By Belinda Nketia
SRC Secretary of Tamale Technical University, Ibrahim Jazil Abanga cycled nearly 600 kilometres from Tamale to Accra, accompanied by a team of supporters and his manager Goody Gudy Gandaa. The expedition was designed to promote national unity, youth empowerment and the prioritisation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Ibrahim and members of his team shared the story of the journey when they appeared on the GTV Sports+ Studio 5 Morning Sports Show hosted by Belinda Nketia.
For Ibrahim, the ride was never meant to be a stunt.
“I had a dream of advocating for youth empowerment, national unity and the prioritisation of technical vocational education,” he said. “So I had to find a way to put that dream out.”
The timing of the expedition also carried symbolic meaning. With Ghana preparing to mark its independence anniversary, Ibrahim believed the journey could spark conversations about how young people can actively contribute to national development.
Understanding the Theme: “Pedal for National Unity, Youth Empowerment and TVET”
The theme: “Pedal for National Unity, Youth Empowerment and TVET” reflects the broader message the Tamale Technical University student hoped to convey through the journey from Tamale to Accra.
For Ibrahim, the advocacy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was central to the campaign. Speaking during the interview, he explained that technical education in Ghana is often misunderstood and not presented in an attractive way to young people.
“Those of us who find value in it know how attractive it is,” he said, explaining that the challenge is how to make more young people recognise the opportunities within technical education.
He also compared Ghana’s situation with many developed countries, noting that their progress is largely built on strong foundations in technical and vocational skills.
“When we look at developed countries, their foundations are built on technical vocational education,” he said. “That such systems produce more skilled hands and labour to drive innovation and productivity.
According to him, Ghana must adopt a similar mindset if it hopes to accelerate development. Prioritising TVET would help produce more skilled professionals capable of building industries, solving practical problems and contributing directly to national growth.
Ibrahim, his manager and his other 6 team members
The Journey
The expedition was initially planned as a six-day ride, but the team reached Accra in five days.
They set off from Tamale on March 1, with rest stops in Buipe, Techiman, Kumasi and Nkawkaw before heading through Nsawam and finally arriving in Accra on March 5 2026
Safety remained a priority throughout the journey. Because Ghana’s highways are not designed for cyclists, the team used two escort vehicles, one in front and one behind, to shield Ibrahim from heavy traffic, particularly long-distance trucks moving along the highway.
The planning itself had started months earlier. According to his manager, the idea had existed for a long time but lacked the necessary support.
The conversation that finally triggered the expedition happened in December of the previous year, when the team began organising logistics, rest points and media support for the journey.
Beyond Ibrahim’s cycling effort, the team handled navigation, logistics and documentation of the expedition. One member even served as what Ibrahim jokingly described as their “Google Map,” directing the route throughout the journey.
Sponsors including Trillium Ghana, Aleo Discoveries Group, Crackstones Records and Dastana Collectionssupported the expedition with equipment, logistics and resources.
Challenges Along the Route
Cycling nearly 600 kilometres came with both physical and logistical challenges.
Ibrahim described the weather changes, long hours on the road and the presence of heavy trucks as some of the most difficult parts of the journey.
The mental aspect of the ride also proved demanding.
His team had to constantly encourage him through moments of fatigue, while reminding him to maintain a manageable pace rather than pushing beyond his limits.
Finding accommodation along the route also became difficult at some rest stops because the team had limited contacts in some towns.
Despite these hurdles, Ibrahim says the sense of purpose behind the ride kept him going.
“I was on a journey with purpose,” he said.
Cycling as Advocacy
The expedition carried the theme “Pedal for National Unity, Youth Empowerment and TVET.”
For Ibrahim, cycling provided a unique way to communicate several ideas at once.
He explained that the bicycle itself represents technical knowledge, a symbol for the promotion of technical education. Building, repairing and maintaining a bicycle requires mechanical understanding, which reflects the kind of practical skills that TVET institutions promote.
Cycling also carries health and environmental benefits. It encourages physical fitness and offers a cleaner alternative to motorised transport, which helps reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable mobility.
The ride also carried a national unity message. Manager Goody also added that many people in southern Ghana perceive the north as distant or difficult to visit. The journey was meant to challenge that perception. If a cyclist could travel from the north to the south of the country, he argued, then distance should not be seen as a barrier separating Ghanaians.
Arrival in Accra and Engagement with Government
The expedition concluded at Jubilee House, which hosted Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebrations.
Interestingly, Ibrahim revealed that when he chose Jubilee House as his destination, he did not initially know that the independence celebrations would take place there.
While in Accra, the team also met with officials from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to discuss how the initiative could align with youth and sports development efforts.
According to Ibrahim, the engagement served as an introduction to the vision behind the journey, and a follow-up meeting has been scheduled for further discussions.
A Message to the Youth
Beyond the cycling feat itself, Ibrahim hopes the expedition will encourage young people to pursue their ideas with determination.
“We should learn to take risks, be innovative, feel the fear and just do it anyway,” he said.
His manager echoed a similar message, drawing from his own experience. After completing nursing training in 2021 and facing delays in employment, he turned to photography as a technical skill, which now sustains him.
For the team, the message is simple: skills matter, dreams require action and young people must take initiative in shaping their future.
