FLYafrica Magazine, Issue 4

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

Touching Africa, Touching The World!

FLYafrica ISSUE 4

MAY-JULY 2019

PAGE 42

CASH FOR TRASH IN LAGOS PAGE 22

GHANA’S FASHION BLOGGERS

CHRISTIAN ATSU TALKS GOALS ON AND OFF THE PITCH

COMPETITION

WIN

A HANDCRAFTED FOOD PLATTER

Contents

PAGE 42

CASH-FOR-TRASH Winning in Lagos

Image: Nyancho Nwanri / Arete

Regulars

Features

3 Foreword

10 Christian Atsu

6 AWAworld

13 Hainan-AWA Foundation

Africa World Airlines Head Office - SSNIT Emporium Ground Floor, Airport City Liberation Road PMB CT67 Cantonment Accra, Ghana Tel: +233 24 243 8888 Toll Free: 0800 200 200 Email: awaoffice@flyafricaworld.com www.flyAfricaWorld.com FLYafrica Magazine is published for Africa World Airlines by: Land & Marine Publications Ltd 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park Colchester, Essex CO4 9RA United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: publishing@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com ADVERTISING: Matthew Jay, Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Cell: +44 (0)7714 448057 (WhatsApp) Email: flyafrica@landmarine.org 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. ©2019 Land & Marine Publications Ltd Cover image: John Janssen www.janssenfotografie.com

Making Ghana proud

7 EVENTScalendar

8 STARdestination

FLYafrica competition

What to see and do in the US capital

22 Fashion bloggers

25 INSIDER information

Sharing style tips with Ghana’s best

28 Oyinkan Braithwaite

26 STAYafrica

Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire

Writing talent’s deadly debut

30 Film: On The Run Following marathon runners in Freetown

32 AWApilots

Ghana-based home-decor design company

19 Washington DC

18 WINafrica

Spreading smiles across AWA network

16 Studio Badge

Lagos

Football star giving back to Ghana

Meet Cecilia Ade-Cole

34 TECHcorner

40 Time out in Takoradi 42 Cash-for-trash

Air travel gadgets

Scheme for a cleaner Lagos

36 DRIVEafrica VW T-Cross

AWA Information

38 INVESTMENT market review

Fixed income securities

Subscribe to FLYafrica

Email: subscribe@landmarine.org

Book online

4 AWAnews 45 AWAroutes 46 TRAVELinformation 48 AWAcontacts

flyAfricaWorld.com FLYafrica

1

Foreword

Welcome

MAKING GHANA PROUD Dear passengers,

On behalf of Africa World Airlines, I would like to welcome you to the fourth edition of FLYafrica, our inflight magazine. As usual it’s packed with exciting things to see and do across the AWA network as well as features on a host of West African stars.

Among them is professional footballer Christian Atsu as our cover star. The winger, a key member of Ghana’s national team and English Premiership club Newcastle United, is a talented player and a proud Ghanaian. All here at AWA wish Christian and the rest of the Black Stars – as well as our West African friends, the Super Eagles of Nigeria – well at the Africa Cup of Nations in June.

We’re also very proud of recent developments at AWA that show the airline, in its seventh year of operations, is becoming a major player in the aviation industry. The recent Memorandum of Understanding between AWA and South African Airways greatly expands our network (see Pages 19-21 for a feature on Washington DC, in the US, just one of the destinations AWA passengers can now seamlessly connect to as a result of the agreement).

AWA has also finalised a prestigious agreement with Emirates, which opens up our West African destinations to the global network of the world’s largest international airline, with passengers flying in to Accra from Dubai, China, India and Australia.

February saw the arrival of the airline’s eighth Embraer ERJ-145LI, called ‘Romeo’, and the addition of four extra daily domestic flights between Accra and Kumasi. These flights are among those available at huge discounts in our WOW Wednesday offers. Keep an eye on AWA’s social media sites for when to claim the bargain tickets.

The work AWA does through its charitable arm, the Hainan-AWA Foundation, is also a source of pride and inside you’ll find details about the worthy causes the foundation has been able to help.

COVER STAR Christian Atsu

Connect with AWA Facebook

www.facebook.com/ flyafricaworld

Twitter

@flyafricaworld John Quan Chief Executive Officer Africa World Airlines

Book online

Instagram

@flyafricaworld

flyAfricaWorld.com FLYafrica

3

AWAnews Emirates agreement links West Africa to world AWA and Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, have announced a one-way interline agreement which will open up new West African destinations to Emirates customers arriving in Accra from popular inbound markets such as Dubai, China, India and Australia.

The agreement begins in May and enables Emirates passengers touching down in Accra on the airline’s market leading Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to transfer seamlessly to connecting flights to Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana as well as regional destinations Monrovia in Liberia and Freetown in Sierra Leone.

with up to ten flights daily to Kumasi, five flights daily each to Tamale, four to Takoradi and six weekly flights to Monrovia and Freetown.

