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Surge in Airline Christmas bookings offers hope BY DOMINICK ANDOH (WHATSAPP +233 243376878)
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here has been a surge in flight bookings for the Christmas festive season, with airlines offering perks to travelers to stimulate demand. Dubai-based Emirates Airlines, for instance, is offering additional baggage allowance and a complimentary stay at the JW Marriott Marquis for travelers. Travelers who book an Economy Class return flight between Accra and Dubai gets a one night complimentary stay while Business Class or First Class passengers enjoy a complimentary two‑night stay. Africa’s largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines, is also offering travelers up to 20% off for all online bookings in its Holiday Sale. Kenya Airways, Asky Airlines, and other major European carriers servicing the Kotoka International Airport have special offers for the Christmas season. The small surge in flight booking has seen the load factor—the percentage of airline seats that PAGE 02
COVID-19 Vaccine: Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers Must stay off work for 48hrs
COVID-19: Nations impose UK travel bans over new variant European nations have begun to impose travel bans on the UK after it reported a moreinfectious and “out of control” coronavirus variant. Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium are all halting flights. The measures vary and are initially short-term but the French rules also affect Channel freight.
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Maintaining Ghana’s 3rd most peaceful country in Africa ranking PAGE 05
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COVID-19 Vaccine: Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers Must stay off work for 48hrs Following the Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, the FAA has determined that pilots may receive the vaccine under the conditions of their FAA-issued airman medical certification. FAA Air Traffic Controllers, who are subject to FAA medical clearance, may also receive the vaccine. To maintain the highest level of safety in the National Airspace System, the agency require pilots with medical certifications or air traffic controllers with medical clearances to observe a period of 48 hours following the administration of each dose of this vaccine before conducting safetysensitive aviation duties, such as flying or controlling air traffic. The required waiting period applies to those holding an Airman Medical Certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 67 or a Medical Clearance issued under FAA Order 3930.3C. Because the vaccine requires two doses, 28 days apart for maximum effectiveness, the waiting period
applies after each dose. The Pfizer vaccine, which was approved last week, requires two doses 21 days apart, but the waiting period after each dose applies to both brands. The FAA anticipates taking no additional measures to ensure safety after the initial window for side effects
closes. However, the agency’s medical professionals will continuously monitor the initial distribution of the novel vaccine and documented clinical results and will adjust these recommendations as needed. “The FAA will evaluate vaccines from other manufacturers as they
receive FDA authorization in the coming weeks and months and will advise pilots and air traffic controllers of any waiting periods required for those vaccines. The FAA applies similar brief waiting periods after administration of other vaccines, including those for tuberculosis and typhoid,” the FAA said.
Surge in airline Christmas bookings offers hope are filled-- of major carriers rising from about 50percent as at the end of October to about 75 percent as at December 20. Though this is a far cry from the preCOVID numbers--with daily preCOVID flights reduced to at most four frequencies per day by most airlines operating in Ghana. Indeed, research by ForwardKeys reveals a late rush took place during November. Olivier Ponti, Vice President, insights, ForwardKeys, said: “In normal years, we see people taking international flights during the Christmas holiday period to gather with family members they have not seen for a while. “But this year, such behaviour is being dampened as it poses a risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus; and it is being made more difficult by various travel restrictions.
“At the same time, many destinations which are heavily dependent on tourism have made strenuous efforts to stay open for business, implementing Covid-resistant protocols, to ensure their valuable leisure visitors can come and remain safe. “This is particularly true of numerous places in the Caribbean and Mexico, which are entering their peak season. “They are being relatively very successful, in comparison to other parts of the world, attracting visitors from their most important market, the USA, who are eager for a holiday outdoors in the sunshine.” The recent development offers hope amidst a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in various regions of the world which has greatly impacted the aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors.
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COVID-19: Nations impose UK travel bans over new variant An EU meeting on Monday morning will discuss a more coordinated response. The new variant has spread quickly in London and south-east England. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday introduced a new tier four level of restrictions for those areas, scrapping a planned relaxation of rules over the Christmas period for millions of people. Top health officials said that there was no evidence the new variant was more deadly, or would react differently to vaccines, but it was proving to be up to 70% more transmissible. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new strain “was out of control. We have got to get it under control”, admitting that this was “an incredibly difficult end to frankly an awful year”. Which countries have acted and how?Within hours of the UK announcement on Saturday, the Netherlands said it would ban all passenger flights from the UK until 1 January. Later on Sunday it said it would also bar ferry passengers arriving from the UK, although freight would continue.
