By Lucy Mawufemor Kpeglo
Dennis Apusika has completed a 27-day walk from Bolgatanga to Accra to advocate for the construction of a sports stadium in the Upper East Region and to promote sports development and tourism.
Speaking in an interview with Lifestyle TV, Dennis said the journey began as a personal pledge following a football match between PSG and Chelsea during the FIFA Club World Cup.
“On the 13th of July, I went to my Facebook wall and wrote, if Chelsea beats PSG, I will walk from Bolga to Accra. That is how the journey of walking from Bolga to Accra started,” he explained.
He noted that although he initially doubted himself, he later reflected on the lack of a proper sports stadium in the Upper East Region and how it has limited the progress of young football talents in the area. This, he said, motivated him to go ahead with the walk.
“Initially, I was doubting myself that maybe I could walk from Bolga to Accra. But one day, sitting in my room, I realised that in the Upper East Region, the state of our sports is not encouraging. So I said to myself, let me walk to Accra, advocate for a sports stadium and also use this walk to promote sports development and tourism,” he added.
Dennis said the walk began on July 22 from Bolgatanga and took him through several towns, including Walewale, Savelugu, Tamale, Yendi, and Bimbila, among others.
He mentioned that the journey came with several challenges, especially harsh weather conditions that sometimes forced him to pause and continue the next day.
“When I got to Sibi, due to rain, I had to hold on until the next day before continuing the journey to Siri,” he recalled.
On Friday, August 15, Dennis arrived in Accra and made a stop at Dodowa, where he announced his arrival.
He revealed that throughout the journey, he received various forms of support, especially in terms of hospitality and personal safety.
“The support came in many forms, but I will limit it to the hospitality of the people. This walk was solo, so many people supported me by acting as my security along the way. Farmers, truck drivers, community members, and many others monitored me.
Also, I couldn’t seek sponsorship as the walk was impromptu, but individuals came to my aid as some offered to help,” he said.
Now that the walk is over, Dennis is calling for more support and hopes that his effort will bring about change and development in the Upper East Region.
