An impressive cycling display from the inmates of the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC) in Accra saw Evans Adams, a young offender at the SCC and a bronze level participant of the Head of State Award Scheme (HoSA) emerge winner of the maiden sporting & AJ event dubbed ‘The Ghana Cycling Challenge’ under the ‘breaking the cycle of crime project’ held at the premises of the senior correctional center in Accra Roman Ridge.
The Ghana Cycling Challenge is designed to help and challenge young participants of the Award Programme to fulfill their Adventurous Journey as part of their development. It’s also meant to promote cycling as a sports, leisure, business, physical and well being among young people.
The ‘Breaking the Cycle of Crime’ is a reformation and reintegration programme a under the auspices of the Head of State Award Scheme in partnership with the Ghana Prison Service with funding from the Direct Aid Programme of the Australian High Commission.
The project has inmates being taken through various vocational skills development, voluntary services, physical recreation, psychological rehabilitation and support.
The main combatants for the cycling challenge boys and HoSA participants from the Accra Academy HOSA Award Centre, the Ghana Cycling Federation and hosts, inmates of the SCC.
It was a 3.4km race over two and half hectic laps inside the premises and the average speed of over 14.33km/hr registered was enough indication that the winners were ready for the Sport.
The Race, which was not and brisk saw the hosts brimming with speed and confidence over the last lap and eventually emerged winners with rapturous celebration from the entire inmates Team.
Master Prince Appiah of Accra Academy HoSA Centre came through the second spot with yet another inmate bouncing through in third place.
In a fierce battle for who is who in the volleyball match between the SCC HoSA Team and the Accra Academy HoSA Team, the SCC HoSA team emerged winners, beating the Accra Academy HoSA volleyball team in a 3-1 set.
Executive Director of the Head of State Award Schele, Mr. Peter Akai Anum, in his remarks, expressed his elation at the event and intimated that “Recognition is key and that this event would further lift up the morale of the inmates”.
Mr. Peter Akai Anum also mentioned that cycling could be used as a means of business within our communities and so “we need to encourage ourselves to ride”, especially the youth.
The Executive Director also implored corporate bodies to partner with the Head of State Award Scheme – Ghana to help reform and reintegrate young offenders back into society. He further called on Corporate entires and all stakeholders to come to the aid of the facility as the center lacks equipments and other basic things which would help in the development and training of the inmates.
Winners of the cycling event and volleyball activities received cowbell Products and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were the OIC of the centre, the Managing Director of Labadi Beach Hotel, Mr. David Eduaful, the Secretary General of the Ghana Cycling Federation Shaaban Mohammed, officials of Promasidor, HoSA Board of Trustees, HoSA Brand Ambassadors amongst others.
The collaboration between the Ghana Cycling Federation, the Head of State Award Scheme – Ghana and the Ghana Prison Service is key for the development of cycling as a sport and to further bridge the gap of neglect especially between the inmates and the spacial world as part of their reintegration.
The Ghana Cycling Federation is relishing in the involvement of inmates who excel in the Sport at next year’s Africa Games to be hosted by Ghana.
Dr. Juliet Tenge, a Trustee of HoSA on behalf of the Board Chair and the board, thanked the Ghana Cycling Federation, Promasidor Gh Ltd, producers of Cowbell, Labadi Beach Hotel and others for their support to have the maiden edition of this games successfully.
Credit: Dennis Kweku Moore
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