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August 18th, I passed through airport customs, immigration, more bag searches, until I sat in the red plastic chairs overlooking the airplane yard. I called each member of Ability Bikes on the phone, to let them know I am safely beginning my journey, to hear their voices, and to acknowledge with them that I’m leaving their country, but that our work will continue, that I’m so proud of them, that I’ll call them when I reach the US. Now sitting in the café in Somerville, I reflect, recount, and project.

Back in July, Ability Bikes experienced the smoothest container clearing to date. Working Bikes Cooperative in Chicago sent us a box of 520 bikes, primarily 26” Mountain Bikes, our product with highest demand. Ability Bikes hired a private clearing agent at an acceptable rate. Since Ability Bikes was not yet registered as a cooperative, there was no certificate, no legal entity and therefore no tax id number. Emmanuel agreed to let Ability Bikes use the name and number of his organization EEFSA, which was a tremendous support at a critical time. The container got shipped June 2nd. Around the time we were expecting the Bill of Lading (original container document) by courier, I called Martin (EEFSA administrator) to ask if it’s in. He said not yet, but that he’ll let me know when it comes. I relax, but call every few days to check. Not yet, still time. Wednesday evening comes, he calls, it’s in. I come to Accra the next day, meet the clearing agent, pick the Bill of Lading, send it right to the destination inspection company to value the goods detailed on the bill. Submitted, this could take a week. Timing is still good, the container is due to arrive in about 5 days. The agent planted a few critical bribes which we gladly provided. 5:00 pm the same day, I’m in the car traveling back to Koforidua, and the agent calls me, and tells me its done. I say are you kidding me?! Its true. We were ready to clear before the container even hit the ground.

The next week, the day the ship docked, we got the invoice, processed the customs fees, paid them, paid the shipping company and cleared the container two days later. It took two days because we were too early, the container was not yet ready. I waited for something dire to happen and it didn’t, we rock. This last container clearing required very little work from me actually, because Torsutsey (Ability Bikes administrator) was the primary Ability Bikes representative in the process. I explained to him the expected process, guided him through the paperwork and the Tema offices, he carried the money, dealt with the clearing agent and did all of the talking. I actually got pulled away from the port due to other responsibilities of working on my visa in Accra, and on the last day because an overzealous port security guard saw me with my camera out. I then spent three hours in the office of the head of security explaining that I don’t have the hundred dollars I was being fined and that he should let me delete the footage taken related to the port rather than confiscate my camera. Finally, due to his need to go to a meeting, he agreed to fine me 40 dollars for indecent behavior, let me delete the footage, and take my camera go. I got out, met up with Torsutsey, the container just out, on the truck, we got it. Took it up to Koforidua.

The next morning, we meet at the shop at 6am, and started the unloading. In order to fit a higher quantity of bicycles in the container, Working Bikes removes the front wheels and packs the bikes tight, the wheels fitting in remaining space. 520 bikes, mostly adult mountain. For the unloading, Ability Bikes had their first official Ghanaian volunteer, Ben from Abompe, a bamboo bike framebuilder, currently in secondary school for mechanical engineering, a great friend. Ben took the helm inside the container, in the heat of dis-integrating the density of bikes and wheels. Some of the paid assistants conveyed bikes to the mouth of the container, with Sule and Torsu just outside bringing the bikes and wheels down to the ground. Then other paid assistants, the pseudo-volunteer bike sellers, and myself carted the bikes back to the courtyard next to the shop. Agyen was on front wheel organizing duty, and did an awesome job. The bikes were arranged and piled by wheelsize. Once unpacked, we sorted the bikes for the shop and the bikes for the wholesale. The wholesale then commenced, with Maud in the chair, calling the names, Torsu in support, Mirriam, and Julius in general security and support roles. The wholesale quickly erupted into the usual arguments over the prices, which resulted in a heated negotiation that inevitably turned in acceptance, AB standing firm of some prices, relaxing on others. The bike selection was orchestrated by Maud, who maintained control despite arguments among the sellers. I supported Maud and Torsu when the tension became overly challenging. Then, almost suddenly, the wholesale became peaceful, orderly and efficient. Every bike seller just accepted how it was going, ceased to forcefully exert influence, and just moved with our system, which we set up very well. Once each seller had their bikes, we put front wheels on them, matched to the quality of the bikes. Late in the day and we were done. We sold about 230 bikes and fetched an average of 30 GHC per bike, which has consistently been the wholesale average, making over GHC 7,000. This money went right toward paying back the bicycle sellers who made advanced payments helping Ability Bikes to clear the container, toward paying back the debt to the landlord, and to paying back the start-up loan made by Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah (which is now more than 50% paid). The remaining money was kept to pay for other things – internet connection for the front store (critical for the physically challenged administrators, because traveling to the internet café each day is unrealistic), the purchase of new parts in the Accra market for resale at Ability Bikes, the payment to the sign-painters for making our signboards and painting a mural in the front store, and the Grand Opening Ceremony that we held just a few weeks ago on August 8th. Major thanks to Working Bikes Cooperative for helping Ability Bikes to pay these critical expenses, leaving the business with roughly 290 bikes in store for individual build-ups and sales, building the functional operations of the business.

