Benjamin Opoku
Location:
Dwenase, Eastern Region
Dwenase is a village of about 2,500 people situated 2.5 kilometers from the main north-south highway of Ghana called the Accra-Kumasi road.
Group Structure:
Ben, who was one of the five original members of the Abompe Bamboosero group, is the persistent force behind this shop. While Ben searches high and low for who will become his trustworthy and skilled co-workers, he accepts after-school assistance from his 11 year old little brother, 'Yao'. Ben has been delighted by the loyalty and patience Yao has exhibited as a helper. For Yao it comes naturally as he intends to become a Bamboosero post-schooling!
Workshop environment:
Ben decided to start his own shop in mid-2009. He knew that logistics and financing wouldn't be easy but, forged ahead towards his dream of running his own Bamboosero shop.
Determining his shop location, location, location was a challenge. You see, Ben is ½ way through a 4 year vocational engineering degree; he bunks at school which is located 1 hour away from his village. The nagging dilemma was whether to rent space at school or commute back and forth to the village while being a student?
With of transport of workbenches, etc, being prohibitively expensive and with his newly inspired long-term planning skills in place, he chose to setup shop in his village so that he's already prepared to continue after he finishes school. He now commutes home on weekends to his shop which is under the watchful eye of his mother and little brother.
Each workday Ben pulls workbenches, tools, drills, etc out into his front yard where he works 12 hour days.
Background:
Ben found Bamboosero when he was at a crossroads in his life. Pondering his options in the village which, at the time felt like few, he sought his chance at becoming a Bamboosero to no abandon. Since his initial exposure to Bamboosero Ben has seized any and every opportunity to attain further bicycle related training be it in frame building, mechanics, or bike touring/guiding.
Interview with Ben in Ghana
Ben's business:
Ben has taken some calculated risks to attain his current status. To leverage start-up funds for his workshop he turned to friends he made being a tour guide. A loan of a few hundred dollars has enabled him to setup benches, vise, drill and some other fundamentals that must be in place for his shop.
Through his Bamboosero frame sales he plans to pay back his loan and pay for his last two years of school. Support Ben and his efforts to pursue his dreams by buying a frame from him!