‘Romeo’ joins the AWA fleet

Sean Mendis, Chief Operations Officer for Africa World Airlines, said: “Africa World Airlines is proud to partner with Emirates in order to connect passengers through our hub at the new Terminal 3 in Accra. Customers will enjoy seamless connections at the premier gateway to the West African region as a result of this new agreement.”

Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

Answer: right here in Ghana after a 9,000 mile journey. AWA’s latest addition to its fleet, an Embraer ERJ-145LR aircraft called ‘Romeo’, arrived at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport in February after an epic journey that began in Tianjin, China.

AWA’s Facebook followers were able to follow the jet’s progress with posts marking its touchdowns at Chiang Mai Airport (Thailand), Doha (Qatar), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Khartoum (Sudan) and N’Djamena (Chad) on the threeday, 9,000-mile journey to Accra.

From June 2 even more Emirates passengers will be able to take advantage of the agreement with the airline increasing its number of flights into Accra from seven to 11 every week.

The agreement with AWA will further extend Emirates’ connectivity from Accra

Up to 10 flights daily between Accra and Kumasi AWA now offers additional flight options between Accra and Kumasi on weekday mornings. Passengers can now choose from up to 10 daily round trip flights between Accra and Kumasi.

The new flights depart from Accra’s Kotoka International Airport at 6.15 am and 7am and from Kumasi International Airport at 7.25 am and 8.10 am.

AWA also now offers five return flights between Accra and Tamale on Fridays and Sundays. Business travellers or tourists can explore the spectacular Northern Region with flights departing Accra at 6.30 am, 9.30 am, 12.30 pm, 2.50 pm and 4 pm and from Tamale at 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 4.20 pm and 5.30 pm.

To book tickets, visit flyAfricaWorld.com

Ensuring each stage of the journey was smooth and safe were Captain Ken Bruce-Tagoe, Captain Achilles Dumashie and Senior First Officer Quentin Quaye in the cockpit along with engineer Godfrey Tetteh-Cofie and dispatchers Courage Badohu and Guoliang ‘Charlie’ Li. The arrival of ‘Romeo’ brings AWA’s fleet of Embraer jets to eight and it will immediately go to work servicing the airline’s network of Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone.

HOW TO BOOK Passengers can book flights online by visiting flyAfricaWorld.com and using the ‘Book A Flight’ function. You can then choose your flight, book your seats and select your payment method. AWA offers various methods of payment for customers in Ghana and Nigeria including debit/credit card, MTN Mobile Service (Ghana only), Quickteller (Nigeria only) and bank transfer. For detailed information, check out our website.

Book online 4

flyAfricaWorld.com

Telephone bookings can be made by calling +233 24 243 8888 or our

Toll free number:

0800 200 200

AWAworld

A round-up of West Africa news and events

Pavilion brings Lagos to London British-Nigerian designer Yinka Ilori is bringing the vibrancy of Lagos to London with his competition-winning pavilion design for Dulwich Picture Gallery. Ilori’s ‘The Colour Palace’ was chosen above entries from 150 other up-and-coming artists in a design competition co-hosted by the gallery and the London Festival of Architecture.

The work – a rainbow-coloured castle created by overlapping layers of wooden boards, which have then been painted with alternating geometric patterns on each face – will be put up in the grounds of the gallery. It will become a stage for a series of talks, performances and yoga classes during the festival, which runs throughout June.

Ilori says his design was inspired by the colourful Dutch wax prints found in the markets of Lagos and reflects London’s rich multicultural fabric, including the neighbouring district of Peckham, which is known as ‘Little Lagos’ because of its large Nigerian population. For more information, visit dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Championing chess “In the game of chess, a pawn can grow up to become a queen. You can grow up to be great even though you are still limited by this community,” says Nigerian professional chess player and coach Babatunde Onakoya.

He is well placed to see the transformative qualities of the game.

He was brought up in the slums of Lagos, but now he returns to help with the work of the charity Chess In Schools by using the game to educate children from underprivileged backgrounds. With his young students, Babatunde uses the tactics of the game to break down educational subjects such as maths, while also encouraging the idea of patience, strategy and even hope. Since the start of the initiative many of the children have voiced how it has improved their lives and three of the most promising young players have been awarded scholarships to pursue their education. For more information, visit chessinschools.co.uk/chess-in-africa On the other side of the world, another young Nigerian has been showing his chess skills. Eight-year-old Tanitoluwa

Emefa Jewellery When some of the most beautiful people in Ghana are looking for jewellery that makes them look even more stunning, it’s Emefa Jewellery that gets the call. Almost all beauty pageants in Ghana, including Miss Ghana, Miss Lux, Miss Tourism and Ghana’s Most Beautiful, feature crowns made by owner David Apim-Tetteh, a professional jeweller with over 30 years’ experience, and his team. The company, which has two shops in Accra and also sells its hand-made jewellery online, makes unique African rings, earrings, anklets, bracelets, bangles and beads. For more information, visit emefajewellery.com 6

APRIL

EVENTScalendar

19

Dipri Festival (Abidjan) There’s a chance to catch one of West Africa’s more unusual celebrations this month. The Dipri Festival takes place among the Abidji tribe in Gomon, just outside Abidjan, and its aim is to drive away evil spirits and purify the celebrants. Activities start in the evening with relatives and neighbours getting together to reconcile their differences and have a party. The chief of the tribe makes his appearance before sunrise and then there’s music – usually pounding drums – and people go into frenzied dances as they are possessed by

MAY

beneficial spirits. Quite a sight.