Since the wholesale, Ability Bikes engaged in continued basic operations, with a focus on developing continually more effective systems of operation. The mechanics built bikes, Maud and Torsu sold them. As a group, we worked on improving workshop/retail store communication regarding bike sales and repairs as well as developing a paperwork system for any customer bikes (sold bikes / repairs), we established thorough systems of controlling the quality of build-ups and repairs, and set bike pricing based on bike quality and the local market.

As another push for operational efficiency, I focused on workshop leadership. My advice to the workers was that the shop needs leadership and some form of structured management. Some person must be responsible for scheduling bike builds and repairs, managing the flow of customer bikes through the workshop, organizing the shop space, making sure that every done bike is fully done, controlling quality. The alternative is that these responsibilities can be shared cooperatively. If all the workers communicate well, take initiative, and hold each other accountable, then maybe they can cooperate effectively enough to make the shop run well without a person in any formal management role. At subsequent meetings, the workers decided to continue working cooperatively, one member one vote. They unanimously don’t want a boss and don’t want structured management. I told them that this will work only if they can cooperate and communicate well and if the rate of production and quality are maintained at high levels. The efficiency and effectiveness of the workshop and sales operations relates directly to the amount of money the business will be able to make. At this point in the business, making money is not optional, its necessary, its survival. The workers are now independent. Now is their time to work, to cooperate, to build the business, to make the money to pay for the extra storage space and shipping obligations.

Ability Bikes is working toward renting two additional stores for extra bike storage. The two stores directly adjacent to the workshop are available. The landlord has agreed to rent the stores to Ability Bikes and to receive the 10-year lease deposit gradually. (It is customary in Ghana to receive this deposit in full before keys are given to the renter.) The landlord has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to support Ability Bikes to grow and to have an ideal workspace. Ability Bikes has made a small deposit on the stores, but is waiting for the arrival of the next BNB container to make a more substantial payment. Once the two stores are acquired, Ability Bikes will have the capacity to easily store at least one full container of bikes. Once the storage space is fully paid, Ability Bikes will be freed from the necessity of wholesaling bikes upon container arrival – the wholesales are currently required to generate bulk cash for large expenses while reducing the quantity of bikes so that they can fit in the current storage space. Long-term vision: Ability Bikes will have two workshop stores fleshed out with workbenches, tools, parts and fluid bike storage as well as two stores for storage that will have the capacity to pack down a full container (and in times of less bikes, to organize bikes accessibly), a concrete patio with roof extending the length of all four stores enabling space for outdoor bike organizing, bike parking, and space for outdoor workbenches and bikestands, all with 6-8 mechanics employed. Ability Bikes will also have one street-side retail store and office with at least 2 employed administrators, stocked with bikes inside and out, with bikes on display packed along the driveway leading to the workshop, drawing more customers, making more sales. Ability Bikes is considering the possibility of establishing additional sales locations (as funds allow) to strategically increase the number of bikes sold in one day, which would include accepting additional salespeople into the cooperative. More jobs for physically challenged people could potentially result in the build-up and sale of bicycles at a significantly higher rate and more overall profit for the business.

Finances will be very tight for the next six months. All of the shop developments are important, but more importantly, Ability Bikes needs to focus on paying shipping costs to Bikes Not Bombs, which will be sending another container to Ability Bikes in the end of August, to arrive in Ghana mid-October. Finances must be regulated, production goals must be met, budgets must be kept.

One week later:
The next BNB container for Ability Bikes Cooperative has been packed, and now is sitting in the yard of Building N to be picked up tomorrow morning by the trucker, to be shipped on September 8th, and to arrive in Ghana in mid-October! Thanks to all of the relentless BNB volunteers who consistently make this happen! I’ve communicated with Maud and Torsu regarding the payment schedule for the overseas shipping costs due to Bikes Not Bombs, and they have committed. We will be in discussion regarding a fiscally responsible way of dealing with the pending rent payments on the additional storage space.