The country on Sunday reported a daily increase of more than 13,000 cases - a new record, despite tough lockdown measures being applied on 14 December. As Sunday wore on, major new restrictions were imposed by key European nations. France suspended all travel links, including freight lorries, with the UK for 48 hours from midnight on Sunday (23:00 GMT). Thousands of lorries move between the countries every day. In response to France’s ban, Eurotunnel said it would suspend access to its Folkestone terminal from 22:00 GMT for traffic heading to Calais. People booked to travel on Monday can get a refund. Trains will still run from Calais to Folkestone. The ferry terminal at Dover is now closed for all accompanied traffic leaving the UK until further notice because of the French restrictions. The freight issue has become so pressing that Mr Johnson will chair a COBRA emergency response meeting on the matter on Monday. In Ireland, which has significant passenger traffic with the UK at this time of year, the government announced that flights arriving from
the UK would be banned for 48 hours at least from midnight, and “in the interests of public health, people in Britain, regardless of nationality, should not travel to Ireland, by air or sea”. Ferry crossings for freight would continue. In Germany, an order from the ministry of transport said planes from the UK would not be allowed to land after midnight on Sunday, although cargo would be an exception. Health Minister Jens Spahn said the UK variant had not yet been detected in Germany. Belgium suspended flights and train arrivals from the UK from midnight on Sunday for at least 24 hours as a “precautionary measure”.
Italy is blocking all flights from the UK until 6 January. The first case of the UK variant has also been detected in Italy, the health ministry reported on Sunday. The patient is in isolation in Rome. Austria is to ban flights from the UK. Bulgaria has suspended flights to and from the UK from midnight but, unlike the short-term measures in many other nations, its ban lasts until 31 January. Turkey has temporarily banned all flights from the UK as has Switzerland. A European Council meeting will be held at 10:00 GMT on Monday on co-ordinating EU actions. (Source: BBC)
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Maintaining Ghana’s 3rd most peaceful country in Africa ranking
BY PHILIP GEBU
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he year 2019 was an unprecedented year in terms of tourism in Ghana. The success of that year was supposed to be a stepping stone that will eventually flourish and plans where advanced to go ahead with the ‘Beyond the Return’ concept which aimed at keeping the momentum gathered in 2019. Then, 2020 begins and unfortunately, COVID-19 strikes and brings everything to a standstill until recently when our main International airport was opened to allow the resumption of international and domestic flights. Tourism globally is still on the low and until the UNWTO releases its afro barometer figures for 2020, then can we do the comparison between this year and last year to really comprehend the impact of COVID-19 on Ghana’s tourism. The GTA may be gathering its own data and we hope to receive them for our analyses when available. Notwithstanding the times in which we find ourselves, we all must realize that one of the main success of our tourism -which basically involves how tourists perceive Ghana as a destination- has been our sustainable peace. It’s an obvious fact that tourism has thrived where ever there has been peace. Peace has been a
great contributing factor to Ghana being seen as an attractive and safe destination. Having gone through a successful election, we where all exited waiting for the results to be declared so that we move on with our lives. After the declaration of the results, we seem to be uncertain of what the future looks like considering recent happening. Since 1992 we have gone through this process without destroying the peace of the country. Transfer of power took place from one government to another under this 4th Republic. In fact, in 2012, The President of the Republic Nana Akufo-Addo challenged the decision of the EC declaring John Mahama winner of the Ghana 2012 Presidential Election in court. According to news reports, he refused to concede defeat after the Electoral Commission (EC) declared the incumbent National Democratic Party (NDC) candidate, John Mahama the winner of Ghana’s Presidential Election. The NPP had alleged that Mr. Mahama won the election fraudulently, a charge his NDC party denied. After the court sessions, when the decision did not favour him, he told the BBC he was disappointed but accepted the verdict and urged his supporters to do likewise. The court ruled that President Mahama had been “validly elected”. Our President acted as a true democrat. He said he would respect the decision of the nine judges. “I urge
all our supporters to accept the verdict - and in peace,” he said. Today the tables have turned and mynewsgh.com reports what we all know to be that former President Mahama has not yet conceded defeat. The NDC party has rejected the results, citing alleged irregularities. They are also accusing the NPP of vote-buying, making threats against its supporters, and of violations during the count. The governing party leaders have flatly denied the accusations of electoral fraud. Former President Mahama said “What we witnessed across the country from 7 December, 2020, exposed a deliberate plan to manipulate and pre-determine the results of the election in favour of the incumbent, Nana Akufo-Addo,” “I stand before you tonight unwilling to accept the fictionalised results of a flawed election,” “We will take all legitimate steps to reverse this tragedy of justice.” The French will say déjà vu. As the saying goes, there is nothing new under the sun. The Washington Post in its reportage stated that, (this election has tested the West African nation’s credentials as one of the continent’s most politically stable countries.) This a clear endorsement of how the world sees us. According to Global Peace Index rankings (2020), GIP which is a report produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) which measures the relative position of
nations’ and regions’ peacefulness, Ghana came 3rd in Africa as the most peaceful country and globally 43rd. Only Mauritius and Botswana did better in Africa. Globally we are next to the United Kingdom
Philip Gebu is a Tourism Lecturer. He is the C.E.O of FoReal Destinations Ltd, a Tourism Destinations Management and Marketing Company based in Ghana and with partners in many other countries. Please contact Philip with your comments and suggestions. Write to forealdestinations@gmail. com / info@forealdestinations. com. Visit our website at w w w. fo re a l d e s t i n at i o n s . com or call or WhatsApp +233(0)244295901/0264295901. Visist our social media sites Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: FoReal Destinations.
