FLYafrica Magazine, Issue 10

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

Touching Africa, Touching The World!

FLYafrica Find your Sunrise ISSUE 10

APRIL -JUNE 2021

OFF-THE-GRID ADVENTURES IN THE VOLTA REGION

PAGE 16

READ, RELAX AND RETURN AT LOATAD PAGE 34

THE BEST BRUNCH IN GHANA COMPETITION

WIN

A NIGHT’S STAY AT THE ACCRA CITY HOTEL

Contents PAGE 8

PATIENCE TORLOWEI

Style with a story

Regulars

Features

2 Foreword

4 The best pictures of 2020

Africa World Airlines Head Office - UNA Homes Building 2nd/3rd floor Airport Bypass Road Airport City Road PMB CT67 Accra, Ghana

EDITORIAL: Mark Edwards, Editor markedwards@landmarine.com The contents and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy in preparing the magazine, the Publisher and Africa World Airlines assume no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies or omissions.

All submitted material is accepted on the understanding that the material can be edited, amended or abridged for publication. ©2020 Land & Marine Publications Ltd

Takoradi

24 TECHcorner

Paul Hutchings Cell: +44 (0)7701 062533 (WhatsApp)

Two-wheeled tours with Go City Cycles Accra arts hub champions literary heritage

21 Noldor

Project looking for next artist in residence

26 Bosom P-Yung

Up your Zoom game

28 Inflightmindfulness with Bliss Yoga Accra

Brows get the wow factor

30 WINafrica

Meet Ghana’s most original musical talent

31 Fola David

29 Beauty With Alexiglam

The doctor, artist and humanitarian

36 Ho and the Volta Region

Explore the peaks and falls in Ghana east

39 Patrick Andoh

FLYafrica competition

34 EATafrica

How award-winning Nigerian fashion designer fuses style with a story

16 Library of African Origin Authors

Life coach De Lady Rev talks reconciliation

11 Follow the yellow bike road

14 STARdestination

FLYafrica Magazine is published for Africa World Airlines by:

Three finalists from West Africa

8 Patience Torlowei

African handbags

20 Wisdomworld

ADVERTISING: Email: flyafrica@landmarine.org

6 INSIDERinformation

Tel: +233 24 243 8888 Toll Free: 0800 200 200 Email: awaoffice@flyafricaworld.com www.flyAfricaWorld.com

Land & Marine Publications Ltd 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park Colchester, Essex CO4 9RA United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 www.landmarine.com

A message from our CEO

The ethical hacker beating the cyber criminals at their own game

The late show: the best brunch spots in Ghana

42 STAYafrica

AWA Information 3 AWAnews

The Royal Senchi

45 AWAroutes

Subscribe to FLYafrica

Email: subscribe@landmarine.org

Book online

46 TRAVELinformation 48 AWAcontacts

flyAfricaWorld.com FLYafrica

1

Foreword

Welcome

Connect with AWA Facebook

www.facebook.com/ flyafricaworld

MARKING A DECADE OF DARING TO DREAM Dear passengers, It’s been a year since Ghana recorded its first two cases of Coronavirus. This came with the lockdown of the country as we saw cases rise. Most commercial businesses were terribly affected and the aviation industry was sadly no exception.

Consequently, airlines suspended and reduced their flights to and from Ghana and all over the world. The demand for commercial flights dropped drastically, resulting in flights being grounded and the industry being brought to a complete standstill.

This March marks one year since the world began to fully feel the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. AWA undoubtedly has felt its fair share of the impact of the global pandemic. However, we are very optimistic that the future of the airline looks strong, as we are looking forward to the expansion of our operations and the commencement of new routes.

health documents so they can fly safe, fly confident.

Now, finally, it seems there is hope on the horizon. The global roll-out of vaccinations continues at pace and infections are starting to fall as a result.

We will not, of course, relax our strict safety measures to combat the spread of the virus until it is absolutely safe to do so, but the glimpse of a brighter post-pandemic future is a joy to us as I am sure it is to all of you.

It makes me believe that we will soon be welcoming even more of our cherished passengers onboard our aircraft and adding new destinations for them to discover with us.

As we look back at the last year and toward the future of safe travel, our number one priority will always be our passengers.

Best wishes to you.

In the face of Covid-19, we continue to enhance our safety protocols as per international standards. We continue to meet and go beyond industrystandard sanitary protocols and ensure our passengers complete all necessary

Book online 2

flyAfricaWorld.com

Michael C. Luo Chief Executive Officer Africa World Airlines

Twitter

@flyafricaworld

Instagram

@flyafricaworld

AWAnews Dawn to dusk in

Kumasi

Kumasi

siness ke the most of that bu Now you can really ma ng eri off Kumasi, with AWA meeting or day trip in and cra each way between Ac up to 11 daily flights rtures m, with the first depa Kumasi to choose fro 0pm.

8.2 m and last arrivals at from Accra at 6.40a in eat to ere to grab a bite If you want a tip on wh ots’ Sp nch ck out the ‘Best Bru The Garden City, che of FLYafrica. article inside this issue

Fly Safe, Fly Confident AWA is proud to be at the global forefront of safety in these challenging times, implementing industry-leading standards to reassure our passengers that when you fly with us, you can “Fly Safe, Fly Confident!”

Our enhanced sanitary protocols remain in effect and exceed International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards.

These include mandatory mask usage

Accra

and hand sanitization, no-contact checkin and boarding, disinfection of the aircraft after each flight, and spraying of all checked-in baggage.

Passengers flying with AWA will get a mandatory Covid-19 test at the airport terminal. For Ghanaians and Ecowas Citizens this will cost US$ 50, for all other passengers it is $150. Payment must be made online at myfrontierhealthcare. com/Home/Ghana. Proof of payment will be checked before boarding.

Number of flights scheduled

Total flights delayed beyond two hours

We cherish our passengers so it’s always nice to hear the feeling is mutual. Documentary maker Onye Ubanatu had this to say after a recent AWA flight from Lagos to Accra.

Touching Africa, Touching The World!

Africa World Airlines is proud to release our operational performance statistics for January and February 2021, in line with our commitment to transparency.

Jan: 1,191 Feb: 1,104

Thanks for the kind words, Onye!

“As an African creative entrepreneur, a content producer, visual strategist and event producer, I get to travel across Africa a lot, this means airports, airplanes and I are 5 and 6. On my recent flight around my beautiful West Africa, on a documentary story gathering project, I flew on AWA (PS: I love how it sounds like OUR) to Ghana. I must commend their show of professionalism in line with international best practices. The quality

Our reliability ratings for January/February

Jan: 4 Feb: 34

of aircraft, courteousness of the cabin crew, Covid safety protocol adherence & overall flight experience reminded me of the fact that truly Africa stands for quality. I look forward to telling more inspiring stories in and around Africa with OUR (AWA) airline.”

You can find out more Onye’s adventures at his Instagram page @onyeubanatu1

Schedule execution rate

Jan: 98.99% Jan: 96.00% Flights delayed beyond two hours due to weather

Jan: 0 Feb: 2

Numbers of passengers booked

Passengers denied boarding due to oversales

Jan: 50,090 Feb: 36,957

Jan: 1 Feb: 0

Number of bags checked in

Bags delivered on time

Jan: 46,308 Feb: 33,308

Jan: 97.9% Feb: 99.4%

Book online flyAfricaWorld.com FLYafrica

3

Agora

The best pictures of 2020

More than 35,000 images taken by photographers from across 135 countries were submitted when free-to-use mobile app announced the launch of its Best Photo of 2020 contest. Now 50 finalists have been chosen, all in with a chance of winning the life-changing prize of US$ 25,000. Among the finalists are three from West Africa. Here are the amazing images with each photographer explaining the inspiration behind their work.

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‘A UNITED STRUGGLE’ by @photogerard (Ghana)

“This photo depicts warrior-looking young men united in chorus of affirming the belief in themselves as a group. This photo has become increasingly meaningful to me for many reasons. Due to the global pandemic and the implementation of social distancing, it occurred to me that such gathering of people will be a rare sight for a while. Coupled with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and mass demonstrations all over the world that have been a major part of 2020, I found this photo symbolic and meaningful to the fight for racial equality and unity.

The photo conveys unity, strength, and determination.

Furthermore, it now also illustrates the furore of the #EndSars demonstrations in Nigeria. If I win, I would invest in my photography to travel and meet new people, landscapes, and stories of as many places as I can.” @photogerard

‘COLOR CAN AFFECT PEOPLE’S EMOTIONS’

by @agyeman_duah_ (Ghana)

“I took this photo with the objective to portray how colours affect people’s emotions. Yellow breeds happiness. Blue has a calming effect. With the US$25,000 prize, I would finally upgrade my camera gear to suit the quality and quantity of content I have in mind to create.” @agyeman_duah_

‘BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL’ by @princeude_ (Nigeria)

“The increased activity in racism and racial profiling has pushed the narrative that being black is more of a curse than a blessing. This picture is a reminder that being black is beautiful. The picture was taken with a budget setup with the absence of any speed light equipment or studio setup. If I win, I would put the money towards furthering my education, in doing a master’s degree.” @princeude_

FLYafrica

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INSIDER information It’s in the bag…

the best African handbags for you From raffia to leather, traditional techniques to modern styles, African brand bags are stylish accessories that are the perfect finishing touch to the look of any budding fashionista.

Nathan Tollo rounds up some classic examples that should be on your gift list this season.

FEMI HANDBAGS Femi Handbags, created by self-taught Nigerian designer Femi Olayebi, offers luxury bags in a vibrant range of colours and structured silhouettes. Each design is finished with impeccable detailing, including hand-stitching, fine leather accents, and striking hardware; while its use of Aso-Oke – a traditional hand-loomed cloth belonging to the Yoruba people – appears throughout each collection, and has become synonymous with the brand’s artisanal and elegant aesthetic.

Where to buy: www.industrieafrica.com How much: US$ 750

MYTH HOUSE Accra’s Myth (an acronym that stands for Modern, Youthful, Trendy, Haute) House has a huge range of accessories for the modern woman and its classy, colourful bags feature metal meshes of different textures with fabrics with unique designs.

Where to buy: The Lotte, Accra or thelotteaccra.com How much: vary in the sizes and styles. They most range from US$ 50 to US$ 120

LISA FOLAWIYO Nigerian designer Lisa Folawiyo’s beaded top handle bags have proved an instant hit. According to the designer, the bag is designed for use on all occasions with more formal clothing perfect for parties, weddings, date nights and family gatherings.

Where to buy: @shopmcmullen on Instagram or lisafolawiyo.com How much: US$ 250

TONGORO RUMEN BAGS Rumen Bags has built a legacy on art and fine craftsmanship, producing the very finest luxury leather handbags and small leather goods.

They believe that everybody deserves to have unique handbag in their wardrobe. Choose from their handcrafted collection.

Where to buy: The Lotte, Accra or thelotteaccra.com How much: Prices vary in the sizes and styles. The mostly range from US$ 86 to US$ 155

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Expertly handcrafted from crocodileeffect leather in Dakar, Tongoro’s bags are full of character and the perfect mini-accessory for the feminine and playful women. Established in 2016 by Sarah Diouf, the brand is a favourite of Beyoncé and other global names. The brand’s latest collection includes a mini foldover purse with an interior pocket and a rolled top handle, which should be among everyone’s accessory goals.

Where to buy: industriafrica.com How much: US$ 150

AAKS Akosua Afriyie Kumi’s handcrafted bags are at the top of the list of brands to buy on every travel and fashion website. Established in 2014, the brand works with women weavers in Northern Ghana using raffia and leather finishing for their handcrafted luxury bags. Each collection’s silhouette is unique and tells a different story through detail, colour and shape.

Where to buy: industrieafrica.com or aaksonline.com How much: US$ 325

ZASHADU Zashadu is a leading Nigerian sustainable luxury brand, that specialises in hand-crafted leather pieces. It works with local sustainably sourced leathers and farmed exotic skins and details them with rough cut precious stones set in brass. All pieces are created at its workspace in Lagos using techniques passed down through generations by a community of local artisans. The results are a fusion of quiet elegance and unabashed glamour.

Where to buy: The Lotte, Accra or thelotteaccra.com How much: Mostly range from US$ 150 to US$ 340 depending on size and styles

CHIIP O’NEAL This Ghanaian-based contemporary brand founded by Neal David Dodoo has a range of SS21 crossbody bags made for every move.

They are made with upcycled coffee brown artificial pu leather and long, playful woven straps slings.

Where to buy: sales4chiipo@gmail.com How much: Available for pre-order.

Email for prices.

ADINKRA REPUBLIC They started with Adinkra-decorated socks and cuff links, but now this Ghanaian company has branched out into bags and its Ohemaa handbag is also designed with the royal symbols and made with the highest quality leather. With a removal strap this practical item can be hand-held or thrown over the shoulder.

