Ghana Prisons Service set to form cycling team after ACNS, GCF donation
The Ghana Prisons Service is set to establish its own cycling team after receiving four new bicycles and helmets from the Africa Cycling Network Satellite (ACNS) and the Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF).
The equipment was presented to the Prisons Service at a brief ceremony held on Friday, 7 August 2026, at the Ghana Prisons Service Headquarters in Accra.
The donation forms part of a joint initiative by ACNS and the GCF to expand cycling across Ghana and encourage security agencies to establish cycling teams.
The move follows an approval in principle by the Director-General of Prisons for the formation 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 donation as timely, saying it supports its commitment to staff wellness and sports development.
Management said the new cycling team will be coordinated through the Director of Prisons in charge of Welfare, who supervises the Service's Sports Unit.
The newly formed team is expected to make its competitive debut at the Duku Festival Cycling Race in Osu on Sunday, 9 August.
The Ghana Police Service, led by Chief Inspector Mawuli, has also confirmed its participation in the race, setting the stage for an encounter between the two security institutions.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway to establish a Ghana Army Cycling Team following engagements with Major General (Rtd) Lord Ativor, Head of Security Coordination.
If completed, the initiative would further increase the participation of Ghana's security institutions in cycling and promote the sport 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 reflects a shared commitment to developing cycling from the grassroots and creating opportunities for security institutions to compete at national and international levels.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Prisons Service, Deputy Director of Prisons Samuel Dontoh expressed gratitude to ACNS and the GCF for the support.
He assured the donors that the bicycles would be put to good use and expressed optimism that the initiative would help build a strong and competitive Prisons cycling team.
Deputy Director Dontoh noted that cycling had previously been largely an informal activity among officers with an interest in the sport.
He said the donation would now provide an opportunity for the Service to formalise training and develop a team capable of competing in domestic competitions and, eventually, representing Ghana at international events.
He also said several Prisons officers had been inspired by the sporting achievements of boxing legend Azumah Nelson, who represented the Service during his career.
Officials of the Ghana Prisons Service and executives of the Ghana Cycling Federation were present at the presentation ceremony.