Emmanuel Adjei has cycled a remarkable 10,000km, crossing into Ghana today, on Wednesday 17th September, after a remarkable 103 day journey.
The epic journey back to his home community in Teshie that Mr Adjei describes as “the mission of his life” began on the 7th June in Munich, where Emmanuel lives and works as a sports scientist.
Since then, Emmanuel has cycled through 15 countries, including Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ivory Coast.
In what he believes to be the first intercontinental cycling journey of its kind by an African, Emmanuel has tackled the steep mountain roads of the Pyrenees, navigated around flocks of sheep in Spain, traversed the Moroccan Atlas Mountains and cycled through the desert in Morocco and Mauritania.
At night he has set up camp in an array of variety places — next to lakes, on the side of an abandoned dam and in the desert. He has the opportunity to recharge and refuel in the homes of generous strangers, often gathering a street crowd as he cycled through hundreds of communities along the way.
Whilst battling through challenges and unforeseen circumstances such as heavy rain, punctures and visa complications, Emmanuel has remained motivated through a deep commitment to his vision of leveraging this experience to advance access to quality education in Ghana, believing in the transformative power of education.
Throughout the journey, his mind has not only focused on reaching his destination safely, but has been set on achieving his goal of raising €100,000 in support of EduSpots’ network of 50 community-led learning spaces. The hubs named ‘Spots’ are led by over 400 local volunteers named Catalysts, stretched across 11 regions of Ghana.
A Catalyst leading Akumadan Spot, Adu Boahen Carlos, who also chairs the network’s Catalyst Committee, commented: “We wish Emmanuel all the best with the final stretch of this incredible journey to Accra. All of EduSpots’ Catalysts are behind you. Let’s turn your passion into education for everyone!”
One of the learning spaces involved is Teshie Community Library in Emmanuel’s hometown, with EduSpots recently signing a new MOU with the Ghana Library Authority to bring together GhLA library services with EduSpots’ activities and resources.
Indeed, Emmanuel will be ending his journey in Teshie, where he will be greeted by his family, the EduSpots team, Ghana Library Authority staff and wider supporters at an event in Teshie Community Library at 10am on Saturday 20th September.
Emmanuel has already raised €16,382 with the money raised supporting the expansion of EduSpots’ network and enriching the quality of training and resources. This will enable more 10,000 learners in underserved communities to have further access to locally-driven, cultural-rooted and future-ready education.
Emmanuel Adjei comments from the Ivory Coast: “This is a journey to build, inspire and explore; raising funds for EduSpots whilst championing cycling and adventure across the African continent and beyond. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey so far – we welcome all final donations to this campaign via the donation link.”
Emeritus Professor Gloria Agyemang, Chair of Trustees of EduSpots comments: “On behalf of the whole EduSpots network, I send our congratulations to Emmanuel on completing this inspiring and historic journey in support of EduSpots’ network of learning spaces. Your perseverance, commitment and vision is remarkable!”
Emmanuel has been cheered along by the Bayern Munich footballer Glódís Perla, snowboarder Leon Beckhaus and athletes Jana Lakner and Alexander Askovic amongst many others including Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, EduSpots’ Patron. Individuals and groups have shown their support by setting up their own ‘Cycling in Tandem’ groups.
Join us in supporting Emmanuel as he continues cycling back to his roots in Accra. You can make a donation via the Raisely page found here: https://biketomyroots.raiselysite.com/ or by EduSpots’ Mobile Money with the reference ‘bike’ to number 0595087801.
Emmanuel plans to reach Independence Square on Friday 19th September by 4pm, when he welcomes supporters to join him in celebrating the end of this historic journey.
Supporters are also welcome to join the EduSpots team at an event at Teshie Community Library at 10am on Saturday 20th September.
For all enquiries email info@eduspots.org or contact Isaac Kobby Ayibor, EduSpots’ Communications and Digital Skills Manager on +233535207885. You can follow the Bike2MyRoots campaign on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bike2myroots
About EduSpots: EduSpots connects, trains and equips local changemakers to ignite future-ready education through spaces named ‘Spots’. See www.eduspots.org for more information, or follow @eduspots online.