Where to buy: adinkrarepublic.com How much: US$ 350

FLYafrica

7

Patience Torlowei

STYLE WITH A STORY From her hand-painted Esther dress – which became the first modern fashion piece to become part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African Art in the US – to the timeless designs of her Torlowei label, Patience Torlowei has married her own life and personality with concerns on sustainability in her powerful, but always beautiful work. Here the Nigerian designer tells FLYafrica why her clothes are an antidote to fast fashion, how she has fostered home-grown talent since returning to Lagos and how she is building a new appreciation of luxury lingerie in Africa.

8

Images courtesy of Patience Torlowei

NIGERIAN DESIGNER Patience Torlowei

Q: Your Esther dress contains images of the damage you saw being done to the natural beauty of your hometown. Do you feel there is a story – though more subtle – behind all the fashion items you create?

All my pieces are extensions of

Q

myself and, in the words of my chilCan you tell me briefly about

dren, I always have a lot of things to

your upbringing in Enugu?

say and opinions to express.

Were you creative even then?

I was born in Enugu in the Eastern part of Nigeria. When I was three

fashion can be used as a commu-

years old the Biafran War had broken

nication tool. As a proud African,

out and my family were removed

Nigerian and Niger-Deltan it pains

on the last boat from Enugu to my

me to see how my ancestral lands

ancestral village, Abari, in the Niger

have been destroyed by conflict,

Delta. I don’t remember much from

greed and poverty. This piece gave

this time because my parents did

me the perfect opportunity to share

the best they could to shield us from

my feelings.

the upheaval, however I know it

The environment and sustain-

changed our lives forever. My mother

ability form a very strong part of my

had a thriving catering business in

narrative, and this has been instilled

Enugu before the war, but we lost

in Torlowei. We express this through

everything.

our choice of raw materials and

Throughout my time at school DETAIL Torlowei is renowned for its embroidery

Esther can be described as the embodiment of how I believe

manufacturing processes. We use

I showed a talent for art and I eventu-

mostly natural fibres such as silks and

ally ended up studying textile design.

cottons, have started exploring the

I wouldn’t say I was ever interested in

use of recycled polyester fibres and

clothes and fashion explicitly, rather

where possible we prefer patronising

they were another organic way for

local craftsmen to help stimulate our

me express my relationship with the

economy.

creative process. I never saw the

The demand for fast fashion is also,

need to conform to societal norms

I believe, a problematic symptom of

and I strongly believed in fashion

our world today. With this in mind,

being a tool of self-expression. I

Torlowei pieces have been designed

guess that frame of mind has just

to be timeless and long-lasting.

stuck with me.

Staples for any wardrobe.

FLYafrica

9

TIMELESS STYLE A flowing silk gown from the Torlowei collection

Q: Can you tell me about the work that goes into creating the pieces from your Torlowei collection?

We have three categories of Torlowei items. There is the madeto-measure service where we make one-of-a-kind pieces to our customer’s specification. Then we have our main line, which houses our seasonal lingerie and ready-to-wear collections.

These pieces are available for limited amounts of time. Finally, we have our Torlowei Essentials. This is where you can find our wardrobe staples that will be available year in, year out.

Q: You produce some beautiful nightwear and lingerie. Why does this appeal to you? Have you seen your work has helped open up an interest in buying luxury lingerie in Africa?

Lingerie has always been my favourite part of fashion. I love the Q: Could you tell me about the influences you have drawn from for your Torlowei label?

I am influenced by beautiful things.

I am influenced by a time when I believe clothing had more meaning

We have a huge pool of local talent who need nothing more than guidance and a steady hand

and depth. When you could feel the of the pieces in question. My laces

into a single piece.

are from France; my silks are woven fabric is made by hand in Switzerland

trum is my love for clean cuts and

and our adire (traditional Yoruba tie-

straight shapes in rigid materials such

dyed cloth) is dyed in Nigeria. Every

as cotton organdie and silk Mikado.

location and every supplier has the

On the other hand I guess you could

best material in their class.

Think the artist, Alphonse Mucha. Silk

Q: You involve Nigerian artisans in

crêpes and chiffons, French leavers’

producing your garments. Was the

laces, delicate embroidery work on

bank of talent already there or did

the daintiest pieces.

you set up a training scheme for those you work with?

10

It’s a constant work in progress,

has lived in Brussels, London, Israel,

however at the heart of this sentiment

Germany and Portugal, but has

is my original reason for moving to

called Lagos home for the past 10

Nigeria: to create jobs locally. We have

years). Where do you source your

a huge pool of local talent who need

materials?

nothing more than guidance and a

I perceive to have the best offerings

sense of intrigue. Lingerie design (and manufacturing) and Africa after all don’t traditionally go hand in hand. I do however believe there is a market

Find out more To browse and buy the latest Torlowei lounge and nightwear, lingerie and readyto-wear range, visit the website patiencetorlowei.com

say I’m in love with the romantic.

I source my materials from where

say my work has definitely opened a

Africans in Africa.

in India and Italy; our show-stopping

On the one hand, my eclectic spec-

Q: You are well travelled (Torlowei

simply can’t get enough of it. I would

for buying luxury lingerie, made by

love and labour that would have gone My signature style is the timeless.

delicacy, intimacy and privacy of it. I

steady hand to support them and their craft.

SAFE AND STYLISH Torlowei textile masks

FOLLOW THE

yellow bike road Accra has some new vehicles on its car-clogged streets, but, rather than adding to the capital’s notorious traffic issues, the Go City Cycles fleet of yellow bicycles – equally identifiable at night illuminated by neon tubing – has been introduced to lead a movement towards cleaner city travel. FLYafrica speaks to the start-up’s co-founder, Mark Boadi.

M

ark Boadi knows very well

hire or for group tours in the city from

the toll Accra’s transport-

its base in the Ako Adjei neighbour-

related air pollution takes

hood, but there are plans scheduled

BIKE HIRE A Go City Cycles yellow bike

form of transportation in Ghana, in so doing many people like her would not have to suffer from illnesses

on its residents. His mother has

for late 2021 to increase the fleet to

because of Co2 emissions. The goal is

asthma, a condition exacerbated

three figures and introduce a mobile

to make and enforce cycling culture

by vehicle exhaust fumes, and “has

phone app-operated bike-sharing

in Ghana in general, seeing 50 per

been in and out of hospital more

scheme across the country.

cent of the country cycling and in

times than I can count”, he says.

While Ghana’s government has led

Boadi has grand aims for the project that go beyond the personal

the way on the continent in intro-

and the plight of his mother. He says:

ducing standards for motor vehicle

“I decided to create an alternative

so doing [drive] demand for cycling TOURS ON TWO WHEELS Exploring Accra

lanes here.”

While Boadi is convinced of the manifold benefits of cycling – for the

emissions and imported fuels, Boadi

environment and the cyclist – he is

felt huge improvements in the city’s

equally aware of the obstacles that

air quality could be made by reducing

stand in the way of its widespread

the reliance on car travel and nurtur-

adoption in Ghana beyond the

ing a cycling culture.

absence of infrastructure such as

Grand aims

cycling lanes.

He says: “Cycling is a great cardio-

The 27-year-old entrepreneur, who

vascular exercise and riding in Accra

has a track record of ventures with

you get to see the city in a way that

an eco-friendly remit, co-founded Go

is not in a rush, experiencing more

City Cycle in 2018 with his business

than travelling in a car or tro tro can

partner Kevin Apeku. Currently, the

give you. You are also contributing to

project has 25 of its distinctive bright

reducing and reversing Co2 emissions

yellow-framed bicycles available for

and the negative impact fuel cars

FLYafrica

11

have on the environment.

“There’s definitely more than few challenges in getting cycling to become part of the culture in Ghana, but that’s why we are here to slowly create a culture and trend for cycling.

We intend to introduce multiple bike-sharing fleets across the whole country with mobile phone tracking and a payment app. We will pilot the scheme on university campuses before scaling up country-wide operations.”

Cycling lessons Accra and Ghana’s other major cities still have far to travel before they accept bicycles as a viable option for commuting or leisure trips.

While cyclists are a common sight in more rural areas, in urban centres the car is the star. In a metropolis like Accra, having your own car is a status symbol, even if it means you mostly get to enjoy it broiling

The unisex bikes are all identical, simple to use and maintained in excellent working order by an in-house mechanic

motionless in gridlocked traffic. For many living in the capital, cycling is

and comfort to people of all ages and

ridden a bicycle before. The safety

gender, hence the low cross bar that

fears of cycling novices only add

enables users to easily mount and

to the barriers of taking up the

dismount.

pastime. Go City Cycles has sought

“The rental rate starts at GHC10 per

to address this cycling proficiency

hour if you’re bringing the bike back

gap with group tuition sessions at

on the same day, but you can rent for

the weekends.

a monthly subscription period with a

“Since we began, we have had a

membership card for GHC 200 and

lot of people requesting lessons so

get to keep the bikes in your house

we decided to put together training

for that period.”

sessions on Saturdays in Ako Adjei,”

However long you rent for you’ll

Boadi says. “We charge 300 Ghc per

be provided with a safety helmet and

month as that’s how long it usually

a reflective vest. Your bike will also

takes for our trainers to get students

have been serviced by Go City Cycle’s

to a level where they can handle,

mechanic, whose services remain

balance, and manoeuvre their way to

available throughout your rental

destinations safely.”

period should any repairs and tweaks

to sustain the business, offering bike

be needed.

tours of Accra to visitors to the city.

Once people feel safe in the saddle the Go City Cycles fleet is there for

12

“We chose these bikes to give ease

so alien an option they have never

fleet is available to anyone.

Go City Cycle has also diversified

The guided tours take in landmarks

them to use. The unisex bikes are all

Hub for cyclists

identical, simple to use and main-

The bikes can be found in Osu

tained in excellent working order by

at Impact Hub Accra, a creative

Art Center, the Kwame Nkrumah

an in-house mechanic. Each bike has

working space that includes Go City

memorial, Makola market and many

a shopping basket, adjustable saddle

Cycle among its membership of

more pit stops along the way. They

height and dropped cross bar and is

innovative start-ups aiming to add

have proved so popular that Go

available to hire for short, impromptu

to life in Ghana. The hub houses

City Cycle has added a night tour –

trips or to take home for longer use

creatives from all over the world and

essentially a party on two wheels in

once all forms and ID checks have

they have taken to the bikes as a way

which the bikes are lit up with neon

been provided.

of traversing the city, but use of the

tubing on the frames and spokes

TAKE YOUR PICK Bikes for hire

such as Independence Arch, Osu Castle, Jamestown, the Accra

CYCLING HUB The Go City Cycles headquarters in Osu

SEE THE CITY Cycling opens up a different side to Accra

piloted in Accra, can be picked up and the guide is playing tunes from

and dropped off by members of the

a boombox as he rides in front. The

scheme at a number of set locations

tour group also gets to bond over

around the city.

a meal at Theia House, a café inside Impact Hub Accra.

“Our tours give people a unique

It’s an exciting development and one that will begin to spread the word on cycling as a necessity rather than

appreciation of the city,” Boadi says.

a novelty. It will take time, but for his

“On two wheels is the best way to

mother, for Accra, for Ghana, Boadi is

explore. That’s the future of commut-

in it for the long ride.

ing as we plan it to be.”

The next step towards that future is the bike sharing. Boadi has plans in place for the production of more than 100 Ghana-made timber frame bicycles, which, once the scheme is

For more information on Go City Cycle, to book tours and buy membership for cycle hire, visit gocitycycle.com

Why bikes are best • On a bicycle, you can travel three times faster than you can walk, for the same amount of energy.

• Bike parking takes up to eight times less space than cars, helping to free up space.

• It is 20 times cheaper to maintain a bicycle than a car.

• Cycling is one of the best pastimes for people who want to reduce the risk of having heart disease or a stroke.

• Cycling saves a third of road space compared to driving to cut congestion.

FLYafrica

13

STAR DESTINATION

Takoradi

14

Gerhard Pettersson / Shutterstock.com

rosn123 / Shutterstock.com

As twin cities, Sekondi and Takoradi are far from identical, with the former a sleepy fishing port dotted with crumbling remnants of the centuries old tug of war for colonial control between Dutch and British forces while the latter has shot up in recent years into an industrial centre boosted by the discovery of offshore oil and now its coastline is fringed with global franchise hotels. With AWA offering up to three daily flights to Takoradi airport, many travellers use it as a gateway to the array of idyllic Atlantic beaches that lie further west, but here are a few reasons you may want to hang around ‘Oil City’ and its older twin.

OCEAN VIEW Enjoying the beach in Takoradi

TRAVEL: AWA flies from

the centre of the city and you’ll

Kotoka International Airport,

find a restaurant and a lodge if

Accra, to Takoradi Airport

you want to stay longer. Early

twice a day each day of the

morning visits will find the

week. The first flight leaves

monkeys at their most active.

at 7am and arrives at 7.40am, while the second leaves at 12.40pm and arrives at 1.20pm.