Adewumi, who has been living in a homeless shelter in New York since arriving with his family from Nigeria in 2017, has just been crowned New York State Primary Chess Champion in the kindergarten-to-third-grade bracket at the New York State Scholastic Championships. He outsmarted youngsters from top private schools with expensive chess tutors despite having taken up the game only a year previously. This is Tanitoluwa’s seventh chess trophy – he has now considered one of the top players in the United States for his age group – and he has already voiced hopes of becoming the youngest ever grandmaster.

Homowo (Accra) Ghana’s bustling capital is rarely described as quiet, but in the 30 days leading up to 14 May, when the Homowo Festival takes place, there’s a ban on drumming and noise-making on the streets of Accra. The noise returns once the festival gets going as it involves the ‘hooting at hunger’ as the Ga people commemorate a time in their history when a bumper harvest signalled recovery after years of drought and famine. Ga chiefs sprinkle kpokpoi or kpekple – a special dish prepared in the streets, made from cornmeal and palm oil – and there is folk singing, libation pouring and litanies said to the gods for another year of bountiful produce. Also included is Twins’ Day, when twins in the city dress in white calico and parade around. It’s one of the grandest festivals in Ghana.

Lagos Bridal Fashion Week

JULY

From 4 to 6 May the Federal Palace Hotel’s Balmoral Hall becomes the ultimate destination for bridal fashion. The event runs each day from 10 am until 10 pm. Visitors will find a host of interactive displays from a selection of the best wedding suppliers and bridal designers Africa has to offer. There will also be a series of runway shows with male and female models dressed in designers’ latest collections. If your big day is coming up, this event cannot be missed.

Republic Day (Ghana) Three years after becoming the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence, Ghana was proclaimed a republic with its own elected president. The inaugural president, Kwame Nkrumah, announced the country’s new status on 1 July 1960. The date is now celebrated annually as Republic Day. The day’s celebrations now also encompass Senior Citizens’ Day, on which the efforts and contributions to society of the elderly are recognised. A good day to visit the relatives.

FLYafrica

7

STAR DESTINATION

Lagos

8

Carlos Fernández San Millán | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-2.0

AWA is the largest international airline operator in Nigeria, with its flight schedule including five flights from Accra to Lagos every Thursday, Friday and Sunday. To celebrate this special relationship, we turn the spotlight on Nigeria’s capital and now officially Africa’s biggest city, with a population of over 21 million. The clamour of car horns in perma-jammed traffic is one result of such a spiralling population, but so, too, are an exploding arts and music scene, ambitious building developments and an active and diverse community. Lagos fizzes with life and energy – and to enjoy it you just have to jump in.

Agbaje Isabella | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-4.0

CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS Lagos

TRAVEL: AWA has five flights

legend Fela Kuti and in October

the bridge located in the

from Accra to Lagos every

hosts Felabration, one of the

restaurant. Visit terrakulture.

Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

biggest music festivals in Nigeria.

com

Flights depart from Kotoka

If you’re not here then, the venue

International Airport at 8.20 am,

still holds club nights every

11.10 am, 1.40 pm and 4.40 pm

Friday and Sunday. It was at

pm and 8.10 pm. To book your

one of these nights in 2017 that

ticket, visit flyAfricaWorld.com

saxophonist Femi Kuti, son of

SEE: Freedom Park This former colonial prison ground in downtown Lagos Island has been transformed into the city’s hub of arts and culture.

It now houses a food court, a gallery and a museum and is a great place for live music and dance performances. Annual events to look out for at Freedom Park include the Eko Theatre Carnival, the Black History Month commemorations, the Lagos Reggae Festival and the Adire Heritage Festival.

Owambe party If you really want to immerse yourself in the vibrant life of Lagos, get yourself invited to an Owambe party. You may well just walk into one taking over a street on a Saturday night and, if you match the glam dress code, you’ll be welcomed to join in the festivities. These grand affairs are usually planned months in advance for weddings, anniversaries and birthdays and

Fela and manager of the venue with his brother Yeni, broke the record for the longest note on a wind instrument – 51 minutes and 35 seconds.

Hit the beaches Lagos is home to beaches fringed by palm trees with powdery white sand and some serious waves. They present an easily reachable opportunity to escape the bustle of the city.

The man-made Tarkwa Beach is sheltered by a harbour so it offers safe, undertow-free swimming and also has a wide selection of shops selling food and local handicrafts. Eleko

Ikoyi Hotel Suya Suya is the king of street food for Lagosians. The blazingly spiced skewers of meat – anything from beef and goat to chicken, liver and kidney – are incredibly popular. The best in the city – though the quality comes at a price – is to be found in Glover Court, off Glover Road, in Ikoyi.

