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MP for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings in collaboration with the Oxford Street Business Owners Association (OSBOA) and the Oxford Street Unified Initiative have launched a horse-drawn carriage design challenge in Accra.

The challenge dubbed The Mounted Project is aimed at providing alternative ways for tourists to visit historical monuments at Osu and its adjacent suburbs - such as the Christianborg Castle, the Independence Square, Accra Sports Stadium, The National Theatre, the National Cathedral, the Arts Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Jamestown slave-trading floor, slave loading tunnels and lighthouse.

The launch, held at Ridge in Accra, brought together representatives from the Design and Technology Institute, Accra Technical University, Accra Technical Training Centre and the Oxford Street Business Owners Association to discuss the requirements of the project and expectations of the partners.

Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Klottey Korle, and promoter for the Mounted Project noted that initiatives such as the Mounted Project are essentially for fostering collaborations between key actors in any community.

The Klottey Korle legislator expressed her excitement of working with OSBOA in finding creative ways of engaging tourists on the Osu historical corridor.

Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings further noted that rather than importing carriages for the project, they have decided to use the opportunity to showcase the creative skills of young people in Ghana. “We need to bring on board real-life situations to have the public appreciate technical education. We need to show what your students are capable of and support the lecturers and encourage young people to be innovative as we continue to help them feel a sense of belonging. Ultimately, we want industry to come to you with projects they would like to collaborate with you on.”

The challenge will see teams of students invited to come up with horse-drawn carriage designs that can seat 2 - 4 persons with an average weight of 80kg each and allow for construction with materials that can be sourced locally. The winning team is expected to include women and will be funded (the award) to start construction and upon completion have their name and logo embossed on the unit as a way of recognizing their participation.

Dr. Moro Adams, Head of Department, Mechanical Engineering at Accra Technical University (ATU) while expressing support for the project stated that, “I can see the route from Danquah Circle all the way to Jamestown and I think designing a horse-drawn carriage that fits the terrain and is comfortable to ride in will be great. For ATU, this is an opportunity for some of my female students to show their creativity as the project calls for gender representation”

Abraham Kyeremeh Addai of Accra Technical and Training College, and Mubarik Ahmed, representing the Design and Technology Institute both expressed their excitement about the project as it will afford their students to showcase their skills.

The representatives of OSBOA, Bliss Kingg and Klenam Fiadzoe noted that OSBOA is committed to sponsoring the development of at least two of the winning carriage designs for the project to get off the ground before the end of the year. As part of measures to make a major environmentally-conscious impact on life on Oxford street, Mr. Fiadzoe also took the opportunity to highlight the Oxford street solar lighting project which will ensure that businesses consistently have power while adding to increasing security on the stretch.

In her closing remarks, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings noted that “The Osu historical corridor has so much to offer. There are many historical buildings and monuments and oral narratives of riveting history. So, we want this project to be an integrated network of people and places”.

The Mounted Project is a private sector engagement project organized by the Together We Build Initiative of the Office of Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings in collaboration with the Oxford Street Business Owners Association, and the Oxford Street Unified Initiative, with business development support provided by Astute Studios, Ashesi D:Lab and business model support by Design Thinking Ghana Hub.