DO: Takoradi’s huge outdoor market, known as ‘Market

On Fridays there is an extra

Circle’ because of the loop its

flight that leaves Accra at

stalls form around the centre

has become something of an

4.20pm and arrives in Takoradi

of the city, is a great way to

institution in the city since it

at 5pm. To book flights, visit

get a feel for life here and pick

opened in 2013. A state-of-the-

flyafricaworld.com

up a bargain or two from the

art La Marzocco coffee machine

bewildering array of gods. Last

ensures fantastic cappuccinos,

year, President Akufo-Addo

espressos and lattes while

announced a very welcome

food is a mix of European

EUR 48 million modernisation

pastries and hearty sandwiches,

programme for the market,

including the signature ‘T-Rex’

which has been beset with

that stacks turkey, cheese, a

sanitation and fire safety issues.

boiled egg, lettuce and tomato

SEE: Sekondi is steeped in history and it is worth travelling the 10km north-east along the coast to mooch among its colonial remains. You can explore the ramparts of Fort Orange – originally a Dutch

on your choice of bread.

fort as the name suggests, but

At 25km east of Takoradi, the

which was claimed by the British

small coastal town is worth a

The Body Clock Restaurant

in 1872 – that offer wonderful

day trip to take in Ghana’s third

has a prime beachfront location

views over the town. If you’re up

oldest fortified building, Fort

within the Africa Beach Hotel,

there in the early morning you’ll

St Sebastien. It was built in

but also distinguishes itself with

see the colourful fishing boats

the 1520s by the Portuguese

excellent seafood and steaks.

coming into the harbour where

to deter English sailors from

their catch is sorted and sold in

getting involved in trade in the

a hive of activity at the market.

The well-preserved colonial railway station is also worth a look as is the cluster of century-

town. Guided tours are available throughout the day.

EAT: Coffee Corner is run

SLEEP: Takoradi has Ghana’s largest concentration of hotels outside of Accra and Kumasi.

Its upmarket hotels tend to hog the coast with Planters Lodge, a

old homes above the harbour

by a couple of Dutch coffee

former Royal Air Force officers’

known as ‘European Town’.

and food enthusiasts and

mess set among beautifully

Despite the rapid urbanisation

landscaped grounds, the pick of some quality options.

rosn123 / Shutterstock.com

of Takoradi, a patch of forest just outside the centre of town

If you want a beach setting, but

has survived. Known as Monkey

not the premium price tag, Trust

Hill, it supports growing

Lodge is found on hotel-haven

populations of olive colobus

Beach Road and offers lush

and spot-nosed monkeys. It’s

gardens and reasonably priced,

close enough to wander to from

spacious rooms.

FLYafrica

15

Library of African origin authors brings

a return to reading

The Library of Africa and the African Diaspora (Loatad) is a boon for bibliophiles in Accra. Here you can explore its collection of more than 4,000 books by authors of African descent or book a stay at one of its guest rooms, themed around pioneering writers. Loatad founder Sylvia Arthur (right) talks to FLYafrica about how the collection grew out of her own love of reading and how she hopes the West Legon library and its outreach projects in Ghana will connect the country to its literary heritage as well as champion literacy and creativity.

16

HOME OF READING The library’s main room

G

hana can at times be a heart-

home in East Legon, which is large enough

breaking experience for visitors

to accommodate the most prominent

from the African diaspora. There

works among the library’s now more than

are few more despairing messages than

4,000-strong collection as well as guest

the ‘The door of no return’ – inscribed

rooms, a special collections/archive area, a

above the portal where up until the mid

screening room and an extensive outdoor

18th century slaves were ushered into

event space.

New World-bound ships at Cape Coast Castle, now an essential stop for many

A literary haven

on birth-right tours of the country. Yet,

Inside, the library brings Arthur’s love of

the country also represents the creativity

books to life. Works by well-known and

that has risen resilient from these dark

less discovered writers of African descent

days. Among the places to connect to

from the late 19th century to the present

that culture is the Library of Africa and the

day fill towering wooden bookcases while

African Diaspora (Loatad), a literary oasis

framed photographs of pioneering authors

in West Legon, Accra, with access to more

such as Toni Morrison and James Baldwin

than 4,000 works – many rare and out of

along with the iconic original cover art

print – by authors of African descent. Its

for classics such as Ralph Ellison’s The

founder, Sylvia Arthur, who has described

Invisible Man line the walls and corridors.

Loatad as a “decolonised library”, says

The main space is bathed in natural light

there is a sense of homecoming and

from large windows and under each one

belonging to be found within its book-

a hand-carved Ashanti stool provides the

lined walls.

ideal spot to sit and browse through a

She says: “When you pass through our doors, you pass through what a visitor

selected book.

Purchase a full annual library member-

on one of our tours called ‘The Door of

ship (starting from GHS 1200 or US$ 200)

Return’. That’s because it’s a symbolic and

and this haven of peace and learning is

literal return to knowledge of self through

available to use throughout its opening

our literature and is the antithesis of Cape

hours whether you want a centre for

Coast’s ‘Door of No Return.’

research, intellectual refuge or just peace

“The library exists to show people,

and quiet. Full members can also borrow

particularly those of us of African descent,

four works at a time from the collection

that we are all connected and that what

(a standard membership, starting from

we’ve been told about ourselves, our

GHS 600 or US$ 100, allows two books

people, and our history in regards to our

to be borrowed at a time, but without the

literary and intellectual scholarship is false.

opportunity to use the library facilities),

Our tourism industry has been so monopo-

which Arthur regularly adds to, she says,

lised by the experience of slavery that it’s

“to reflect the scope of African and dias-

easy to overlook our resilience and achieve-

pora literature”.

ments. Loatad serves as a recognition and a celebration of both.”

Arthur, who was born and raised in

She adds: “In the past, I used to buy books for myself. Since opening the library, I buy books that are a good fit for our

the UK to Ghanaian parents, launched

members and that expand the collection,

the library soon after deciding to set up

by genre, geography and generation. When

home in Accra in 2017. Then it was called

buying, I ask myself: What gaps exist in the

Libreria Ghana and made available Arthur’s

collection? What are the key works that

collection of 1,300 books that the vora-

every library and collector should have?

cious reader had taken just five years to

How can I develop the archive? We’ve also

accumulate. Arthur kept adding to the

been fortunate to receive book donations

collection and it soon outgrew the one-

from supporters as far afield as the United

room office that housed it, prompting the

States and the UK who connect with

Loatad rebrand and a move to its current

our vision and want to contribute to our FLYafrica

17

development. The current collec-

Nkrumah’s private secretary, Michael

tion includes work by writers from

Dei-Anang, who was a respected

the African continent, the Americas,

writer and poet in his own right.

the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond.

“We have a complete collection

We have books by writers from 41 of

of first edition books by [legendary

Africa’s 54 countries.”

Ghanaian writer] Ayi Kwei Armah,

While she is considerate of the

signed and some come with personal

membership in building the library’s

letters. We also have a wonderful

collection, reading has always meant

collection of original, first edition

something very personal to Arthur.

African Writers Series books, and

She credits books with getting her

a signed Chinua Achebe [Nigerian

through a particularly isolating time

author of classic ‘Things Fall Apart’].

working in Europe as a corporate

“One of the oldest books in our

communications consultant. What

collection is an 1898 poetry volume

began as an “exhilarating” opportu-

by the African American writer, Paul

nity descended into frustration as she

Laurence Dunbar. We have a 1928 first

saw the UK’s preparations for Brexit

edition of ‘Chaka’ by Basotho writer

conflict with her work promoting the

Thomas Mofolo and a typewriter

freedom of movement of EU citizens.

that’s the same make and model used

She says: “The African American

by South African writer Bessie Head.

writer James Baldwin said: ‘You

We are part library, part museum. Our

think your pain and your heartbreak

collection is broad and deep.”

are unprecedented in the history of

Arthur, who has had work

the world, but then you read. It was

published herself – her play, ‘Obama

books that… connected me with all

and Me’, which chronicles many of

the people who were alive, who had

the barriers that her idealism ran up

ever been alive.’ Living and working

against in Europe, enjoyed a success-

in mainland Europe was extremely

ful country-hopping tour – believes

isolating and I got connection from

the library will prove an inspirational

African literature in a way that I wasn’t

place for authors to write, think and

getting from real people I encoun-

discover. With this in mind, she has

tered in my everyday life.

put plans in place for a writers-in-

“I learnt a lot about the labour market, migration, and competing

There is inspiration in being surrounded by culturally significant books and images of the writers who created them who fancy some literary-themed leave.

residence scheme.

“The rooms provide a unique travel

“There is inspiration in being

experience,” Arthur says. “The main

national interests, and I got to travel

surrounded by beautiful, historic,

suite is the ‘Ama Ata Aidoo’, named

around Europe, but I also experienced

culturally significant books and

after the pioneering feminist writer. It

its darker side: the wilful ignorance

images of the writers who created

has an en-suite and its own balcony

and downright racism. After a few

them,” she says. “For me, the archive

with views towards Great Hall at the

years, I’d had enough. I moved to

is fundamental, as is being in commu-

University of Ghana. Then there’s the

Ghana and the rest is history.”

nity with like-minded writers in an

Ayi Kwei Armah, who is best known

intellectually stimulating environment.

for his 1968 state-of-the-nation novel,

We recently closed an open call for a

‘The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet

Loatad acts as a compendium of

programme we’re running in partner-

Born’. Finally, the B Kojo Laing, in

connections from a pantheon of

ship with the Savannah Centre for

honour of one of my favourite writers,

writers who capture and articulate

Contemporary Art (SCCA) in which

who was clearly ahead of his-time.

the African experience. The sense

successful applicants will spend

Each room contains a biography

of belonging to something greater

two weeks with us in Accra and two

is there in the library’s archive room,

weeks at the SCCA in Tamale. We

which is a treasure trove of totemic

received close to 70 submissions from

artefacts and rare books, including

writers across Africa and the diaspora

signed copies of works by Ghana’s

and we’re looking forward to hosting

first president.

them in May, pandemic permitting.”

Signed copies

Arthur says: “We have two signed

18

which are very rare. Some of them are

tastes and needs of the growing

RARE BOOKS The collection includes first editions and signed copies

of the writer, framed pictures and posters on the walls, and a book or two from the writer’s oeuvre so that guests can get to know the work of these great Ghanaian writers.”

Loatad has also become the hub of a creative community with a series

books by Kwame Nkrumah, but we

Guest rooms

usually only display one because of

As well as putting up writers, Loatad’s

the best in local music, writing and

its unique backstory, which involves

three guest rooms – each themed

spoken word.

the then-US Ambassador to Ghana,

around influential Ghanaian writers –

the former Governor of Michigan, and

are available to book to any visitors

of regular events that showcase

Arthur says: “We have three key event strands that happen

they now can’t get enough of books.

African literary history and have

To see a child fall in love with books is

attracted visitors from across Africa,

to witness his/her horizons broaden

the United States, the Caribbean,

before your very eyes.”

and Europe”, but new tour options

The library’s work is also not just

have been introduced. The Mbari

restricted to the written word. Ghana

Experience, is a deep dive into the

has a strong tradition or oral storytell-

optimism and creative exuberance

ing and Loatad is working to show-

of The Mbari Artists and Writers

case and preserve these tales.

NEW HOME Loatad can be found in Accra’s West Legon

“We have a project called Women Reading Women, which is a crowd-

Club in 1960s Nigeria. Arthur says: “Our outdoor performance space is named after the club and is decked in

sourced audio archive of African

pictures of the Mbari’s leading lights,

women stories read by African

who we discuss and whose work we

women,” Arthur says. “We recently

go into in detail on the tour.”

received funding from the Goethe-

Work is also under way to develop

Institut to add an oral element to the

a children’s tour for nine to 15-year-

project, collecting unwritten stories

olds that will, Arthur says, “introduce

from Ghanaian women along the

them to the African literary canon in a

southern coast. To us, oral storytelling

fun, engaging way”.

is just as worthy of preservation as

Young or old, a world of enlighten-

written storytelling. They’re two sides

ment and connection awaits anyone

of the same coin.”

who passes through the ‘door of return’ into this library.

on a regular basis: Music That

Guided tours

Matters, a live music event similar

Efforts have also been made to make

to [popular online series of intimate

the collection and archives of the

To support Loatad’s work, visit

live concerts] NPR’s Tiny Desk;

library headquarters in West Legon

patreon.com/loatad

Outspoken, a platform showcas-

appeal to as wider group of people

ing emerging spoken word artists,

as possible. Arthur has been leading

and The Storytellers, which profiles

the twice-monthly public tours of

To book tours, find out about

Ghanaian storytellers of different

the library, which, she says, are a

membership and upcoming events,

kinds, in their own words. We’re also

60-minute “scholarly journey through

visit the website at loatad.org

Follow on Instagram @loatad_org

planning a festival for women.

“We hope that all these events will take place physically, but the pandemic has shown us that we need to

Library’s leading lights

fast-track our digital strategy, includ-

Sylvia Arthur recommends five works from the library’s collection that cover

ing online events, so we can continue to produce the great events we’re known for and extend our reach.”

That reach has stretched far beyond the walls of the library from the start. With an expansive collection that is too much for one library, Arthur has since 2018 established a series of Little Librerias, bringing high quality

each region of the continent.