The Jazzhole If there weren’t already enough reasons to visit this renowned bookshop, music store and live performance venue in Awolowo Road, in Ikoyi, it also has a lovely café. It offers nearly 40 varieties of tea in individual tin teapots and complements them with freshly made sandwiches and cakes.

SLEEP: Bogobiri House

Beach, a 45-minute taxi ride from

This funky boutique hotel, in

downtown Lagos, is popular with

Ikoyi, has 16 rooms individually

local people, especially at the

decorated by local artists. It

weekends when it’s packed with

also draws in some of the city’s

barbecue parties and vendors

best musicians for regular live

selling fresh fruit, vegetables,

performances and its restaurant

fish, prawns and handicrafts.

is a sought-after dining spot

EAT: Terra Kulture The food court at Terra Kulture,

for on-trend Lagosians. Visit bogobiri.com

on Victoria Island, celebrates

The Wheatbaker

the best of Nigerian cuisine,

For a taste of the elite Lagos

offering a wide choice of locally

lifestyle, grab a night or two at

grown traditional dishes such

this luxurious establishment in

as ofada rice, catfish and boiled

the residential heart of Ikoyi. Its

yam or plantain. When visitors

secluded grounds and gorgeous

The New Afrika Shrine is the

have finished dining, they can

pool create a haven of relaxation

most electric live music spot

view the art on display from

and guests can also make use of

in Lagos. The open-air venue

new and emerging Nigerian

the hotel’s spa, two restaurants

in the mainland suburb of Ikeja

artists in the adjoining gallery

and gym. For more, visit

was built in tribute to Afro beat

space by travelling across

thewheatbakerlagos.com

involve a lot of food, dancing, loud music and spraying (the act of throwing money on a dancing person).

DO: New Afrika Shrine

LAGOS CULTURE Femi Kuti (second from left)

FLYafrica

9

‘I don’t want any child to suffer like I did’

W

hen Arms Around the Child, a charity based in Ghana, India and

South Africa, chose professional footballer Christian Atsu as one of its key ambassadors, it was because his renown as a player for the Ghana international team and English Premiership side Newcastle United gave worldwide prominence to its work of providing homes, protection, education and support for orphans and other vulnerable children. But for the 27-year-old winger

Along with the rest of the country, AWA will be cheering on the Ghana national football team when the Africa Cup of Nations begins on 21 June.

The Black Stars’ talismanic winger, Christian Atsu, speaks to Mark Edwards about why he believes 2019 could be the team’s year and the culture of kindness in his home country that he is doing much to continue.

Image: John Janssen www.janssenfotografie.com

with the nimble feet and blazing speed there are deep, personal reasons why the role means so much to him.

Atsu was 13 years old and had just starting his football journey when his father died. The talented young player was boarding at Feyenoord African Academy, in Accra, more than 100 km away from the family home in Ada Foah when he heard the news. The emotion is still evident in his voice as he tells me about the events at home in Newcastle hours after a training session in preparation for the weekend’s game with fellow mid-table club Crystal Palace.

“I had a very difficult time dealing with it,” he says. “My father died because our family didn’t have the

SHARING HIS SKILLS Atsu heads a football training session Image: Arms Around The Child

10

DEDICATED Atsu has helped improve the lives of many orphans in Ghana Image: Arms Around The Child

money to take him to hospital. It still

farming at the junction of the

affects me and now I feel that no

Volta River and the Atlantic

child should suffer. That is why my

Ocean to support their 10 chil-

work with Arms Around the Child

dren. From the age of seven,

is so important to me. I feel happy

Atsu would go to fish with his

when I help these kids. I’ve been with

father and help his mother sell

the charity a long time and it’s doing

kenkey at the local market. It

a great job.”

was, Atsu admits, “a difficult

The charity’s work has included supporting the lives of more than 50 orphans in Senya Beraku, a village

life, but we tried to be happy and have fun”.

Football was definitely part

around a 90-minute drive along the

of the fun. Atsu would play

coast from Accra.

on pitches with more rocks

Giving back to Ghana

than grass or pick-up games of street football with friends.

“We are just trying to help these

During one of these kicka-

kids get a better education and

bouts, Atsu’s skills caught

have clean water and food,” he says.

the eye of the U-12s coach

“Little by little we are getting things

at Feyenoord Academy and he was

done. The children deserve educa-

invited to train with the team.

tion and respect.”

Atsu is a humble man, despite his

I feel happy when I help these kids. I’ve been with the charity a long time and it’s doing a great job make a career for himself.

