The HFC-Infanta Ride Out Malaria Cycling Tour has been launched last Friday at the head office of HFC Bank Ghana in Accra.

HFC Bank Ghana in collaboration with Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation are putting together the tour, aimed at raising funds for building a Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound.

The one-week cross country journey will start from September 15 to 23.

Twenty professional cyclists from the Velocity and the Gang Chain cycling groups will embark on 688 km journey from Tamale to Accra.

The cyclists will start form the location where the CHPS compound is expected to be built in Nyanshegu, a suburb of Tamale, Northern Region.

The cyclists would make stopovers at assigned HFC Branches nationwide to raise community awareness and raise funds from staff and customers.

The first stop of the tour will be at the Tamale branch of HFC Bank. Subsequently, the cyclists will journey to Techiman Branch and then down to the Kumasi. The team will be expected at the Koforidua branch from Kumasi and the tour will climax at the HFC Bank Head Office in Accra, North Ridge.

At each stopover, the Icon Cyclist will present the HFC-Infanta Malaria Prevention Manifesto to the Branch Manager.

The Manifesto will be the guiding principles and activities the branches are expected to do to ensure a clean Ghana and prevention of malaria. In addition to the presentation, a mini awareness float and durbar to raise funds will be held.

Anthony Joshua, Incoming Acting Managing Director of HFC, said the Bank is a socially responsible corporate institution and a Bank with a heart, adding that as part of their vision, they seek to building successful communities.

Anthony Joshua (Right)

Board Chairman, Charles Williams Zwennes, added ‘’We have the resource to make a difference in the fight against malaria in Ghana. Let’s restore hope to that pregnant woman who is not sure of her fate because she lacks quality health care. Let’s provide sound sleep to that child who is thinking of how he will battle with mosquito every night, let’s bring joy to that family whose child is dying of Malaria and above all, let’s bring back cleanliness into our community.’’

Charles Zwennes

Senior member of IMPF, Mrs Ophelia, expressed appreciation to HFC Bank Ghana for the support and called on all present to contribute to the aim to eradicate malaria in Ghana.

Also present was the Minister of Health, Hon. Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu, who lauded the initiative, pledging government’s support.

Hon. Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu

An amount of 50,000 cedis was raised on the night through the auction of polo shirts which will be used by the cyclists. 

The Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation (IMPF) is a non-profit non-Governmental Organization with membership drawn from Ghanaian women and women from different countries resident in Ghana.

Founded in February 2005, IMPF has a single goal of combatting malaria through collaboration with leaders in Malaria research and through educational and social projects across urban and rural Ghana.

The First Lady, Madam Rebecca Akufo-Addo is the leader of the foundation.