‘Woman at Point Zero’, by

white, middle-aged

ride through politically

Nawal El Saadawi (Egypt)

professor.

turbulent 1970s Accra

A classic that examines the psychological trauma of female oppression, from birth to adulthood,

‘Silence Is My Mother Tongue’, by Sulaiman Addonia (Eritrea/

with a cast of zany characters rendered in beautiful prose.

and what happens when

Ethiopia)Set in a refugee

‘La Bastarda’,by

in underprivileged communities.

it drives a woman to

camp in Sudan, this

Trifonia Melibea Obono

Schools in Ashaiman and Kumawu

breaking point.

intimate novel dissects the

(Equatorial Guinea)

ways society wages war

The first novel by an

on women and explores

Equatorial Guinean

books to schools and organisations

have benefitted and Loatad have also been involved in projects to improve

‘Disgrace’, by J.M.

the literacy skills of the children of

Coetzee (South Africa)

market women in Accra and teenage

A truly great novel that

footballers in Nima.

exposes the sizzling

“The impact has been huge,” says Arthur. “We’ve seen children go from being barely literate or reluctant readers to excitedly coming to the library at every opportunity because

the stories we must tell to

woman to be translated

survive in a broken world.

into English, La Bastarda

tensions of race and

‘Search Sweet Country’,

orphan Okomo, who

power in post-apartheid

by B. Kojo Laing (Ghana)

dreams of finding her

South Africa through

A masterpiece that

father and herself.

the story of a disgraced,

takes the reader on a

is the powerful story of

FLYafrica

19

Relationship and Reconciliation Principles of Reconciliation 1. You have to begin to accept your fault and review your own self.

2. Total forgiveness.

Forgive yourself and forgive the other person as well. Never try to put on probation saying you’ve forgiven but watching of the person will change especially giving months to look for change. That is probation.

De Lady Rev is a pastor, radio presenter, author and motivational speaker and is now FLYafrica’s resident life coach. In this issue she shares advice on reconciling and reviving a relationship.

Follow De Lady Rev on Facebook at de Lady Rev and Instagram @de_lady_rev

20

3. Clear communication.

Get to know more about what happened and talk to yourselves to know what you did wrong in other to do away with what caused the break-up. Don’t assume because you are having sex again or they are sending you money that you are back. That is a rematch. Have a clear communication to set things right as to why you are back.

4. Take it easy and take your time.

The person you know is not the same person you are now encountering after reconciliation so take it easy. There could be many problematic reasons for their return. Such as: • They have relationship issues (take it easy).

• People reconcile for revenge (take it easy).

• People reconcile because they are broken (take it easy).

• People reconcile because they want to milk you (take it easy).

For all these reasons, you must take it easy but then know that aside all these, there are still genuine reasons why people may like to reconcile.

ART NOLDOR RESIDENCY OFFERS BOOST FOR

ARTIST’S MIND AND BODY OF WORK

Non-profit organisation Noldor is inviting applications for its prestigious solo artist residency.

The project, the first of its kind in Ghana, was launched last year to support the work of an emerging African artist. FLYafrica speaks to last year’s recipient, Ghanaian artist Emmanuel Taku, about the creative launchpad the residency provides while Noldor founder Joseph Awuah-Darko reveals prestigious new additions to the team and plans for expansion.

E

mmanuel Taku graduated from

apart with its holistic approach to

on the screen. And naturally as a

Accra’s prestigious Ghanatta

nurturing the chosen artist’s creativ-

seasoned collector myself, I wanted to

College of Arts and Design –

ity. Three weeks of access to the

know more. When I approached Taku

where alumni include the internation-

materials and studio space of the vast

and we had a deep conversation, I

ally renowned Amoaka Boafo and

Noldor warehouse is followed by a

was really stunned by his commitment

Kwesi Botchway – but in the decade

week-long wellness retreat led by a

to his practice and knowledge of his

that followed, the striking figurative

clinical psychologist.

decade-long journey as a relatively

works Taku produced, using a variety

Noldor founder and director

of materials, from acrylic to textiles

Joseph Awuah-Darko launched the

and newspapers, made few waves

residency to nurture emerging African

outside the capital. To make a living,

artistic talent and says Taku’s work

he returned to teaching visual arts to

immediately stood out when it came

college students.

to choosing a winner from among the

However, in the autumn of last

hundreds of applications. Here was

obscure practitioner. Finally, I was also adamant with my team that the first artist-in-residence come from Ghana.”

MIXED MEDIA Emmanuel Taku uses magazine cuttings and screen printing in his works

For Taku, the residency gave him the platform he needed to take his work to another level. “It has truly been an eye-opening experience,” he says. “As

year, he experienced what he calls “a

an under-the-radar, homegrown artist

someone who has been practicing in

turning point” when he was selected

pursuing his own distinct vision.

obscurity for 10 years, it feels good

to be the first artist-in-residence at

He says: “I felt a personal

to have alchemised my practice in

the Noldor’s art studio in Accra’s

connection the first time I saw his

ambitious large format. Before Joseph

beachside Labadi district.

anthropomorphic figures on my

‘discovered’ my work, I was using social

Instagram feed. There was something

media as a democratic conduit to

such a residency in Ghana and the

special about his mixed medium

sell my work, but had little traction or

four-week programme also sets itself

approach that just jumped at me

meaningful exposure to be a part of

The non-profit is the first to offer

FLYafrica

21

the wider contemporary art ecology. I

in India and expanding in reach before

have done a full ‘180’ and can now see

becoming adopted into a British

a meaningful career doing what I love

sensibility and finally, the sartorial

with tangible longevity.”

mainstream. I’ve always worn paisley.

New collection

media as a symbol of supposed truth,

Taku began his residency in

which we all fall prey to.”

“The newspapers capture the

November, gaining around-the-clock

The Noldor residency seems to

access to Noldor’s cavernous studio.

have brought Taku the confidence

Its 150 sq m of space was initially

not just to work on large canvases,

“intimidating”, he says, but it allowed

but also address the grand themes

him to create larger, more adventur-

that connect his collection as well.

ous work. His three weeks there gave

He has also felt ready to take on new

him an unprecedented opportunity to

techniques. The paisley patterns were

focus on his craft and soon a body of

achieved through screen printing,

work took shape.

which Taku had not attempted before.

‘Temple of Blackness – It Takes

Taku also credits the week at an

Two’, a collection of 10 paintings

equestrian retreat – a grand stables

created during Taku’s time at Noldor,

and living space on the outskirts of

was conceived as an effort to reclaim

Accra which has been owned by the

a black narrative and identity. The

Awuah-Darko family for the past four

title plays on an affecting phrase Taku

years – in giving him the oppor-

heard used by British-Ghanaian artist

tunity to explore personal themes

John Akomfra to describe his child-

and use them creatively. The week

hood feelings of awe and dislocation

allowed Taku time to commune with

as he gazed at the works of UK icons

nature, read, reflect and take part in

such as John Constable and JMW

art therapy sessions with a clinical

Turner in museums, which he termed

psychologist – “we all refer to her as

year-long junior fellowships. Each

‘temples of whiteness’.

Baabs,” says Awuah Darko.

year a senior fellow is also appointed.

Taku says: “I just remembered

CREATIVE SPACE The Noldor’s exhibition space

Awuah-Darko has been keen to build a family of artists at the studio with a host of upcoming talent awarded

They will be more established artists

how that clicked for me, and I had

A safe environment

a deep desire to flip this rhetoric on

The wellness retreat was very much

with Miro-inspired chandelier – and

its head and essentially create my

Awuah Darko’s idea – the filmmaker,

library from which to share their skills

own ‘Temple of Blackness’ capturing

social entrepreneur and musician is

and complete their own body of work

black people as demi-gods or heroes

a vocal champion of mental wellness

over the year of their tenure.

without pupils or eyes.”

and starred in the 2018 documentary

who get their own studio – complete

Ghanaian artist Gideon Appah, who

The blank-eyed sinuous figures

‘It’s Okay’, which examined his own

has just been appointed as Noldor’s

of Taku’s collection, often painted as

struggles with depression – so was

first senior fellow, acted as a mentor to

twins in replicated poses do have an

delighted when Taku shared how much

Taku during his residency. The advice

otherworldly power and majesty. Their

he had got out of the week away.

was welcome. As a mixed media artist

muscular physiques are tattooed with

He says: “In my conversations with

newspaper and magazine cuttings

Taku, whom I consider a great friend,

and draped in flowing garments

he has mentioned how beneficial it was

decorated with paisley print.

to have a safe space to openly discuss

Taku, who is fond of sporting

FIRST RESIDENT Emmanuel Taku

aspects of his life during the residency.

who has blazed an international trail with recent shows including a solo exhibition in New York, Appah has long been an inspiration to Taku.

Awuah-Darko was also a fan of

paisley himself, is aware of the accu-

This felt so fulfilling to hear. Because

Appah’s work and considered him the

sations of cultural appropriation that

this is what I think will move the discus-

perfect fit as mentor and senior fellow.

surround the fabric with its signature

sions on mental health forward – creat-

“Gideon was the first artist I ever seri-

patterns actually lifted from East India

ing safe environments to have said

ously collected, rather precociously,

during British colonial rule. It is all part

discussions in the first place.”

about three years ago, and as a

of the palimpsest of stories that make

There is also a creative

up identity, which the artist aims to reflect in his work.

“The use of floral paisley prints comes from my personal fascination with the pattern and fabric that has always been a part of my life since youth,” Taku says. “I also felt that paisley represents a melting pot of cultural identity; first being fashioned 22

environment at Noldor’s Labadi base.

friend it has been amazing to see him blossom to become such as amazing

As someone who has been practising in obscurity for 10 years, it feels good to have alchemised my practice in ambitious large format

talent. I have a deep respect for Gideon’s practice and visual language, but more so I respect his willingness to mentor Emmanuel Taku during the course of his tenure as an artist-in-residence. That openness to engage and offer support to an up-and-coming practitioner embodies the spirit of

More emerging African art at ADA Another gallery that continues to raise awareness of the work of emerging artists across Africa and its diaspora is the ADA \ contemporary art gallery in Accra’s Airport Residential Area.

The gallery’s latest exhibition is Enter Paradise by South African artist Zandile Tshabalala. Barely in her 20s and still a university student, the Sowetoborn Tshabalala has already had her work shown at galleries in London and Johannesburg, but this is the first solo exhibition and brings together a series of self-portraits revisiting the representation of the Black female figure throughout art history.

Enter Paradise is on display until April 18 at ADA, which can be found at the Villagio Vista. For more details, visit ada-accra.com

what we seek to achieve at Noldor.”

international media as well as crowds

continent [Africa], who has spent

of art lovers, among them Taku’s

over three years pursuing their prac-

mixed media experience he shared

students – a gesture that “warmed my

tice and has been technically training

with Taku brought a special under-

heart”, he says.

in some capacity tied to their work as

For his part, Appah found the

standing to their work together.

“It is always profoundly intrigu-

Now the Noldor team is consid-

an artist. Character and authenticity

ering the candidates for the 2021

are also something we look for in our

ing when there are parallels that

residency. Awuah-Darko has

selection of artists, and I am endlessly

exist in the work between mentor

ambitious long-term plans for the

excited to find a gem with a unique

and mentee,” he says. “Exploring

non-profit organisation – he has

point of view. Though I am open to

the commonalities while being able

just announced the appointment of

both genders, I am interested to see

to offer substantiated critique on

award-winning architect Sir David

what female applicants have in store

Taku’s work throughout his visual

Adjoye as its Advisory Patron to

for us this year, as they seem to be

development was a privilege. Our

help Noldor achieve its vision – and

lacking within the mainstream conver-

shared desire to capture near utopian

hopes to unearth another original

sations surrounding great artists.”

abstraction in our work was also

African talent as the second artist-

another interesting discovery on my

in-residence, building on the high

ered have until the end of August

part and I am very pleased with his

standards set by Taku.

to apply. If you are looking for that

progress. I strongly believe that Taku

He says: “For 2021, I am truly

has a bright future and am elated to

hoping to find someone from the

Artists interested in being consid-

“turning point” in your career, this could be your chance.

bear witness to his growth.”

Taku credits his time at Noldor with giving him the confidence to grow as an artist. In a conversation with Appah record on the Noldor website, he says: “Growth can be a scary thing but it is good to have someone who believes in you, empowering and enabling you to push your limits, and delve deeper into the true meaning of

Application instructions Required material: A current CV or artist résumé Artist statement/biography

your practice.”

A statement of intent

New candidates

Two professional references with contact information for each

‘Temples of Blackness – It Takes Two’, Taku’s and the Noldor residency’s first exhibition, was unveiled in December.

It ran from December 4 until January 17 and attracted the interest of

Work samples – ZIP file including up to 10 images of work as digital images no larger than 1MB each and labelled

lastname_1, lastname_2, etc. Include a description sheet with your name, the image name, the work’s title, date executed, dimensions and media.

Once you have all the requirements, send them to info@noldorresidency.com Noldor does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sex, race, national origin, religion, age, or sexual orientation. We consider ourselves a safe space for all.