The boots played their part. Atsu

The academy training sessions

felt special wearing them and played

drew crowds of local people keen

well in the tournament. It secured

achievements as a footballer and

to support young talent and watch

his future at Feyenoord Academy,

a philanthropist. When talk about

quality football. The way Atsu tells it,

where trained and studied until the

his footballing influences brings up

their support would often take the

age of 17, and has seen him go on to

former Ghana national team captain

form of handing over cash to players

reach the top flight of the UK club

Abedi Pele, Atsu rhapsodises about

who performed well after, or even

game and become an integral part

the older man’s dribbling skills. I

during, the game. “This is normal in

of the national team.

suggest these are qualities Atsu

Ghana when they see a good player,”

shares with his hero, but he immedi-

he says.

ately deflects the compliment with

Premiership player

Still, the 12-year-old Atsu was

His club career has taken an, at

“most Africans are confident on

shocked when, after one match,

times, circuitous route. He was

the ball”.

before he was due to play in a

at FC Porto in Portugal for two

Similarly, though Atsu’s dedication

trial tournament organised by the

years before he signed for Chelsea;

to his chosen charity’s cause is admi-

academy, a total stranger handed

however, he never played a minute

rable – he returns to the orphanage

him a new pair of football boots as

for the London side, instead

each football off-season bringing

he came off the field.

seeing himself loaned out to a

gifts such as Newcastle kit, boots

Atsu has never forgotten the

series of clubs, including Everton,

and sweets for the youngsters and

gesture. He has kept in touch with his

has been instrumental in securing

U-12 coach throughout his football

funding for the building of a nearby

career and has since found out the

school for 300 pupils – he says such

benefactor’s name is Joshua and he

efforts to help others do not single

is a mechanic from Achimota. Atsu

one of English football’s most vocif-

him out as special, but rather are

plans to meet him this June.

erously supported teams, back into

Joshua has made it clear he

and indeed across Africa, that one

doesn’t want anything in return for

should always help others.

his gift, but one gets the sense that

When he was a boy, Atsu was on

Atsu has already repaid him with

the receiving end of such altru-

exactly what he was hoping for –

ism. His parents didn’t have a lot of

that the young player would go on

money, eking out a living fishing and

to make the most of his talent and

Image: Arms Around The Child

part of a belief among Ghanaians,

CHARITY AMBASSADOR Working for Arms Around the Child

Bournemouth, Málaga (Spain) and Newcastle United. During his time with the last of these, Atsu was instrumental in getting the Magpies,

the Premiership.

In 2017 Atsu and Newcastle United agreed a four-year deal, said to be worth £6.2 million, and two seasons in it seems to be working out for both of them, with Newcastle establishing themselves in the Premiership

FLYafrica

11

INSPIRATION Atsu with pupils in Senya Beraku

better. We have put that behind us.

We know the fans are really interested and want the best for the country.

That pressure is going to push us to win, I believe.”

Atsu loves to represent his country and putting on the Black Stars shirt seems to bring the best out of him, with nine goals in his 42 Image: Arms Around The Child

caps. International duty is a chance to meet up with teammates usually scattered around the world with their club sides and play football the Ghanaian way – with a strong sense of fun and pride.

Playing with joy “Being in the national team is a great

and Atsu impressing with his speed

Black Stars, hoping to win the Africa

honour,” he says. “I am always happy

and cultured left foot.

Cup of Nations.

to meet my friends in the team. We

“I’m very happy here,” says Atsu.

It’s a competition with good

try to learn from one another. We

“I’ve been given a lot of chances

memories for Atsu. He first made

have a great team spirit. There are a

to show myself and I’m very happy

his name on the international stage

lot of jokes – especially from [experi-

with the staff, the players, coaches

in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations

enced defender] John Boye. There is

and fans.”

held in Equatorial Guinea. The Black

so much joy and unity in the team.”

A nation expects

Stars winger was named player of

The atmosphere around Ghana’s

the tournament and also achieved

Africa Cup of Nations games is

He’s even starting to get used to the

goal of the tournament for an auda-

bound to be electric. Atsu talks

weather. The chilly north-east coast

cious shot, swung in with his left

warmly of the celebratory, party

is a world away from the palm-lined

foot from way out on the right wing,

atmosphere that international

beaches and sultry heat of Ada

that secured the team’s quarter-final

games create.

Foah, but Atsu is finding it’s a good

victory against Guinea.

place for a jog, although the chances

“There will always be people

Still Ghana were beaten in the final

dancing and singing around the

of him taking a dip in the North Sea

that year and bowed out in the semis

game,” he says. “It brings back

are always going to be slim.

in 2017. In fact, you have to go back

memories of my childhood playing

39 years for the last time the Black

football in Ghana. First we would

“The first time I was here I really struggled with the weather,” he

Stars held the trophy. Atsu says he

says. “It was very cold. But now

and his teammates are aware of the

I’m getting used to it. I’ve taken my

country’s expectations and, having

family to the beach and I go there to

finished top of their qualifying group,

run on the sand.”

believe they’re in the

along with kindness to others are

kind of form to go all

Ghanaian qualities entrenched

the way this year.

within Atsu and both will keep him

He says: “The

coming back to his home country

He has set up home in Newcastle with his wife, Marie-Claire, a make-up artist from Hamburg, and their two

COMING TO CAIRO Atsu is set for the Africa Cup of Nations

play football. It’s all part of the culture here.”

This celebration of football

children. Both youngsters compete

players are really

no matter where his stellar football

with me for Atsu’s attention during

determined. And

career should take him.

our phone conversation.

we want to end this wait for victory in

If you would like to help Christian

a busy few months coming up and

the tournament. We

complete the school build, please

want to get as much time with him

have had chances

visit the Arms Around the Child

as they can. As well as ensuring

in the past and we

website armsaroundthechild.

