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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