FLYafrica 23

TECHcorner Up your video conferencing game With more of us working from home nowadays, video conferencing has become the way to keep in touch with colleagues and clients. While it allows for some sartorial shortcuts – with only our top halves visible, smart shirts and underwear is suddenly a work uniform option (who’ll know?) – there is much you can do to ensure you project a professional image and stay focused throughout the call. So, it’s time to join the session and find out our top tech picks to up your video conferencing game.

Get the best audio…

Apple AirPods

Stay refreshed quietly…

Dualit Classic Kettle

Sound quality is crucial in video meetings and if you are relying on your computer’s mic and speakers, you will likely experience poor acoustics and/or an echo. Apple AirPods are ideally suited to voice calls with good wireless connectivity and excellent noise-cancelling so you won’t be distracted by household noise. With their elliptical silicone tips, they sit comfortably in the ears throughout the longest meetings and while their sound profile might not be the most dynamic for music lovers, their clear, crisp tone is perfect for voice calls.

Benefit: Good connectivity and noisecancelling

Some team video calls can go on a bit and leave you thirsting for a cuppa. However, the screech of a boiling kettle can be disruptive and you know if you mute your mic while it boils that will be the time your boss asks you a searching question. Fear not, though, because the Dualit Classic Kettle is fitted with Quiet Mark-approved Whisper Boil with no whistling, high-pitched frequencies. It’s also fitted with a super-fast 3Kw element for a quick boiling time, meaning you can grab a drink and no-one will notice you’ve been away.

Benefit: Almost silent boiling won’t disrupt your meeting

Price: US$ 199 apple.com

Price: US$ 205 dualit.com

24

Look good on camera…

Logitech C310 HD Webcam If you are relying on your laptop webcam for your video calls, you are probably used to fuzzy footage and the awful placement of the camera means your colleagues are more likely to be fascinated with the contents of your nostrils than your presentation. A cheap external webcam can often do a much better job than a built-in device and you can place it where you like for a more flattering angle. The Logitech C310 HD Webcam can attach to either your laptop or desktop computer screen and offers crisp high-definition images with auto light correction. Not bad for under US$ 50.

Benefit: High-resolution wide screen video calls Price: US$ 49.99 Logitech.com

Improve your lighting…

Kogan LED Ring Light If you have to present to a team during a video call or are being interviewed for a television programme, you’ll want to be looking your best. Video conferencing apps such as Zoom do have a touch-up feature to soften your skin tone (ideal for early morning meetings), but if you want studio-quality lighting, go for the eight-inch Kogan LED Ring Light. Its 96 LED bulbs emits soft, shadowless light to enhance your complexion and makes you look a million dollars.

Benefit: Flawless video quality Price: US$ 49.99 kogan.com

Use a virtual background…

Minted digital wallpapers Not all of us are lucky enough to have our own study or office to work in at home and provide a professional backdrop for our video calls. If your kitchen table has become your workspace of late and you are not too keen about letting your colleagues see a sink piled high with dirty dishes and the destruction that resulted from thinking making your own pizza with the kids would be a good bonding experience, you could download a virtual background.

Zoom allows this – at least if you have a PC, sorry Mac users – and there are plenty of online sites with attractive options to choose from. Minted has a great selection, all of which are free to download. If your video call is for work, make sure you choose a background that isn’t too light-hearted and which doesn’t detract from the main star of the show – you.

Benefit: Hides a messy home and are fun Price: Free minted.com

FLYafrica 25

Bosom P-Yung

‘I am on a mission to change African sound’

Everyone is talking about Bosom P-Yung. The young Ghanaian rapper burst onto the scene last year with his breakout, break-up track ‘Attaa Adwoa’. With his dyed pink hair and playful raps that flipped between Twi and English over spare electronic beats, no-one looked like him or sounded like him. The University of Ghana graduate has gone on to become one of the country’s hottest stars. In an exclusive interview, he talks to FLYafrica about how he came up with his signature ‘trad trap’ sound and why being true to himself has helped him stand out in a world saturated by music.

26

IN THE PINK The rapper has a distinctive look

I

f you are a music fan, chances are you have not forgotten the first time you saw the video for ‘Attaa

Adwoa’, the debut single by Bosom P-Yung. In it, the Berekum-born P-Yung stands in a bare studio, its four walls coloured as bright a shade of pink as the singer’s dyed hair.

The scene has a cartoon-like quality, further embellished by P-Yung’s oversized sunglasses, manic facial expressions and his goofy dance moves triggered by the lullaby-sweet beginnings of the track. Soon synthesised beats break in and P-Yung is rapping like a man possessed, his rapid-fire verses occasionally taking flight into auto-tuned falsetto. However, amid the confident, strutting performance, it soon begins clear that P-Yung is detailing a painful break-up and his ragged delivery of the line “you

musical path. ‘Attaa Adwoa’ was soon

two minutes, but still manages to

are killing me” arrives in shocking

followed with more hits lifted from his

provide a wildly exhilarating mission

counterpoint to the early swagger.

love-lorn debut album, ‘Awiesu’ (the

statement of independence – owe

This combination of showmanship

title translates as ‘done crying’), and

more to the ‘trap’ subgenre of hip

and vulnerability is a rare quality.

before 2020 was over he had released

hop begun in the southern states of

Anyone who has seen it, knows they

a second album, ‘Acheampong Boys’,

the US. P-Yung has even coined a

have witnessed the arrival of a very

full of collaborations with Ghanaian

new genre, for his music, ‘trad-trap’,

special talent.

acts keen to attach themselves to

reflecting the way he weaves English

P-Yung’s rising star. The title track

and Twi expressions in his raps.

P-Yung seems as equally aware of his unique qualities. He admits to an

features another emerging artist,

“The traditional element I bring is

element of calculation in creating a

Kumasi drill rapper Kweku Smoke,

basically my native tongue,” he says. “I

brand designed to stand out among

while Kwesi Arthur, on album opener

make sure I use it majorly in my music

the glut of musical releases, but also

‘Adabi’, and Joey B on hit ‘Bang’ are

and the stories I tell. It’s also there in

believes his singular style is very much

among the other guest stars. P-Yung

my choice of instruments, rhythms

a reflection of who he is.

also has a famous fan in Ghanaian

and the traditional way of singing.”

rap royalty Sarkodie, who was among the first to spread the online love for

Influences

“I was breaking into a saturated

‘Attaa Adwoa’ and the pair teamed up

While P-Yung namechecks highlife

industry at that time,” he tells me.

on Kofi Mole’s track ‘Makoma’.

and hiplife doyens such as Okomfour

Be yourself

“There was the need to standout

Such a roll-call of willing contribu-

Kwadee, Daddy Lumba, Mugeez,

and be different from what everyone

tors is evidence that P-Yung is

Kwadwo Antwi, Efya and Tony Tequila

else was doing. At the same time,

bringing something unique to

as influences on his sound, he wants

your music has to reflect you. It’s

Ghanaian music. Amid the country’s

to put his own stamp on the music of

important to talk about yourself,

party soundtrack of Afrobeats and

the continent.

where you from and what is happen-

hiplife,his stripped down, concisely

ing around you. Bob Marley, Tupac

crafted tracks – check out new single

African sound,” he says. “To add a

and Daddy Lumba did the same and

‘Don’t Trust’, which clocks in at under

flavour to African music and shape

also created new sounds and they became music legends.”

Those are grand comparisons, but P-Yung has already shown enough evidence to prove his quirkiness is more than a gimmick and that he is a prolific talent pursuing his own

“I arrived on a mission to change

There was a need to stand out and be different from what everyone else was doing. At the same time your music has to reflect you FLYafrica 27

loud and then putting that inside the music. I always start my songs from scratch alone and my teams take it from there. My songs are both fictions and non-fictions. I try to capture what others have been through and what probably I might go through.”

Dyeing young At this time he also started dyeing his hair, a move in part inspired by his favourite footballer growing up, Bernard Dong-Bortey, who stood out on the pitch for his peroxide blonde hair as well as his skills on the wing.

He also gave himself a new name, Bosom P-Yung. There may be another cheeky reason for the stage moniker that he is keeping close to his chest, as it were, but he says the name was inspired by the Bible. the people of today for tomorrow.”

While P-Yung may appear to have

Ghana and, in 2019, with his graduation day approaching, he began

MESSAGE Bosom P-Yung feels there is a need for his music

“I love to read and I read the Bible a lot,” he says. “I discovered that in

burst onto the scene fully formed at

to seriously think about a career in

the start of 2020, he says there was

music. “Once university was over, I

“a whole lotta process” in preparing

knew I had to start something and I

he created us as gods too and the

himself for that moment.

believed I had a message to preach

meaning of a lesser god in Twi is

out there,” he says. Soon the sound

Bosom.”

For much of his time growing up in the Bono Region and attending the

and persona of Bosom P-Yung took

Kumasi Anglican Secondary School,

shape.

P-Yung describes himself as just a

Genesis 1:27 it says ‘God created mankind in his own image’. Meaning

It is quite an image created and the music is just as singular. With future

He preferred to work alone on

projects including collaborations with

“nerdy young guy”, but music struck

his music, believing it helped him

Jamaican DJ Popcaan, Ghanaian

something in him. “Once I got my first

sharpen his own voice. “I always felt

singer-songwriter Efya and British

Walkman I fell in love,” he says.

comfortable creating alone because

rapper Kojo Funds, the shockwaves of

this music must talk about where I am

his arrival on the scene are going to

from. Being alone is like thinking out

be felt for some time to come.

He moved to the capital to study political science at the University of

Best of Bosom P Yung He may have only broken onto the scene last year, but his musical output since has been prolific. Here’s five tracks you should definitely seek out.

Attaa Adwo The track that started it all.

Heartfelt, humorous and its music box melody and trap beats still sound like little else.

28

Odo Ndwom

With a striking video shot at Joe Addo’s Jamestown Café by regular collaborator Gordon Appiah, this track evokes the mania of a love you can’t give up.

Foss Dior

Bosom cranks it up in collaboration with Kweku Smoke for this storming hip hop track off the album ‘Acheampong Boys’.

Makoma

Bosom and Sarkodie swap raps over this sweet Afrobeats track from Kofi Mole.

Don’t Trust

An early 2021 release that reveals a new sophistication with stately piano and beats over which Bosom delivers a fevered manifesto for being true to yourself.

Inflight mindfulness with Bliss Yoga Accra @blissyogaaccra

Nana Amoaka-Anin is the founder of Osu yoga and wellness centre Bliss Yoga and she is also, we are very pleased to say, FLYafrica’s inflight mindfulness teacher.

In each issue she will guide you through a physically and spiritually relaxing practice to make your flight fly by.

Stretch away your stiffness Aeroplanes can leave us with less body and leg room than we are used to. Here are a few great ways to relieve cramped, stiff muscles, in flight.

Shoulder stretch Take an aisle break, when allowed and stand, or scoot up to the edge of your seat while sitting. Clasp your hands behind your back and straighten your arms as much possible. Hug your shoulder blades together. Try and let your head drop forward.

Round your spine Round your spine and let your head drop forward.

Hold for some time, as you drop your head, opening up the space between your shoulder blades.

Arch your back Shift as close to the front edge of your seat, with both feet flat on the floor. Put your hands on your knees and straighten your arms as much as possible. Arch your back, lift your chest, and look up.

Twist in your chair One of our favourites is the chair twist, which helps release tension from your spine. Simply twist from to side and place your hands on the armrests for some needed resistance.

Beauty FLYAfrica’s beauty columnist is Ghanaian make-up artist and vlogger Alexandrina.

She is the founder and CEO of Alexiglam, a beauty brand and studio based in Accra, and her make-up skills have been used by homegrown stars such as Juliet Ibrahim and Joselyn Dumas as well as on the catwalk at the New York Fashion show.

How to get brows that are so now!

Hello again my beauties! The New Year brings with it a positively refreshing reset, full of limitless new possibilities.

We use this time to re-think strategies and plan ahead with new approaches, creating mood boards that bring our visions into focus and ultimately help us achieve our best end-results.

So now that we have successfully made it to 2021, we are going to build on the promises we made last year and march forward with fresh new trends to keep us looking fabulous, starting with eyebrows. Say ‘bye-bye’ to drawnon and heavily concealed eyebrows and ‘hello’ to brows that look and feel light and feathery.

Let’s put away those brow crayons, or at least sharpen them to a fine point to create hair-like strokes.

• If you’ve got the brow-hair, then I suggest sparingly tweeze the brows to tidy-up and create definition.

• Brush the brows upwards and trim off any long brow hairs.

• Apply a brow gel to keep the brows in place, whilst bushing brow hairs upwards.

• Fill in any gaps in the brows with a sharpened brow pencil or brow pomade to create full feathery brows.

• Finally, tidy up any mess and create sharp definition with a small amount of concealer on the brow bone.

• TIP: To create the same effect on fully drawn-on brows, use a fine-defined brow brush with concealer (to break up the boldness of the brow) to create the hair-like brow strokes (either at the beginning of the brow, or throughout the entire brow).

