commission for African and Caribbean
Immigrant Affairs, chaired by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, about establishing a Sister City, or enhanced
trade, agreement between Philadelphia and Ghana’s capital city, Accra. According to the Delaware River
Port Authority, imports from Ghana, through the Ports of Philadelphia, now stand at $111 million, annually.
According to ABCF’s Executive Director Patricia Marshall Harris, the itinerary for the Three-City Tour includes:
– Mon., September 18: A fundraiser/panel presentation, “Why Women Should Have a Seat at the Table,” featuring Ms. Dapaah, the Hon. Mrs. Sackey, Ms. Gerianne DiPiano, CEO, FemmePharma Global Health Inc., moderated by attorney/journalist Renée Chenault Fattah. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/why-women-should-have-a-seat-at-the-table-apanel-discussion-tickets-37137285621
– Tues., September 19: Ms. Dapaah and the Hon. Mrs. Sackey will visit New York City for meetings and participation in a media tour.
– Wed., September 20: Ms. Dapaah and the Hon. Mrs. Sackey will be featured speakers at a “young professionals” fundraiser event. Location: Ambrosia Food Group, 114 Market Street, Philadelphia, 6:00-9:00 pm http://www.idttpwp4abcf.eventbrite.com/
– Thurs., September 21: Ms. Dapaah and the Hon. Mrs. Sackey will receive a citation from Philadelphia City Council. Location: Philadelphia City Hall, 4th Floor, Council Chambers, 11:00am
Ms. Dapaah and the Hon. Mrs. Sackey will be keynote presenters at a fundraising reception for Philadelphia regional leaders. Mistress of Ceremonies: Renee Chenault Fattah. Location: Independence Blue Cross headquarters, 1901 Market Street, 44th floor, Philadelphia, 5:00-7:00pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/african-bicycle-contribution-foundation-fundraiserreception-registration-37244400003
– Fri., September 22: Meetings in Washington, D.C., including Dapaah/Sackey speaking engagements at Johns Hopkins University. Potential meeting with the Ghanaian Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah.
– Sat., September 23: Ms. Dapaah and the Hon. Mrs. Sackey to attend the Second Annual National Homowo Festival, a Ghanaian cultural event, hosted by Dr. Samuel Quartey. Location: North George’s Hill, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, 2:00pm
– Sun., September 24: Ms. Dapaah and the Hon. Mrs. Sackey will be featured guests at a fundraising event sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Omega Omega Chapter. Location: District 1199C Union Hall, 1319 Locust Street, Philadelphia 4:006:00pm
– Tues., September 26: Ms. Dapaah and the Hon. Mrs. Sackey return to Ghana.
According to Ms. Harris, the Philadelphia area’s relationship with Ghana is longstanding, with substantial numbers of Philadelphians tracing their ancestry to that part of West Africa. She also pointed out that it is significant that Ghana’s first democratically elected president, in 1957, was Kwame Nkrumah, who attended Lincoln University, just 33 miles outside of the City.
For further information about ABCF, please contact the ABCF office: info@africanbike.org.