Newcastle retain their Premiership

blame ourselves. It

charitycheckout.co.uk/donate

status through the season’s remain-

was difficult to lose in

ing games, Atsu will be going to

the semi-finals in 2017

Cairo in June with the rest of the

– the fans deserved

Perhaps they know their dad has

Image: John Janssen www.janssenfotografie.com

12

sing and dance and then we would

Foundation spreading smiles across AWA network The work of Africa World Airlines’ charitable wing, the Hainan-AWA Foundation, is committed to making life better for the underprivileged

S

ince Africa World Airlines began in

to the Hainan-AWA Foundation, you help

2012 it has embedded social impact

put a smile on someone’s face somewhere

into its company ethos. The airline

in Ghana and soon, to all the regions AWA

was given GHS 10,000 to support its

set up its benevolent wing, the Hainan-

flies through, the provision of education,

work with diabetic patients, Asogliu State

AWA Foundation, to provide humanitarian

food, health and even housing. By provid-

received GHS 5,000 to support its educa-

aid and services for the less privileged

ing these basic needs, the foundation aims

tional fund and the surgical ward of the 37

in society, regardless of geographical,

to help eradicate child poverty from the

Military Hospital in Accra received equip-

political or religious boundaries, and to

communities Africa World Airlines flies to.”

ment, including protective garments, face

The foundation has shown its commit-

masks, surgical gloves, surgical gowns and

help them maintain and improve their livelihood.

The focus throughout has been on children – as they represent the future of the West African community the airline works

Orphanage in Abossey Okai.

In addition, the Tamale Teaching Hospital

ment to the cause during its years of opera-

theatre caps, to improve health care and

tion. Every year has seen donations that

reduce the risk to health care providers.

change the lives of the needy and sick.

The Hainan-AWA Foundation appeals to all of us to put a smile on someone’s

within. In the past seven years the founda-

Projects supported

tion has supported various worthwhile

In September 2013 the foundation marked

projects to help those who need it most.

AWA’s first anniversary by donating to

In 2019 the goal is to support education

the Frafraha Children’s Home in Accra.

Make a donation

across the AWA network.

This was followed in subsequent years by

During your AWA flight, cabin crew

support for Osu Children’s Home and the

will be walking down the aircraft with a

says: “The foundation aims to improve the

University of Ghana’s sports department

collection envelope for contributions to

quality of life for children. When you donate

in Accra as well as the Centre of Hope

the Hainan-AWA Foundation.

AWA’s head of quality, Benedictus Seshie,

SUPPORT Donating to the Osu Children’s Home

DONATION Backing for the University of Ghana sports department

face, irrespective of race, religion, colour, sex or creed.

CHEQUE A donation to the 37 Military Hospital surgical ward

FLYafrica

13

The

platters that matter Studio Badge’s range of super-stylish handcrafted food platters, bowls and vases provides a showcase for the design talent and rich timber resources of Ghana. Does your food deserve them?

J

ust as the effect of every great

neem and mansonia because they

painting can be heightened

have extremely beautiful grains,

by the right frame, so in

are excellent hardwoods and are

this Instagram age, when food

food-safe. The colours, patterns

has to look as good as it tastes to

and other characteristics that we

earn photo-sharing cachet, plat-

get from these woods are really

ters matter as a base to culinary

one of a kind. We are always

creations.

looking for more species to add to

This was clearly at the forefront of

As well as drawing on Ghana’s

pal of Studio Badge, when designing

rich timber resources, Studio Badge

the Ghanaian home-decor design

produces a range of platters made

company’s range of sleek and unique

from a far more unexpected material

wooden and concrete platters.

– concrete. One of Studio Badge’s

relatable, loveable and, of course,

best-selling products is the Mini

beautiful.”

“I love to cook and to present food

PERSONAL TOUCH The platters can be inscribed

by adding colour and putting it in a form that brings it into a home in a very intimate way, it becomes

beautifully, so this was definitely at

Aitch concrete platter, made from a

the very top of my mind when I was

combination of Ghanaian teak and

Versatility and beauty

designing the platters,” says Leonie.

concrete.

The concrete food platters are

“I chose wood species that had more

“Concrete is definitely not a typical

subtle grains so they complemented

home goods material and that’s

rather than competed with the food

exactly why I chose it,” says Leonie. “I

served on them. The colours that we

love that it’s considered a hard-core

pick for the platters are also meant

building material and I love that,

to play nice with food, so there is a

finished with a VOC-free sealant that makes them completely safe to eat TALENTED TEAM Leonie Badger, centre, working on designs

directly from. A finish of mineral oil, beeswax and carnauba has the same effect on the wooden platters.