For my beauty and skincare items, visit my Instagram page

Find out more about the classes at blissyogaaccra.com or @blissyogaaccra Instagram

@alexiglam and send me a DM. Follow my personal beauty journey @alexandrinamakeup

FLYafrica 29

WINafrica

FLYafrica competition

Win a night’s stay at the Accra City Hotel Accra City Hotel was Ghana’s first internationally branded hotel and three decades later it is still a haven of globalstandard refinement in the heart of the capital. Its elegant 196 rooms and suites come with a host of modern amenities and round-the-clock room service while guests can enjoy its international restaurant, two bars, outdoor pool with sundeck, gym, tennis court and business centre. Should you want to venture out, cultural sites such as Black Star Square and the National Museum are on your doorstep while the shops, restaurants and bars of bustling Osu are just a short walk away. FLYafrica is delighted then that Accra City

Hotel is providing the prize in issue 10. One lucky reader and their guest will win a night’s stay and complimentary buffet breakfast at the hotel. To be in with a chance of winning this magnificent prize, send your answers to the three questions below, along with a picture of yourself holding this issue of FLYafrica on your AWA flight, to awacompetition@landmarine.org

QUESTIONS 1. What is the name of Patience Orlowei’s dress that is exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum of National Art in the US? 2. The people of Ho celebrate a festival every September and October. What is its name?

3. The Library of Africa and the African Diaspora has two signed books by which president of Ghana?

COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Closing date is 10th June 2021. Photographs should be sent along with your entry. One entry per

person. Entrants must be 18 or over. The winning entry will be selected by Land & Marine Publications Ltd. This competition is not open to employees of Africa World Airlines, Accra City Hotel or Land & Marine Publications Ltd.

ER N IN W

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST ISSUE’S WINNER ISSAH TOHA SHAMSOO Issah and a guest of his choice will soon be enjoying a night’s stay at Accra’s La Villa Boutique hotel.

We hope you enjoy your stay, Issah, and thank you for flying Africa World Airlines. To find out more about La Villa Boutique hotel visit lavillaghana.com

Book online 30

flyAfricaWorld.com

Issah Toha Shamsoo

Fola David

Second skin: the dual life of Fola David Multi-hyphenate talent Fola David is a doctor, hyperreal artist, speed painter and a humanitarian. Here the Lagos-based twenty-something reveals to Mark Edwards how he makes time for each role and how each can inspire the other

A

defemi Gbadamosi, better

takes him less than five minutes to

known as Fola David, is

create one of his instantly recog-

a modern-day Nigerian

nisable high-speed portraits – an

super-hero: doctor by day, artist

achievement made all the more

by night. The 27-year-old is much

remarkable by the fact he paints

in demand in both guises and while

each work upside down, righting the

that leaves him little time to rest, he

canvas only when he has finished for

wouldn’t have it any other way.

the big reveal. It’s quite something to

TALENT (right) Dr Fola David and (left) one of his hyperreal portraits

Jesus and since then celebrities from Nigeria and beyond musicians such

“Living life as a medical doctor

witness and his speed-painting has

and artist has been quite exciting

become a popular piece of perfor-

as Patoranking and Trey Songz to

and yes it has its tough periods,” he

mance art on the Lagos club scene.

Enitan Ogunwusi have booked him

says. “Most days I lose sleep for a long

His debut show – which saw him

to entertain their crowds or capture

stretch just to fit it all in.”

first use the stage name Fola David,

their image in a speed-painting

With time, it seems, in such short

an amalgam of his names Folarin

portrait.

supply, perhaps it helps that when it

and David that “turned out quite

comes to one branch of his art, Fola

nice”, he says – was seven years ago.

celebrities both local and interna-

David works fast, superhero fast. It

He began by painting a portrait of

tional,” he says. “I have also graced

Yoruban King Ooni of Ife Adeyeye

“I have worked with countless

FLYafrica

31

the stage with Africa’s biggest acts

looked to his medical other life.

and it has been a wonderful journey.

His work in dermatology during

I have made a lot of friends along the

his medical postings had brought

way including musicians, managers,

him into contact with patients with

dancers, comedians, poets and so

skin conditions such as vitiligo and

many more.”

ichthyosis. For Fola David these

Artistic calling

beautiful and he sought to celebrate

Running in such glamorous circles

them, along with other supposed

turned the young Fola David’s head

flaws such as freckles, wrinkles and

to the life of the artist and he admits

stretch marks, in a series of work

for a time he began to resent

entitled ‘Skin’.

his responsibilities as a medical

These finely detailed portraits not

student, which represented the

only documented skin conditions –

life his education-focused parents

being exhibited in several universi-

wanted for him rather than his own

ties and hospitals across Lagos,

aspirations.

including the Maternity Hospital

However, he not only stuck with the medical training – he holds a degree in medicine and Surgery

– they challenged the conventional notions of beauty.

from the University of Lagos’ College

Beauty in imperfection

of Medicine and is now a GP – he

A campaign ran alongside the collec-

has found he has a passion for it that

tion encouraging people the world

rivals his love of art and has plotted

over to embrace their flaws. He says:

a new way forward in which the two

“I strongly believe our imperfections

careers can converge rather than

make us beautiful, unique and special.

conflict.

I take it as part of my mission to show

At age 18, having just started medical school, Fola David was already starting to take art seriously.

off this beauty through my art as much as possible.

“I have come to see that my art

While he would go on to show he

boosts the self-confidence of people

could also paint flashily fast, here he

living with those conditions.”

was painstakingly involved in creating

The ‘Skin’ series has received

pencil and painted portraits of incred-

international recognition with last

ible clarity. “For my hyper-realistic

year seeing selected works from

artworks, I typically spend a long time

it at the prestigious Saatchi Other

on them. Sometimes they can take up

Art Fair in Chicago, USA. The artist

many months to complete,” he says.

has used his growing profile to help

“The level of detailing is very impor-

spread health messages that are

tant and nothing is left out.”

dear to him.

Most notably, when the first wave

Hyperreal

of coronavirus struck in early 2020,

The results are so lifelike that they

he set up the Fola David Foundation,

can fool the viewer into thinking they

an outreach programme that

circulated professional medical care to those who needed it most across IMPERFECT BEAUTY Fola David’s work reveals the flaws that make us special

Nigeria.

“I saw a need for the proper education of communities about the virus.

With my foundation I was able to give

are looking at a photograph and

out facemasks, teach the importance

Fola David has become a leading

of hand-washing, distribute palliatives

light of the emerging hyperrealist art

because there was a national lock-

community in Nigeria. In 2017 he was

down, and create awareness on other

nominated for The Future Awards

health issues. We have also carried

Africa Prize for Art and Culture and

free medical outreaches in all zones

in the same year the Omenka Gallery,

of Nigeria since inception.”

a prominent contemporary art space

32

markings were striking, unusual and

in Lagos, shone a spotlight on the

Outreach work

homegrown movement in its Insanity

As the pandemic continues so does

exhibition, in 2017, with Fola David

the outreach work with the start of

among the artists featured.

2021 seeing Fola David and self-made

In finding subjects for many of

millionaire Paul Orajiaka’s respec-

these immersive portraits, the artist

tive foundations team up to offer

Images courtesy of Fola David

The results are so lifelike that they can fool the viewer into thinking they are looking at a photograph and Fola David has become a leading light of the emerging hyperrealist art community in Nigeria

three days of medical assistance in

Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi to, he

Anambra State.

says, “position African art on the

Fola David is a very hands-on presence at these events, revealing the

global stage”.

That’s quite a to-do list and

value he places on human interaction

evidence of plenty more sleep-

whether it be in medicine or in art.

less nights to come, but Fola David

Such tireless investment in his work

wouldn’t have it any other way: “My

led to him being nominated last year

practice as a doctor and my work as

for the Nigerian Medical Association’s

an artist are very important parts of

inaugural Young Physician of the Year

me and I will not be dropping anyone

award.

of them for the other.”

International shows The virus has put on hold plans for his art to exhibited in London and

SKIN DEEP (Left) A portrait

by Fola David

Canada, but Fola David continues to work at his studio in Lagos – inspirational music always playing in the background – and he is also working closely with Ooni of Ife

DETAIL The artist at work

FLYafrica 33

EATafrica

The brunch bunch Best places to rise, dine and shine Made for weekends when you are not on the clock, brunch is the maverick mealtime that has shaken up the tried and test triptych of breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It’s big, often boozy – waakye and champagne, anyone?

– and a great way to catch up with friends. Ghana has some great options to give your day a culinary kickstart. Here’s our pick of the best brunches…

The Jamestown Café ACCRA Contact: Call +233 278 488 124 or @Jamestowncafe on Facebook This haven of calm just moments from the hustle and hawkers of Ussher Fort, was set up by architect and educator Joe Addo and it has become a nexus for the community regeneration projects he champions. Saturdays see Joe and an ever-changing line-up of guests broadcast a live radio show, called Sane Gbaa, from the café while at other times you can see live music, visit the upstairs art gallery or browse its bookshop. Open every day is the café itself, housed in the building’s tranquil, leafy courtyard. It’s a great place for classic Ghanaian dishes, fresh juices, smoothies and coffees.

Brunch comes with bubbly here as every Sunday from 11am the café hosts its popular waakye

34

and champagne sessions. The rice and beans staple are served on plantain leaves and the relaxed, party vibe continues all day.

Coco Lounge ACCRA Contact: Call +233 244 222 202 or visit yoloxperiences.com This stylish brasserie in Airport Residential has become one of the most popular places in the capital to enjoy weekend brunch.

It’s run by the pioneering Yolo Experiences – the hospitality franchise’s nightclub Carbon and home furnishing outlet La Maison can also be found in the glass-panelled complex in Liberation Road – and draws a young, cool crowd. This is a place that likes its guests to have fun and if you’re celebrating your birthday, expect the waiting team to break into their own specially choreographed dance

COCO LOUNGE A brunch favourite in the capital Image: Rogerio Voltan

FOOD WITH A VIEW Luxury Restaurant

routine as they ferry a candle-lit cake to your table. The menu has a dizzying choice of woodfired pizzas, burgers, wraps, salads and Asian-fusion rice and noodle dishes, but the all-day breakfast is perfect for a long, lazy brunch. You can spice it up with some champagne or one of its signature cocktails.

However, if you need your brunch to soothe hangover pains from the weekend’s excesses, there is a choice of settling smoothies – such as hibiscus, beetroot and ginger – to sip on.

the market. Its chef and a team of students from the Baobab School for Trades and Traditional Arts serve up a delicious, predominantly plant-based menu full of fresh produce sourced, in the main, from the school’s organic farm. Guests can enjoy brunch classics such as pancakes, porridge and fresh juices as well as local vegan meals and vegetable pies while taking in the sea views from the café’s patio. Buying brunch here also supports the work of the school in providing accommodation and vocational training for vulnerable young teens from the area.

Luxury Restaurant TAMALE Contact: +233 507 463 655 or @VidaLuxuryRestaurantTamale on Facebook Image: Rogerio Voltan / Coco Lounge

Ike’s Cafe and Grill KUMASI Contact: Call +233 503 113 110 or visit the Facebook page @ikescafeandgrillgh This sprawling restaurant is located within the Kumasi Cultural Centre and is fast becoming one of the most memorable dining experiences in the city, winning the Ashanti Region Restaurant of the Year in 2020.

It’s a great place for a friends and family get-togethers for brunch with huge raised terraces under thatched roofs for diners with views across a vast lake.

Guests can feed the more than a thousand catfish in the lake and the favour can be reciprocated

EXCLUSIVE A private dining area at Coco Lounge

with some of the lake’s best specimens selected for a tank in the restaurant for the ‘point and kill’ fresh catfish on the menu. The delicate flesh of the fresh fish is grilled in foil with a spice rub or served in a pepper soup. It’s a favourite here, but you’ll also find a huge variety of Ghanaian dishes as well as international favourites such as pizzas and curries.

Baobab House CAPE COAST Contact: Call +233 540 436 130 or visit baobab-children-foundation.de This cute café and guesthouse is located in the heart of the town, between the castle and

This new edition to Tamale’s emerging restaurant scene offers plenty of dining options. The venue on Jesonayile Junction to the north of the city has its sheltered courtyard, its exclusive VIP lounge or – surely best of all – its rooftop lounge where you can sink into the sumptuous sofas and enjoy fantastic views across the city. The food lives up to the location with brunch buffets at the weekend packed with Northern Ghana favourites such as ayoyo and bito soup as well as international dishes and freshly made cakes, pastries and tarts to enjoy. The emphasis is on fresh, locally sourced ingredients with comfort classics such as grilled tilapia with yam chips – ideal for soaking up the weekend’s excesses.

FLYafrica 35

ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, HO!

Volta Region With its new airport soon to open to commercial traffic, Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, is set to welcome more visitors than ever to this extraordinarily beautiful yet under-appreciated part of the country. You’ll find Ghana’s highest mountains and waterfalls, most pristine beaches and wildest off-the-grid adventures among the region’s shard of land framed by Lake Volta to the west and Togo to the east. Let FLYafrica introduce you to your next Ghanaian adventure.

