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Monday, May 5, 2014

Bamboo bikes project in Ghana attracts foreign investors

Foreign investors are buying into prospects of the bamboo bike industry in Ghana.

The Yonso Project, which is currently accessing such investment, is enthused at receiving a boost in the assembling of bamboo bikes.

The rural community social enterprise at Apaah in the Mampong Municipality of Ashanti empowers the youth to manufacture high quality multipurpose bamboo products, especially handcrafted bicycle frames.

Kwabena Danso, Executive Director of the project, will not disclose how much funds the project in receiving, but says the intervention has whipped up its workshop expansion and procurement of additional equipment.

The production capacity has tripled in the last couple of months – twelve bikes are being assembled daily.

“Currently we are selling on the German market and before you can sell on that market, you need to ensure your products meet international standards and fortunately for us, all the products that were taken there sold without any problem, which means we can sell in any other European market,” noted Mr. Danso.
 
The local bamboo bike industry is emerging to meet demands of export markets in Europe and the US.

The growing international interest is an opportunity for Ghana in employment creation and foreign exchange earnings, says Mr. Danso.

According to projections, Ghana can generate a billion dollar revenue annually from the export of value added bamboo and rattan products.

Bamboo bikes are recognized to be environmentally friendly – compared to the production of traditional steel bicycles, bamboo bikes require less electricity and no hazardous chemicals.

The bikes also have the potential to deliver a sustainable and affordable form of transportation that satisfies local needs.
 
The Yonso project has a marketing plan to expand the product’ reach locally to contribute to the transportation needs of the rural economy.

Mr. Danso is entreating local investors to invest in the social enterprise to benefit from the emerging industry.


Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh 

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