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Tapping into the past to enrich the present NATASHA APPIAH & ISAAC SETUGAH
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ver the decades, some customs and beliefs have been passed on from generation to generation through food, language, literature, rites, clothing, music and other means. In Ghana, a child who grows up with the grandma, aside enjoying some pampering, is privileged to hear the tales of their youthful days and learn the art of adorning their language with rich Africa proverbs. Growing up in the city setting, such privileged experiences are only limited to the occasional trips to rural areas for social events such as funerals, traditional weddings and local festivals. The country and Africa as a whole, have over the years evolved from an age where the best and most practiced occupation was farming, fishing and even hunting. Modernity, bringing along with it new knowledge and constant studies, has taught the continent new ways to better gain the best out of its unique culture. For instance, current laws do not only
protect extinct species, but knowledge gained has helped promote wildlife and eco-tourism. Now, although modernisation is aiding a better projection of unique African ways, blending in some aspects is one that needs further efforts. In Ghana, funeral rites have been a major means of bringing distant families together and a means to know and explore one’s roots. According to tradition, when a man passes on, for a period of time, the widow must not handle money and should
not be found outside when night falls. As the family adorns their bodies with dark colours to signify their mourning period, the children are also required to wear black slippers, otherwise known as ‘chalewote’. Though the professional field and recent trends in fashion may limit the youth in attires appropriate for such periods hence making it seem as a hindrance, having worry about your dressing along with dealing with one’s loss, these requirements have significant meaning. Also, one’s professional
duties; considering that of a financial officer, may cause a conflict in his/her traditional duties. Culture will always be unique for it shapes us in ways technological advancements can’t-- our values, hopes, loyalties, selflessness and hospitality. Therefore, there is a need to learn and blend the ways of our forefathers to our modern lifestyle so as to gain the best styled outfit, improve our way of thinking, protecting the environment and sustainably use the country’s endowed natural resources.
Emirates to deploy its iconic A380 to Sao Paulo in January 2021 Emirates has announced that it will be operating its flagship Airbus A380 aircraft on the Dubai – Sao Paulo route between January 9-30, 2021. The Emirates A380 will be deployed four times weekly to Sao Paulo in response to the summer season increase in demand for travel to and from Brazil. This will be the first time that the iconic aircraft returns to South America since the suspension of passenger flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Emirates resumed passenger flights to Sao Paulo in August 2020 on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Signature experience Customers travelling to and from Brazil on Emirates in January 2021 can once again look forward to enjoying the unparalleled Emirates A380 experience with its spacious and comfortable cabins and the unmissable signature products and services on the A380, including the iconic A380 Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa, reintroduced with additional health and safety measures. In early November, Emirates also reinstated its signature dining service
across all classes while observing strict hygiene protocols. Customers can now savour multi-course meals and choose from a complimentary selection of beverages including wine and beer, as well as juices and soft drinks. Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainAment, ice, continues to add new content every month, and currently features a catalogue with over 4,500 channels. Destination Dubai Brazilian customers travelling to much desired holiday destinations including the Maldives can stop over at Dubai to experience the city’s wide range of world-class experiences from sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities. Brazilian nationals can obtain a free visa on arrival at Dubai. In 2019, Dubai welcomed 16.7 million visitors and hosted over hundreds of global meetings and exhibitions, as well as sports and entertainment events. Dubai was one of the world’s first cities to obtain Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – which endorses
Dubai’s comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety. Flexibility and assurance Emirates’ booking policies offer customers flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers who purchase an Emirates ticket for travel on or before 30 June 2021, can enjoy generous rebooking terms and options, if they have to change their travel plans. Customers have options to change their travel dates or extend their ticket validity for 2 years. More information here. Travel with confidence All Emirates customers can travel with confidence and peace of mind with the airline industry’s first, multirisk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover. This cover is offered by Emirates on all tickets purchased on or from 1 December 2020, at no cost to customers. In addition to COVID-19 medical cover, this latest offer from Emirates also has provisions for personal accidents during travel, winter sports cover, loss of personal belongings, and trip disruptions due to unexpected air