Delali92 / Shutterstock.com

Rtevels | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-3.0

Call in on the capital…

36

Ho is a great place to start your Volta adventure. It’s close enough to the region’s circuit of natural attractions while providing enough interest of its own to warrant a day or two while you get your bearings. Get a feel for life in the regional capital at its huge open market, which attracts visitors and stall-owners even from over the border in Togo. It’s also worth dropping by the Volta Regional Museum. Once the office of the Regional House of Chiefs, it has for the past half-century showcased paintings, woodcraft, pottery, chiefs’ stools, masks and swords from the area.

Visitors who come to Ho in late September and early October, will find the city and its surrounds celebrating the season’s harvest at the annual Asogli Yam Festival, which involves traditional music, dance, story-telling and a grand durbar – a mass gathering of tribal chiefs – as its finale.

Wildlife adventures…

Just half an hour’s drive south from Ho will get you to the Kalapka Resource Reserve, a protected area in the foothills of the Togo Mountains. Guided safaris will reveal large mammals such as buffaloes, antelopes and baboons as well as diverse bird and butterfly life.

Bird lovers may want to continue south to the coast where the eye-rubbingly beautiful town of Keta occupies a picturesque, yet fragile strip of land between the Atlantic Ghana’s largest lagoon, which is a crucial breeding ground for marine birds. There are options to explore by boat or take in the abundant birdlife from an observation platform on the shore.

North of the capital, wildlife lovers can visit Tafi Atome, which has a sanctuary to protect the moma monkeys that live in forest abutting the small village. If you’re there in early February, the village holds a fetish festival for the sacred monkeys.

The roof of Ghana…

There is more wildlife protection at the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary, which was set up to safeguard a colony of fruit bats that nest in cliffs next to Wli Falls.

You’ll hear their tell-tale chirps on a guided walk to the falls and, if you’re lucky enough to be there as dusk approaches, see tens of thousands of them take flight on their crepuscular hunt for food.

The sanctuary’s forests area also a haven for butterflies with more than 400 species recorded.

Kyabobo National Park is one of the region’s most remote, but rewarding attractions, this tract of closed-canopy forest is Ghana’s newest national park and offers options for guided hikes, biking excursions or camping.

Resident mammals include red hogs, buffalo and four species of monkey – while elephants are known to wander in from the adjoining Fazao-Malfacassa National Park in Togo.

Ghana is not known for its mountains, but it does have them and all the tallest examples are to be found in the Volta Region, which is dissected by the ridges and hills of the Akwapim-Togo Ranges.

Carpeted in lush, wildlife-filled forest and coffee and cocoa farms, the range provides wonderful opportunities for hiking and some of the country’s best views. The highest point is Mount Afadjato at 885 metres, while the closest to Ho is Adaklu, one of the tallest freestanding mountains in Ghana at 580m.

Guided hikes to the summit can be organised from the village Adaklu-Helekpe at the mountain’s western base and about 10km from the capital. It’s a demanding 80-minute ascent, but rewarded by incredible views, stretching as far as Lake Volta on a clear day.

FLYafrica 37

Volta Region Its waterfalls are mind-blowing

trail – complete with plenty of log bridge river crossings – through the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary to reach it. Clamber the rocky route to the top – it can get slippery in the rainy season – or just chill in the crystal-clear pools of water that form at its base.

Tagbo Falls, which is surrounded by rainforest and just a short hike from Mount Afadjato, competes in the beauty stakes with water tumbling in stages before a final 60m plunge into a pool below. The force of the nearby Tsatsadu Falls has been harnessed for a micro hydropower plant, bringing electricity to the area.

38

Like the rest of the country, the Volta Region has an enormous number of local festivals happening throughout the year. While September and October are dominated by the Yam Festival that takes over Ho, November brings the Hogbetsotso Festival to Anloga, near Keta, which commemorates the escape of the Ewe people from a despot in what is now Togo. In the same month the Agumatsa Waterfall Festival is a day of dancing, drumming and dressing up in the Wli traditional area to give thanks to the gods for the lifegiving waterfall.

The real home of kente?

There is some disagreement in Ghana as to which of its tribes were the first weavers of kente cloth, the intricately woven and richly coloured fabric that he been synonymous with the country for centuries. Both the Ashanti and the Ewe people of the Volta Region make the claim. The latter camp believes the techniques were first practised in Kpetoe, a small town on the Ho-Aflao road.

Traditional weavers still work there at ancient looms and these kente origins are celebrated at the annual Agbamevo Festival, which usually takes place in August. The small village of Tafi Abuipe is another place to find top quality cloth being made by hand.

James Dalrymple / Shutterstock.com

Ghana is blessed with many beautiful waterfalls and many of the most eye-catching are tucked away in the Volta Region and become the focus of some wonderful guided adventures. The anticipation builds as you first hear the tumbling water before the enchanting waterfall reveals itself to the eyes. Wli Falls is the tallest waterfall in West Africa with an 80-metre plunge at its highest point. You can follow a 45-minute

Find your festival…

Patrick Andoh

‘I respect hackers… without the dark side there wouldn’t be anything for the good guys to defend’

With a pandemic raging, computer viruses may not seem the infection to focus on, but more people working at home means more access points to malware and phishing attacks with our sensitive information and money at risk. Patrick Andoh is an ethical hacker battling these cyber threats. After 10 years of legally breaking into computers to test organisation’s defences, he co-founded Accra-based cyber security company Bits Defense. Here the self-described ‘shadow walker’ talks about what distinguishes him from ‘black hat’ hackers and why he has the job of the future.

Q: I read a quote from you, saying

attacking power grids, financial

“the next generation of terrorist will

institutions, government and even

not use ammunition, but keyboard

healthcare sectors.

and mouse”. Do you think the role

To be able to fight off these attacks

of the ethical hacker will only grow

also requires people who has the

in importance and will hold the key

same mindset and skills as these

to maintaining global security in

threat actors. It is like trying to appre-

the future?

hend a cunning thief, you don’t have

The need for ethical hackers is

to think like a policeman, you need to

very necessary for the maintenance

think like a cunning thief, and this is

of global security. We have hackers

where ethical hackers come in.

FLYafrica 39

They have the same skills and mindset

Q: Were you always into computers and

of these bad hackers, they understand

problem solving as a youngster? What was

the tactics and techniques likely to be

your route into ethical hacking?

employed, hence the ability to provide

Yes. I loved computers when I was

in-depth and solid security for the mainte-

young. I was fascinated about how

nance of global security.

they worked around the data we

The absence of the role of ethical hackers

fed it and the accurate result they

in a nation or the cooperate world will be

provided. My route into ethical

like a nation without an army, in times of war

hacking started when our

outbreak, its citizens can’t fight because they

computer lab teacher told us

don’t have the skill of warfare. This makes the

our computers were infected

growing role of ethical hackers a very impor-

with a virus. It sounded like

tant part of the global economy and the key

an alien concept to me at

to maintain global cyber resiliency.

that time, how a computer can catch a virus. I started

Q: As a ‘shadow walker’ or ethical hacker is

trying to understand how.

your job a constant battle to update your

That where I cam to find out

skills and foil the hackers?

about malware authors and

Hacking requires diverse skills, from

how they can code a piece

programming languages to understanding

of malware to take advantage

computer networks, and how stuff works.

of your system. I started also

For me to break into a database requires

learning how to code to be able to

me to have knowledge of the said database,

have such skill.

to reverse engineer an application requires knowledge of the language the application is

Q: Do you get a thrill at being able

written in. In a nutshell, you can’t hack what

to break through an operating system’s

you don’t understand.

security defences?

This makes my job as an ethical hacker

Yes, it is a thrill, especially when the

a little bit of a battle as I constantly have to

defence was tough. In as much as it fun, it is

update myself with new and latest technolo-

also very challenging. Seeing something you

gy, the ins and out of how it works, where the

think it a flaw and spending about an hour

exploitation

technology has it flaws and how I can take

or more coding an exploit to take advantage,

phase as I have to

advantage of the flaw to break it. This puts

only for it to fail is a headache, especially if

understand every code I run

me at a vantage point to better foil attacks

it ends up causing denial of service, where

so I don’t cause down time for my clients.

for our clients. If your mindset and skills

users are denied access to an application or

cannot keep pace with the latest technology,

server. An ethical hacker will have to think

Q: You are still in your 20s. Most hackers

you will be eliminated.

through and review his exploit to under-

are young, it seems. What advantages does

stand its outcome before firing that code.

that bring?

Q: Ethical hacking can be a lucrative

It is very challenging when it comes to the

Being young puts you into that explora-

career – Apple’s recent bug bounty

tion mindset, where you want to explore

programme offered US$ 1 million in rewards

everything – breaking things, tearing apart

for those able to uncover major vulnerabili-

stuff and making things behave other than

ties in its operating systems – but have you

how they were originally designed to do. For

found a job satisfaction that goes beyond

that you need the mind and time. The young

the money?

have all the time and brains to explore and

My passion as an ethical hacker goes

become good at what they do, unlike the old

beyond the money I am being offered.

who have bills and family responsibility to

To find a flaw in a technology and take

take care of.

advantage of it or to break into an institution (legally) and get access to confidential

Q: What do you think of the hackers who

and critical data is the best feeling ever. The

work for their own gains rather than the

satisfaction emanates from the fact that,

collective good? Do you respect their skills

you have been able to break someone else’s

or do you think they are misusing their

technology and make it do what it was not

talents?

actually designed to do. This satisfaction is beyond money.

40

I respect their skills. Without the dark side of hacking, there won’t be anything

About 80 per cent of my hacking skills are self-taught, setting up my own lab and figuring out multiple ways to break a program…

Could you become an ethical hacker?

These are the qualities and skills Patrick believes are required of a successful shadow walker. for us, the good guys, to defend. Hacking is actually a cat and mouse game – you break, I defend, I defend you, break. It makes both side smarter.

It an area that involves the accumulation of many different fields. To get there requires sleepless nights and deep research. My advice is never to stop questioning curiosity, the more curious you become the more you

Whether at the dark side or the good side,

understand things. Another thing is to get

you make money. The only difference is in

involve in capture the flag platforms, such as

the “misuse of their talents” in this context.

tryhackme.com, hackthebox.com etc. These

Why be part of something evil, when you

platforms sharpen your critical thinking

can be a part of a greater good?

abilities and your skill in breaking through security walls.

Q: How much of your hacking skills is self-taught and how much is as a result of

Q: There has been a spate of cyber attacks

the courses you have to take to become a

targeting people working at home during

certified ethical hacker?

the Covid-linked lockdowns. Do you have

About 80 per cent of my hacking skills are

any advice for people on how to stay cyber

self-taught, setting up my own lab and figur-

secure and not fall prey to hackers’ scams?

ing out multiple ways to break a program

We are in an era where information is the

were all self-taught. The other 20 per cent

new commodity, what you put on social

comes on courses and that is only because

media platform can unmake you. Putting the

I needed them for the certification. I have

food you like, your date of birth, the names

taken OSCP (Offensive Security Certified

of your children or spouse, the school you

Professional) and CEH (Certified Ethical

attended etc are all petty information a

Hacker) courses.

hacker will need to hack you.

These courses help secure a job as they prove mastery of what you can do.

QUALITIES 1. Patience 2. To think outside the box 3. To be detail oriented 4. To love a challenge 5. To never stop learning SKILLS 1. Programming skills 2. Understanding of operating systems 3. Understanding of network infrastructures 4. Security concepts and technologies

Because all this information provided by you can form a combination of your pass-

5. Database skill

word. We must also be careful of the links Q: What advice would you give someone

we click. Two-factor authentication is a must

thinking of pursuing a career in ethical

as it makes life as a hacker more difficult to

hacking?

hack an individual.

6. Web applications skills

FLYafrica

41

STAYafrica

Riverside resort royalty Ghana’s first four-star hotel, The Royal Senchi, has become known as West Africa’s honeymoon destination with its pristine setting on the banks of the Volta making it the perfect place for a romantic break. However, you don’t have to be a newlywed to enjoy the riverside resort’s marriage of state-of-the-art facilities and off-the-grid escape. We take a closer look at this jewel of Akosombo.

Location Along the wide forest-fringed stretch of the Volta River downstream from the town of Atimpoku, the vast grounds of The Royal Senchi meet a bend in the river where it bisects the densely wooded Denkyenyam Island, which the hotel helps protect as a nature reserve. It’s a wondrously picturesque spot and feels like a true escape into Ghana’s lush wild eastern expanses. However, just a 90-minute drive will get you here from Accra’s Kotoka International Airport (the resort even has a heli-pad if you’re really in a hurry to get here). Consequently, the resort is popular weekend escape for city dwellers. Still, the 35 acres The Senchi commands means it never feels crowded.