The combination of versatility

lot of careful consideration that goes

and beauty that concrete brings

into the design.”

is a key part of the Studio Badge

The wood for these platters is

aesthetic, says Leonie. “The idea of

all kiln-dried and grown in Ghana.

a dusty pink or soft blue concrete

Leonie says Ghana has the best

food-serving platter just struck me

wood in the world and it plays a

as audacious, bold and fun and that

big role in the singularity of Studio

is exactly what I am trying to achieve

Badge’s products.

with Studio Badge products. The

“Ghana has incredibly beautiful

juxtaposition of a hard material in

wood. We are a major exporter

soft colours and in the heart of a

of timber and there are furniture

home continues to inspire me.”

producers all over the world that

16

our material list.”

the thinking of Leonie Badger, princi-

Leonie’s “love affair” with concrete

rely on our wood to make premium

first flowered as an architecture and

products. I selected walnut, teak,

management student in the United

Demand for the products, which are handcrafted in small batches, has been high, with designs such as Lush, which features a plantain leaf motif illustrated by Ghanaian artist Na Chainkua Reindorf, already sold out. Local restaurants such as Sunshine Salads, Café Kwae and the Royal Senchi are using Studio Badge products in their service and they’re proving very popular with tourists searching for an example of quality Ghanaian design.

I want to create products that can be integrated seamlessly into any home or lifestyle space

The individual quality of the handmade products – variations in colour, shading, texture, shape and grain are inherent in each Studio Badge product – can be made even more personal with a name or special message engraved on the platters. This has proved a favourite for

An early supporter of Leonie’s

wedding and special occasion gifts.

vision was Aisha Ayensu, founder of

States. “I fell deeply in love with the texture, character and strength of

the luxury women’s fashion brand

A special gift

Christie Brown. Leonie was commis-

“I love that our products mean so

sioned to makeover the designer’s

much to people that they often

studio and produce new furniture

think about someone special to gift

for it.

them with before even buying them

Leonie put together a team of

for themselves,” says Leonie. “The

concrete as a material,” she says. “I

two craftsmen who have years of

was inspired by architects like Tadao

experience in carpentry and wood-

Ando from Japan and Ghana’s own

turning and Studio Badge was

David Adjaye, who really looked at

born at a studio in Osu. Initially the

the range of effects that one can

focus was on furniture and lighting,

rate, Leonie says the next step is to

achieve with concrete.”

but soon the company moved into

expand to other stores in Accra and

lifestyle products such as platters,

to other African countries. “We have

bowls and vases.

our eyes on Nigeria, Kenya, South

Once her studies were over, Leonie worked in construction and was impressed by the quality of the craftsmen she was working with on

In high demand

site. An idea began to hatch that

“I love that someone can pick up a

would utilise the wealth of natural

product like one of our food platters

materials and talented artisans

and easily bring it into their home or

here to transform the perception of

gift it to a loved one,” says Leonie.

African-made goods.

“When most people think about

The products are classic with simple, geometric shapes and very

FOOD FRAME One of the concrete platters

majority of our gift recipients come back to the store themselves to discover and indulge further.”

With demand growing at such a

Africa, Ivory Coast and Senegal in Africa, and also the US,” she says.

Set your Instagram filters in anticipation.

Need to know

African-made products, they usually

clean, straight lines used to express

Studio Badge products are available from its work-

think about products that fall a bit

that minimalist look. This is home-

shop at F457/1, Salem Ave, Osu, Accra and online at

low on the quality spectrum and we

ware to be savoured and saved.

www.studiobadge.com. The company offers delivery services in Accra and usually completes orders in 24

want to change that completely,”

Leonie says: “I want to create

says Leonie. “High quality comes

products that can be integrated

to 48 hours. It can also arrange international deliveries

with a meticulous attention to detail

seamlessly into any home or lifestyle

via DHL upon request.

and a commitment to continue to

space and that one would be happy

refine. The dream is to be able to

to have around for years on end.

Opening hours for the Osu store are Monday to Friday,

do this at a very large scale and to

Studio Badge pieces are meant to

10 am to 6 pm, and Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm (except

inspire other African makers.”

get better with time.”

on special event days).

FLYafrica

17

WINafrica

ER N IN W

FLYafrica competition

Francis Add ai

A chance to win one of Studio Badge’s best-selling platters Studio Badge’s handcrafted platters showcase the best in Ghanaian wood, concrete and design. Its products are unique, practical and beautiful as well as being highly sought-after. FLYafrica readers have the chance to own one of the company’s best-selling products in this edition’s competition. The Mini Aitch platter is made of pink-dyed concrete and wood, looks stunning and is divinely smooth to the touch. It’s sure to help everything you like to eat look as good as it tastes.

To be in with a chance of winning the prize, answer the three questions below and send them, along with a picture of you holding Issue 4 of FLYafrica, to awacompetition@landmarine.org Good luck!

QUESTIONS

ER N IN W

Afia Appia

Congratulations to last issue’s lucky winners who won a dining experience at Urban Grill

1. Name two types of Ghanaian wood used to create Studio Badge’s platters?

2. Which building in Washington DC has the address 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

3. In which Nigerian city does Wecyclers operate?

COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Closing date is July 28 2019. 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, Studio Badge or Land & Marine Publications Ltd.

flyAfricaWorld.com 18

YO LOX P E R I E N C E S . C O M

In the last issue’s competition we had two vouchers worth GHS 500 each to spend at Urban Grill, one of Accra’s leading restaurants, up for grabs.