space closure, travel recommendations or advisories, similar to other multirisk travel insurance products. Some limitations and exclusions apply. Policy details and more information here. Health and safety Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers. For more information on these measures and the services available on each flight, visit: www. emirates.com/yoursafety COVID-19 PCR testing Emirates customers who require a COVID-19 PCR test certificate prior to departure from Dubai, can avail of special rates at clinics across Dubai by simply presenting their ticket or boarding pass. Home or office testing is also available, with results in 48 hours. More information on www. emirates.com/flytoDubai
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Kenya eVisa system to be extended from 2021
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he Kenya eVisa is being extended to travelers from all countries as part of a shift towards digitalisation. Previously, the Kenya eVisa had been available to people from select nations only. From January 1st, however, all nationalities that require a visa will benefit from the electronic system. This is good news for travelers. The online application offers a faster and more efficient way to get the essential permit, with no need to attend an embassy or consulate at any point during the application process. The Kenya eVisa will be a mandatory entry requirement for non-exempt passport holders and will replace other visitor visas for Kenya. Increased use of the electronic visa will also boost security. New, biometric technology is being introduced at airports in preparation for a full transition to eVisas. Read on to find out more about the advantages of the Kenya eVisa, the online application, and how to obtain a Kenya visa extension. Key Information about the Kenya eVisa The Kenya eVisa system allows travelers to submit their visa application from home, at any time of day. The application form can be accessed from an electronic device connected to the internet, such as a
personal computer or mobile phone. Until now, Kenya’s visa policy meant that visitors from some countries were required to apply for a visa in person at an embassy. The new electronic format will soon be available to all foreigners who require a visa, offering greater convenience. Visa processing is fast, with most applicants receiving the approved authorization in just a few working days. The visa is sent by email, eliminating the need to collect it from the embassy. Kenya eVisas are granted for 30days and can then be extended twice, for a maximum stay of up to 6 months in total. The visa must be used within 3 months of issue. Embassy Visas and Visas on Arrival Phased Out Foreigners need to be prepared for the transition to the eVisa: from 2021, the Kenya eVisa will be the only option available. Senior Deputy Director of Immigration Services, Alicent Odipo released a statement anointing that “All passengers from countries that require a visa to enter Kenya shall be required to obtain e-Visa before boarding an aircraft.� Embassy visas and visas on arrival are being discontinued. Given the drawbacks of these traditional methods, replacing them with the eVisa will be beneficial for both
travelers and Kenyan authorities. Individuals who had previously been required to apply for a visa at the embassy will soon have access to the online service for faster visa applications and processing. Queuing at the airport for a visa on arrival will no longer be possible, all non-exempt travelers must now arrange the visa before departure. Applying in advance allows for any issues to be resolved before departure, passengers who waited until the airport to obtain a visa ran the risk of having their request rejected and being forced to return home. It has not yet been confirmed whether long-stay visas and other types of permits will be affected. Kenya eVisa Application Process Travelers applying for the eVisa must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Kenya. Applicants are required to provide basic details such as their name and date of birth, in addition to passport information. All supporting documents can be uploaded digitally. Depending on the reason for visiting, different documents are requested. Tourists, for example, need to provide confirmation of a hotel reservation and onward travel ticket whilst business people need an invitation letter from the host. Travelers must check all the Kenya eVisa requirements depending on
their specific circumstances. Applicants should take care when filling out the formas any mistakes or missing information could lead to delays or rejection. The visa fees are paid securely online using a debit or credit card before finalizing the application. Provided there are no issues, applicants should receive the approved visa in a few business days. The visa is sent by email, to be printed at home and presented at the border. Kenyan eVisa Extensions Travelers who apply for a Kenya eVisa are originally granted a stay of up to 30 days in the country. It may be possible to extend the visa twice from within Kenya, first for 2 months and then again for 3 months for a total stay of up to 6 months. Visitors can request a visa extension at the Immigration Headquarters in Nairobi or the Immigration Office in Mombasa, the offices are open from Monday to Friday. To obtain the extension, foreigners are asked to fill out a form and pay the visa extension fee. Alternatively, visitors can depart Kenya and reapply for the eVisa using the same electronic process. They will be able to enter Kenya again once the new eVisa has been approved. (Source: voyagesafriq.com)
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DECEMBER 21-22, 2020
The Currency Composition of Central Banks’ Reserve Holdings