I’ll back-track briefly.

Ability Bikes now has signboards and a beautiful mural. Toward the end of July, Ability Bikes contracted out some local artists to make signboards and a mural. We were originally going to print a digital signboard, but realized that in a short period of time the color would fade. The alternative is sticker cut-outs for the letters over high quality paint that will retain color for many years. We went with that, sent the sheet metal and square tube to manpower for welding, who was still working off a trade we made with him. As a way of receiving his services while not having a lot of cash flow, we traded him the Schwinn tandem for his welding services. Now his two children ride it to school each morning. The signboards then went to the artists. One will be posted along the main street above the retail store, and one will get hung high above the competing signboards on the side street leading to the workshop. There was a great open wall directly behind the desk in the retail store, perfect for an inspiring mural. Together, we put our ideas together, made some rough sketches for the artists and they set to work. The idea was an empowering image that is beautiful and communicates dignity and strength, with bicycles and tools. We took a picture of Agyen in a wheelchair, arms stretched out, strong, to use as the model. Over the course of two weeks the mural was completed. There was also a bare white wall on the carpentry shop right next to the workshop that was perfect for a large painted sign. We asked permission from the main carpenter and before we finished asking the question he responded: absolutely. That sign was painted, and now Ability Bikes is seen from the street, bold and bright.

Just after the signboards and mural were completed, Ability Bikes held the grand opening ceremony, a gathering of supporters, friends and family to celebrate the development of the business, and to publicly consider its nature, as owned and operated by physically challenged people. It was also a time to publicly show gratitude to Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah and the members of his organization for the role that they played in supporting the development of Ability Bikes Cooperative. This role included initial project development work in Koforidua, such as identifying the stores and negotiating the lease with the landlord as well as offering a business start-up loan, and general project support such as letting Ability Bikes clear containers using the name and tax id number of EEFSA until Ability Bikes gets registered and gets and their own tax id number (Ability Bikes is now registered, but it has been a beurocratic challenge to acquire a tax id number as a Cooperative – the Department of Cooperatives says the Registrar should provide it, the Registrar says the IRS should provide it, the IRS says the Department of Cooperatives should provide it, and so on. My own research, after talking with the heads of these agencies before I left Ghana, is that the IRS is responsible. Torsu is on it, but Emmanuel is helping in the meantime.)

The Grand Opening started well – the signs were painted, the t-shirts were printed in an all night job for the artist, the malt drinks were flowing and meat pies for everyone. The workers were excited – this was their program. We used the church building directly opposite the workshop, which along with the church was decorated in elaborate balloons and ribbons in red, white and blue. The chairperson for the event was Kofi Wayo, friendly bicycle seller, who also happens to be a pastor. The guests start coming – first the Koforidua bike sellers, then some of the food seller friends that sell near the front retail store, family members, other friends and then Emmanuel with the members of EEFSA. Once we had about 70 people, we began. There were extravagant formalities, which go along with most Ghanaian events, that included introducing each important guest, rounding up the important guests to sit at the head table, and then the speeches. Emmanuel and I shared the podium. He spoke first expressing his pride in the project, and his commitment to support it. Then I came in with a brief history and a formal statement of gratitude to Emmanuel and EEFSA. We shook hands and felt positive. Then I introduced the workers and described the work that they do. Everyone then went over to the workshop, where a beautiful ribbon was tied across the entrance to two of the metal pipes holding-up the roof. Emmanuel and I held the scissors over the ribbon, and cut, formally opening the business. There were media folks there – one television station and a newspaper. Finally, I handed over the business to the workers with a symbolic gesture, which for me was the most important part of this event. As a group, Ability Bikes and I needed a ritual to signify this transition. I spoke briefly on the capacity of the workers to carry-out the operations of the business, I held up the huge 15” adjustable wrench, symbolizing the work we accomplished, the business we built, and handed it Sule and Torsu, who accepted it on behalf of the workers. They received the wrench with heightened emotion. Then interviews with the media, chatting with friends, and that malt and meat pie.