Facilities such as an outdoor pool, restaurants, spa, golf and tennis may make guests wonder at the

42

point of leaving the complex at all during their stay, but with river cruises on your doorstep and nearby attractions including the Akosombo Dam, Wli Waterfalls, the Agomanya Bead Factory and the Tafi Monkey Sanctuary, it pays to be adventurous.

Style and service The Royal Senchi is well aware its unique selling point is its priceless location and it has shown sensitivity to its environment in the careful landscaping of the resort, which blends in with the surrounding natural beauty. A centuries-old tree in the grounds has had a dining terrace built among its branches with a staircase spiralling around the tree’s trunk to reach it. It’s no wonder the surroundings have provided the stunning backdrop to many newlyweds’ wedding photos and celebrations. The

SPORTY STAY Guests can enjoy a round of golf

main buildings have thatched roofs and timber frames and inside the décor is warm and welcoming. Wood panelling lines the rooms while antique furniture, African prints on the walls and lampshades and the glow of long-drop pendant lights from the ceilings add to the sense of Ghanaian splendour.

The courteous service is also a product of the environment with the hotel endeavouring to recruit at least 70 per cent of its workforce from the local Asuogyaman district, training them to its high standards and sponsoring English-language

Images courtesy of The Royal Senchi

It’s a wonderful location with each room having a close-up view of the river either from a terrace or balcony courses. Staff here are never-lessthan friendly and welcome you on arrival with fruit and drinks and a complimentary champagne breakfast.

Rooms The Royal Senchi’s 84 rooms and suites can be found in two horseshoe-shaped thatched buildings that hug the banks

of the Volta. It’s a wonderful location with each room having a close-up view of the river either from a terrace or balcony.

Inside, the rooms are thoughtfully decorated with Ghanaianinspired furnishings and modern facilities such as digital TV, free wi-fi and air-conditioning. The double rooms have spacious bathrooms with shower and deep-soaking bathtub while the

STYLE Exquisitely decorated rooms

10 suites are perfect for lovedup guests – the hotel is a hugely popular wedding venue – with claw-foot baths in the bedroom and four-poster beds garlanded in rose petals on arrival. The rooms also cater for those concerned with business more than pleasure with writing desks to work at.

FLYafrica 43

Food and drink Dining under The Senchi Restaurant’s high thatched roof supported by pine and eucalyptus beams and illuminated by mushroom lights is a grand experience. The food is similarly impressive with an á la carte menu of international and Ghanaian cuisine, which sources almost exclusively from local produce, supporting the region’s smallholder farmers. Signature dishes include fresh tilapia linecaught in the Volta and grilled to flaky perfection alongside balls of banku. There are plenty more grilled dishes served at the resort’s Dua Club House with its line of outdoor barbecues.

The vibe here is more casual with cushion-strewn carved wooden banquettes for group get-togethers as well as the iconic tree terrace. For true alfresco dining, the hotel will pack a picnic for you to enjoy while you explore

its own nature reserve island on the Volta.

For drinks, The Palm Lounge has a resident mixologist to craft a range of cocktails and mocktails for guests while the pool-side Nsu with its panoramic views is a relaxing spot for a sundowner.

Facilities There is no shortage of activities across the resort’s huge site.

Sporty guests can take advantage of two all-weather tennis courts and a golf driving range and putting green with mountain views. All are available day and night with floodlights to illuminate play. Other active pursuits available include a state-of-the-art gym and an outdoor swimming pool while any aching muscles can be soothed at the pool-side hot tub or sumptuous on-site spa.

The hotel also has its own kayaks and pedaloes that are free for

INVITING The outdoor pool

ATTENTION TO DETAIL Rooms are is thoughtfully prepared and arranged

guests to use to explore the Volta.

Within easy paddling reach is the hotel’s own nature park island, which offer opportunities for bird watching and hiking among its unspoilt forest. For more far-flung adventures on the river, the hotel also has a fleet of motor boats that will take you under the Adomi Bridge and as far upstream at the Akosombo Dam, taking in some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Ghana.

All these attractions provide plenty of added value for the hotel’s business and event guests, who, when they have to get down to some work, can also take advantage of the hotel’s meeting rooms, two fully equipped conference rooms that each can host up to 100 people, and its grand ballroom for even larger events.

Prices Doubles start at US$ 340 with breakfast included. Suites start at US$ 540 bed and breakfast.

To book or for more information, visit theroyalsenchi.com or email: reservations@ theroyalsenchihotel.com

44

AWAroutes

Wa Freetown Sierra Leone

Nigeria

Tamale Ghana Côte d’lvoire Monrovia Kumasi Liberia

Abidjan

Abuja Lagos

Takoradi

Explore West Africa with Africa World Airlines GHANA

Accra

Wa

Abidjan

Kotoka International Airport

Wa Airport

Capital city of Ghana with an estimated population of 2.27 million. Economic and administrative hub for Greater Accra region and home to Ghana’s government administration.

AWA is the first airline to operate commercial flights out of Wa Airport, which serves the city of Wa, the capital of Ghana’s Upper West region with a population of 78,000.

Aéroport Félix Houphouët Boigny

Kumasi Kumasi International Airport Located in Ashanti Region and one of Ghana’s biggest metropolitan areas with a population of 2.07 million.

Tamale Tamale Airport Capital of Ghana’s Northern Region and hub for administrative and commercial activities.

Takoradi Takoradi Airport Port town combined with Sekondi to form Sekondi-Takoradi, capital of the Western Region.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

The economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire is the second largest city in West Africa after Lagos.

Its skyscrapers tower between lagoons and waterways, overlooking the Atlantic.

NIGERIA LIBERIA

Lagos

Monrovia

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Roberts International Airport

Nigeria’s largest city and the most populous in Africa. Major financial centre and home to one of Africa’s biggest ports.

Capital and most populous city of Liberia with more than 1 million inhabitants.

Abuja

SIERRA LEONE

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

Freetown

Capital of Nigeria and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Administrative and political centre of Nigeria.

Capital of Sierra Leone and the country’s economic, financial, cultural and political centre.

Lungi International Airport

Book online

flyAfricaWorld.com FLYafrica 45

TRAVELinformation Before your flight

1.

2.

3 .

4.

5.

Allow enough time to arrive at the airport at least two hours before the flight departure time and no later than 40 minutes before departure.

Unaccompanied minors Children aged five to 12 must travel as an unaccompanied minor (UM) on AWA. Only children mature enough to

If you are a special needs passenger, arrive at the airport in ample time to allow the airport staff to process documents.

travel with limited supervision

Make sure you have the correct identification for check-in, such as a voter’s ID card, National Health Insurance card, driver’s licence or any form of government identification before you travel on AWA’s domestic routes and a valid passport on regional routes. A visa is required for non-ECOWAS passport holders. Without a valid physical government-issued ID you will not be checked in.

receiving a UM at final

are allowed to travel as a UM. Details of parent/guardian destination must be provided by a parent/guardian during reservation.

Proof of age such as a valid passport, birth certificate or National Health Insurance card must be presented at check-in.

Check that your bags are within the correct weight and size limits for your product class (see table below).

AWA ground staff will assist the UM with check-in, transfers and boarding.

Check your seat assignment, which will be given to you at the airport.

Once on board, a flight attendant with observe and/

During your flight

6.

7.

8.

periodically.

Enjoy complimentary hot beverages, served on some routes, as well as fresh fruit juice and snacks including croissants, biscuits and fish/meat pies.

UMs are only allowed to travel on non-stop or same-

The parent/guardian receiv-

Pay close attention to the safety procedures outlined by the cabin crew and take note of your nearest exit.

plane services.

ing the UM should arrive at the gate 30 minutes prior to

AWA does not accept

scheduled arrival and present

responsibility for a UM’s

valid photo ID to an AWA

actions. The parent/guardian

representative. AWA will not

agrees to hold AWA blame-

release a UM to anyone other

less for any injuries to UM

than the designated parent/

caused by or out of UM’s own

guardian.

negligence.

Sit back, relax and enjoy FLYafrica magazine!

AWA reserves the right to

Baggage allowances

46

or communicate with the UM

Checked baggage

Hand luggage

Excess baggage

Should the UM’s flight be

transport UMs on flights that

disrupted or should the guard-

may have been diverted or

ian or parent fail to meet the

cancelled due to weather or

UM on arrival, AWA is author-

operational disruptions.

ized to take necessary and

Domestic Regional 23 kg

30 kg

One piece up to 5 kg and 1 handbag/laptop bag GHS 5/kg

US$ 3/kg

book stating the duration of

to AWA representatives of the

pregnancy at the date of travel.

person’s condition upon ticket purchase.

A new mother is permitted to fly 48 hours after a normal

Pre-boarding to find a suit-

delivery, provided that she has

able seat. Passengers with

a certificate from her obstetri-

disabilities are not permitted to

cian stating she is fit to fly.

sit in the emergency exit rows.

Babies under 14 days old are not permitted to fly.

Receipt of checked-in wheelchair or other assistance device upon disembarking or

Passengers with reduced mobility

at baggage claim.

AWA is not insured, permitted

AWA provides assistance to

or equipped for staff to carry

passengers with special needs

any passenger who is unable to

during the reservation process,

assist himself or herself onboard

check-in, during the flight

an AWA aircraft, even if he or

and at final destination. AWA

she is able to walk but needs a

will ensure provision of the

trained and accredited bearer.

following: AWA is not equipped to Transport of passengers

reasonable action under the

agrees to reimburse AWA for

Pregnant women Expectant mothers are permitted to fly until the 28th medical certificate.

From the 28th to the

seated on the lap of an adult

34th week of pregnancy, an

over 15 years of age. However,

expectant mother is required

a passenger may choose to

to provide a medical certifi-

purchase a seat for the infant

cate from her obstetrician

as long as there is a proper

stating that the pregnancy is

child restraint device.

progressing without complications and stating the expected

Only one child is permitted

delivery date.

to sit on an adult’s lap. An additional seat must be purchased

or contained gas either in the

safety-related regulation that

passenger cabin or as cargo/

requires us not to do so.

baggage.

AWA is not equipped to

chairs or other assistance

transport passengers who

devices for personal use at

require stretchers, incubators,

no charge, in addition to

respirators or other devices

enplaning and deplaning.

that may rely on aircraft power

Attention should be brought

supply.

week of pregnancy without a

AWA requires all children under two years old to be

other hazardous materials and/

unless there is a specific

Transport of wheel-

any expenses incurred.

Infants and toddlers

with disabilities of any kind

and more comfortable flight.

circumstances. In the case of the latter, the parent/guardian

transport medical oxygen or

Expectant mothers more

if one adult is travelling with

than 34 weeks pregnant are

two infants.

not permitted to fly with AWA.

AWA recommends that

For pregnancies less than

a child over 20 kg in weight

28 weeks, passengers should

should use a seat for a safer

possess an ante-natal card/

Fleet information Embraer ERJ-145LR Length:

29.87 m / 98 ft 0 in

Height:

6.76 m / 22 ft 2 in

Wingspan:

20.04 m / 65 ft 9 in

Capacity: Engines:

50 passengers Rolls Royce AE 3007-A1 Turbofans

Range: Maximum speed:

2,870 km Mach 0.78

Number of aircraft: 8 FLYafrica 47

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Email Contacts Concerns concerns@flyafricaworld.com Charters charters@flyafricaworld.com Local Offices Accra – Head Office UNA Homes Building 2nd/3rd floor Airport Bypass Road Airport City Road PMB CT67 Accra, Ghana Tel: +233 24 243 8888

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48

Tamale Airport Office Opening hours 06:00 - 17:30 (Monday to Sunday) Town Office Opposite Block “B” School Zogbeli, Tamale Opening hours 08:00 - 17:00 (Monday to Friday) 09:00 - 14:00 (Saturday and holidays) 12:00 - 17:00 (Sunday) Tel: +233 30 297 4919

Wa Airport office Opening hours 08:00 - 17:00 (Monday to Sunday)

Regional Offices Lagos Airport Ticketing Office Room 2030, 2nd Floor (Airline Floor), D Wing Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja, Lagos Tel: +234 1 342 7130/2 Email: sales.lagos@flyafricaworld.com

Opening hours 05:45 - 16:00 (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) 08:00 - 18:00 (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) 05:45 - 18:00 (Friday)

Abuja Airport Office Public Concourse, Terminal C Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Tel: +234 90 9558 0924

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Abidjan AJ Aviation Imm. Trade Center, AV. Nogues Plateau, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Tel: +225 75 777777

+225 44807047

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Monrovia Airport Office Roberts International Airport, Lower Margibi County, Monrovia, Liberia Tel: +231 886 691 623

+231 881 108 682/666 Opening hours: 08.00-17.00 (Monday to Sunday) Town Office 1st Floor, Kabah Building Benson/Mechlin Street Tel: +231 77 044 4400/4433

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Freetown Airport Office Lungi International Airport Tel: +232 79 630 107 Opening hours 08:00 - 17:00 (Monday to Sunday) Town Office 21/23 Siaka Stevens Street Tel: +232 79 630 103;

+232 88 852 773 Opening hours: 08.30-17.00 (Monday to Friday) 09:00 - 13:00 (Sat)

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