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he currencies that are being held by central banks as foreign exchange reserves have remained largely steady over decades. Changes in the composition of these holdings can, at best, be described as glacial in pace. But geopolitical shifts and technological revolutions are reshaping the global economy and the international use of currencies. These forces, and the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, could further accelerate the transformations in the reserve holdings of central banks. The status quo There are currently around 180 national currencies, but only a few are widely used for international transactions, such as invoicing, paying for imports, and issuing debt or investing abroad. These currencies are the U.S. dollar, the euro, and, to a lesser extent, the Japanese yen, the British pound, and a few others. When crises hit, companies and investors usually seek safety in dollars. Central banks have long held international reserves in these same currencies. This is unsurprising as reserves are intended to back up international transactions as described above, allowing country authorities to finance balance of payments needs, intervene in foreign exchange markets, and provide foreign exchange to domestic agents. The slow pace of change in reserve holdings Building on a novel dataset, a new IMF staff paper analyzes the composition and drivers of central banks’ reserve currency holdings over recent decades, and how these drivers have changed. One key finding is that, given the dollar’s (and to some extent, the euro’s) international dominance, to date, any shifts in central bank reserve holdings have been minimal. For example, despite China’s growing role in the global economy, the Chinese renminbi has gained only a small foothold in global transactions, such as issuing foreign debt or trading in the global foreign exchange market. The paper also found that financial links seem to be a key driver of reserve currency holdings, and increasingly so in the last decade. This would suggest
that, as long as the dollar continues to dominate global finance and trade, its dominance as a reserve currency looks set to endure. But, just as slow-moving glaciers can sometimes unexpectedly surge forward, the currency composition of reserve holdings has the potential to undergo a sudden, unexpected, and accelerated transformation. The future of reserve currencies Our paper suggests a number of economic and financial trends that could impact the future composition of reserve holdings. Geopolitical and technological developments might prove as significant as economic considerations, and, together with the current COVID-19 pandemic, could accelerate future transformations. Potential drivers of change include: • Shifts in international finance: the strong response to the European Commission’s largescale bond issuance in October highlights potential demand for alternatives to dollardenominated debt. Emerging market and developing countries could also issue more debt in the currencies of emerging creditors, such as China, to help meet increased financing needs. Our paper finds that the currency denomination of public debt is an especially important determinant of emerging market and developing countries’ reserve holdings, likely reflecting central banks’ desire to hedge against risks associated with debt obligations. • Changing trade links and invoicing practices could also alter demand for international currencies. Both the pandemic and recent trade tensions have highlighted the fragility of global supply chains. Countries are now more interested than ever in ensuring critical supplies. A shift toward localized production would reduce the demand for international currencies. Meanwhile, lower reliance on any single trading partner might diversify demand for currencies. The recent conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in Asia – a free trade agreement between fifteen nation states in the region – may signify a
larger role for alternate currencies that currently account for a small share in international reserves. • The credibility of the policies of debt-issuing countries is fundamental for trust in their currencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for current and potential issuers to enact sound health and economic policies to preserve their growth potential. • The international use of currencies can also reflect strategic considerations. For instance, reserve currency portfolio decisions may be influenced by foreign policy considerations and security ties. The fallout from trade tensions and international sanctions can prompt countries to consider changes in their reserve holdings and potential issuers to seek to internationalize their currencies. • The pandemic has accelerated advances in financial and payment technologies. Potential competition from private issuers such as Diem – Facebook’s
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blockchain-based payment system – has spurred major central banks to accelerate work on central bank digital currencies and cross-border payments. The European Central Bank and People’s Bank of China, among others, are exploring the issuance of central bank digital currencies which could increase demand for their currencies. Superior technology platforms could also help new currencies overcome some of the advantages of incumbent currencies. Depending on the adoption and use of public or private digital money , central banks might have to rethink what constitutes, and how to hold, reserves going forward. There is currently no sign of major shifts in the composition of central bank reserve currencies. However, the glacial pace of change over recent decades should not be taken as an indication of the future. There is considerable uncertainty around global economic and financial trends, as well as geopolitical and technological developments, and so scope for more dynamic transformation in the future.
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