Local single father's dedication helps daughter reach Olympic dreams

Kweku Biney is like most fathers, hard working and dedicated to his children,

but not many fathers have Olympic speed skating daughters.

His daughter, Maame Biney, competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

A pinnacle of her career which started when she and her father came to the United States from Ghana when Maame was a child.

“I grew up in Ghana and my life was hard because I had to fend for myself and I had to walk miles to go get water in the morning before I could take a shower to go to school,” Kweku Biney said.

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Settling down in the DMV, Kweku turned to the Capital Youth Empowerment “Fathers In Touch” program to sharpen his parenting skills.

The program helps fathers with five core development areas: self awareness, caring for self, fathering skills, parenting skills and relationship skills.

“When kids grow up sometimes you sit back and say I could’ve done this in a different way or I could’ve done that in a different way,” Kweku Biney said.

The 12 week free program aims to help DMV fathers through physical, emotional and social development.

It is a cohort style class, supervised visitation activities in the community and individualized case management for enrolled fathers.

“Having that bond with your children where they feel supported, I believe fathers can build confidence in their children through their relationship,” King said.

At the end of the program CYEP hopes the fathers become economic providers, role models and have better interaction with their children.

Erick King, Capital Youth Empowerment Program President and CEO, said it’s amazing to see the growth Kweku has shown as a father.

Through that program Kweku and Maame grew their bond in her quest for Olympic gold.

“He’s the one who took me to practice, paid for everything and motivated me,” Maame Biney said.

“Without dedication on my part she wouldn’t be able to accomplish all the things she accomplished,” Kweku Biney said.

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To learn more about CYEP and the Fathers In Touch program click here.