Joseph Tiekan, a 29-year-old professional teacher and cyclist from Jirapa Nambeg in the Upper West Region, is finalizing preparations for a solo cycling journey from Jirapa to Accra an 850 kilometers journey to draw national attention to two urgent challenges: the deplorable state of the Techiman–Wenchi–Sawla–Wa road and the rising tide of drug abuse among the region’s youth.
Tiekan, who is based in the Sene East District of the Bono East Region, first gained regional recognition after cycling from Yeji to Jirapa during the annual Bong-Ngo festival—a feat that earned him the title “cyclist” and the support of the Anwelle Foundation, which awarded him a brand-new Aloba motorbike in appreciation of his efforts. Since then, he has continued to ride across the region, using his bicycle as a platform for advocacy and community mobilization.
His upcoming campaign is driven by two pressing issues. First, the Techiman–Wenchi–Sawla–Wa corridor, a vital economic and social link between the Bono, Savannah, and Upper West regions, has long been in a state of disrepair, with commuters and transporters continuing to face hazardous conditions that impede trade, education, and healthcare access.
Second, drug abuse, particularly tramadol, has become a growing public health concern in the Upper West Region, with studies and reports highlighting high rates of use among young people in areas like Jirapa, threatening community health and productivity.
Tikan is currently finalizing logistics for the journey, which will see him cycle from Jirapa through key towns and communities before reaching Accra. Along the route, he plans to engage local leaders, youth groups, and media outlets to amplify the call for action on road rehabilitation and substance abuse prevention.
However, as he prepares to set off, he told Yiri News that no institution or individual has officially pledged support for the campaign. He remains hopeful and has extended an open invitation to NGOs, corporate bodies, and well-meaning Ghanaians to come on board before he embarks. “Our doors are open for individuals, organizations and NGOs that will like to support,” Tiekan said.
The condition of the Techiman–Wa road affects not just commuters but the entire economic fabric of northern Ghana, while substance abuse among youth threatens to undermine gains in education, employment, and public health.
Tiekan’s campaign seeks to place these issues back on the national agenda. Those interested in supporting his cause before he sets off can reach out through local media channels or community networks in Jirapa and surrounding districts. Every form of support can help ensure the success of this grassroots awareness drive.
