A 29 year old teacher, Tiekan Joseph, is undertaking an ambitious bicycle journey from Jirapa in the Upper West Region to Accra as part of an awareness campaign aimed at drawing attention to the growing dangers of drug and substance abuse among young people.
Mr Tiekan, who teaches at Hausakope Presbyterian Primary School in the Sene East District of the Bono East Region, began the journey on August 1, 2026, with the intention of using cycling to communicate a message of prevention, responsible decision making and hope to young people across the country.
He is expected to reach Accra on Sunday, August 9, bringing the latest stage of an unusual advocacy effort that has combined physical endurance with public education.
The teacher’s decision to embark on the journey followed an earlier cycling expedition that took him from Yeji in the Bono East Region to the Upper West Region in April. That journey was undertaken in connection with the Bong Ngo Festival and generated considerable attention for the event.
The experience subsequently encouraged Mr Tiekan to use cycling as a broader platform for promoting social causes that affect communities and young people.
As part of his campaign against drug and substance abuse, he has travelled through communities including Nadowli, Babile and Konzokala before returning to Jirapa and commencing his latest journey towards the national capital.
Mr Tiekan said the current expedition should not be viewed simply as a long distance cycling exercise, but rather as a public awareness initiative intended to encourage young people to recognise the consequences associated with drug and substance abuse and make choices that safeguard their health and future.
He is calling for stronger and more sustained public education on the dangers associated with drug use, particularly among young people who may be exposed to harmful substances through peer influence, social pressure and other circumstances.
According to him, young people must be encouraged to consider the long term consequences of their decisions and pursue choices that protect their wellbeing, livelihoods and opportunities for the future.
Beyond his campaign against drug and substance abuse, Mr Tiekan is also using the journey to draw attention to road infrastructure and road safety across Ghana.
He has specifically appealed to authorities to accelerate work on the Wa Techiman road project, which he believes could improve travelling conditions, enhance safety for road users, facilitate the movement of people and goods and contribute to economic activity along the corridor.
For Mr Tiekan, the bicycle journey therefore represents both a personal endurance challenge and an opportunity to promote issues that he believes require greater public attention.
He hopes his initiative will encourage other young Ghanaians to identify constructive ways of using their talents, interests and abilities to address social challenges and contribute positively to their communities.
His journey has consequently brought together advocacy for healthier lifestyles, safer roads and youth participation in social development, demonstrating how individual initiatives can be used to communicate important public messages beyond conventional platforms.
SOURCE: Citinewsroom