Lastly, the event we were all working toward, the formal registration of Ability Bikes as a Cooperative with the government of Ghana. Toward the end of July, Ability Bikes and I pressed the Department of Cooperatives more urgently to lead us through the paperwork processes of registration. It seemed that for previous months, the Dept. of Coops was not giving us a clear path toward registration. There were ambiguous applications that we had not yet seen. Finally, we were transferred to a different Coop officer who laid it all down for us. We needed 10 members to be formally registered, and currently had six. We needed to fill out a basic application, and needed to provide financial reports for 6 months of operation, among other documents that needed to be drafted and signed to make the process official. We got to work on the first condition of 10. Since there are six full members of the cooperative with the intention to increase, we considered it valid to open the coop membership to four new members who were part of the original training group and who can benefit from membership as well as contribute to the growth of the business. One of these members is Kwame Fosu, the next in line to be hired as a mechanic. Kwame missed half of the original training, and I was uncertain of his seriousness, so he was not originally selected. I later learned that Kwame’s absence was in part due to financial burden and communication challenges. Kwame does not speak English, lives off the beaten path, does not have a cell phone and is in a wheelchair. During the training, however, Kwame was excellent with tools, has enormously strong arms, the propensity to DJ reggae music, and was unabashed to get deep into the bike, on the ground if need be. Kwame is not financially independent, depending on his family members for even the 35 pesewas it takes to join a car into town. This job would be an incredible opportunity for Kwame. As soon as the coop is stable financially, Kwame will be welcomed to join.

Next is Dorothy Tutuwaa, the seamstress and bike cap-maker. Dorothy works in a seamstress shop at the top of the hill of Koforidua, near the Chief’s Palace and near the huge Roman Catholic Church. Dorothy works there with her elder sister and about 4 other young women. The shop is close to her house, so she can get there independently. There is also a wheelchair ramp going up to the shop. It’s a good employment situation for a young woman in a wheelchair. Dorothy’s family house is also nice, but is built into a hill, so the courtyard of the compound is about 13 steps lower than the doors to the rooms. If Dorothy will enter or leave her room, she must use her arms to walk herself up and down the steps. She manages it though. I last visited her to discuss putting the BNB logo on the caps. I met her in the common space of her two rooms. We chatted with a DVD playing in the background, some low budget US action flick. I asked Dorothy what she will do the rest of the day (Saturday no work), and she said she is just going to relax, watch films, talk to friends. During our conversation she had a few calls. Dorothy is interested to be a part of the coop to maintain the cap-making connection and also to run a satellite sales location at her seamstress shop. It is an excellent place to display bikes, and Dorothy could get a commission on bikes sold there. If Ability Bikes can increase the productivity of the workshop, and build bikes faster than they can sell them from the shop, it is a marketing strategy to increase the locations where bikes are sold each day. Ability Bikes therefore plans to work with physically challenged people in different areas of the city to sell bikes, giving an income opportunity to them as well as establishing the potential to sell significantly more bikes per day. The other two coop members that were included were Elizabeth Viditor, who is interested to be a mechanic, and Daniel Nyarko who would work with sales.

We held meetings with the ten members that would be registered, and after discussing issues of roles and shares, were in agreement. Then the ten met with the coop officer, asked questions, received explanations, and we were given the details of the application from the officer, and over the next few days, filled it and signed it. We also began preparing our financial reports, digging into our financial records. We prepared a trial balance, profit and loss, and balance sheet that were very complicated, even for us who prepared them. We tried to include all of the relevant financial info, including the stores for extra storage that Ability Bikes intended to pay for within the next year. When we gave this to the coop officer, he smiled and said we need it to be more simple. If we wanted the application to be accepted by the national registrar without further inquiries and delays, we needed to essentially give them what they wanted which were clear and uncomplicated financial reports. Over the following two weeks, Maud, Torsu, the coop officer and I worked to develop appropriate financial reports. It was an excellent training that the coop officer indirectly gave Maud and Torsu in the process of developing these reports. There were many areas of accounting that were clarified including the process of using the trial balance to develop the trading profit and loss, the profit and loss and then the balance sheet. After these reports were finalized, other documents were drafted and signed, and all were submitted to the coop officer. In order to expedite the four-week process to a few days, Ability Bikes gave the coop officer GHC 100 to send the application to the registrar personally (a large portion of that money undoubtedly going into the registrar’s pocket), to ensure that the registration is done without delay, and to personally return with the certificate. On the day that I flew from Ghana, the coop officer received the approved certificate of registration for Ability Bikes Cooperative.

Moving forward, Ability Bikes Cooperative is legally recognized and is approaching financial solvency. The workers collectively make decisions and rely on each other to maintain and continue to grow the business. They rely on each other to overcome challenges, and must take the necessary action to keep this business moving. They are trained, they are empowered, they are able. Bikes Not Bombs supports their independence.