The lucky winners were Francis Addai and Afia Appiah. Congratulations to you both and thanks for flying AWA.

EXPLORING BEYOND THE WHITE HOUSE IN

Washington DC The recently agreed Memorandum of Understanding between Africa World Airlines and South African Airways creates an expanded network for both carriers as well as seamless connections at their respective hubs in Accra and Johannesburg. Among the amazing destinations to which AWA passengers in Accra can now fly directly is Washington DC – so FLYafrica has put together a top 10 of places to visit in America’s capital.

1

The White House

Visitors from around the world come to see the home and office of the United States President. It may be Donald Trump munching cheeseburgers in the presidential bed now, but The White House has been home to every US head of state since John Adams, the second president to be sworn in, after the first, George Washington, selected the site for the building at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The historic structure has been expanded and renovated many times since then and it currently has 132 rooms on six levels, some of which can be explored by the public. Free public tours are limited to groups of 10 or more and non-US citizens need to contact their embassy in DC well ahead of their visit. Otherwise, there is the newly renovated White House Visitor Centre next door, while Lafayette Park offers fantastic views of the front of the iconic building.

Whitehouse.gov

2

The Smithsonian Museums

Culture vultures who love their museums will be in heaven in Washington DC. They are everywhere. Most are under the auspices of The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, which has 19 freeto-look-around museums in the city. Many are within walking distance of each other in National Mall – ideal for a day’s museum mooching.

Among them are the National Air and Space Museum, the American History Museum and the Natural History Museum.

The latter is famous for its enormous prehistoric white shark and a 45.5 carat jewel known as the Hope Diamond. si.edu

3

The Lincoln Memorial

This 99 ft-high tribute to Abraham Lincoln was modelled on the ancient Greek temple, the Parthenon, with its imposing Doric columns – 36 of them to symbolise the number of US states at the time the country’s 16th president, who paved the way for the abolition of slavery in the US, was assassinated.

Centrepieces of the memorial are an enormous marble statue of a seated Lincoln and an inscription of his Gettysburg Address. The memorial steps have been the site of many more famous pieces of oratory – chief among them Martin Luther King’s civil rights speech ‘I Have A Dream’ – and also hosted the concert to welcome in the inauguration of President Barack Obama. They also provide fantastic views of Capitol Hill and the Potomac River. The memorial is open to look around day and night, while rangers are on hand to offer guided tours from 10 am to 11 pm. abrahamlincolnonline.org FLYafrica

19

4

The Newseum

5

Billy Martin’s Tavern

Tony Webster | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-2.0

Since the 1960s journos have been flocking to this bar and restaurant in Georgetown, one of the liveliest parts of the city. It wasn’t just the quality food and drink that drew them – there was breaking news to be found at the tables. It was John F. Kennedy’s local (he is said to have proposed to the future Jackie Kennedy here) and he rarely missed the Sunday brunch – understandable, as the choice and servings are huge and the home-made creamed chipped beef has become a city favourite.

Martins-tavern.com

20

6

DavidNNP / Shutterstock.com

A museum not part of the Smithsonian complex, but well worth a visit, is this tribute to journalism.

Its entrance contains a gallery that displays the front pages of daily newspapers around the world, updated each day.

The many interactive features include the chance to record your piece to camera. You’ll also find the largest display of sections of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany within an exhibition on how the media contributing to bringing down the border between East and West Germany. Even if you’re not a newshound, the sixth-floor terrace of the museum offers panoramic views of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Newseum.org

Dupont Circle

Fancy yourself as a bit of chess grandmaster? Well, prepare to have your skills severely tested at the parkcum-roundabout at historic Dupont Circle.

Every evening it attracts some of the city’s best chess players and you can give them a game for a fee you’ll agree with your opponent. The range is usually between US$ 2 and US$ 100, depending on your affluence. If you’re a beginner, ask for a lesson instead of a game. Either way, you’re going to get schooled.

7

Busboys and Poets For a city often portrayed as the capital of the free world, Washington DC is very racially segregated. One of the few places where white and black hang out after work is this restaurant, book shop, performance venue and community gathering place. Busboys and Poets – the name refers to American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1920s, before he gained recognition as a poet – was established in 2005 as a centre of opposition to the US involvement in Iraq. It has now expanded to six outlets in the city, with its flagship location in the U Street Corridor, known as ‘Black Broadway’ in the 1920s, putting on spoken-word concerts every Tuesday evening. busboysandpoets.com

8 Naveed Ashraf / Shutterstock.com

International Spy Museum

Yes, it’s another museum, but it’s a lot of fun and has just reopened in a gleaming new location at L’Enfant Plaza. There’s plenty to learn here about the history of spying, but visitors also get to assume a false identity, with lots of tests along the way to check if you can remember all your details.

Spymuseum.org DavidNNP / Shutterstock.com

DC is a great place to explore by bicycle. There are trails to follow and hire shops to grab some two-wheeled transport. Rock Creek Park’s paths are mostly flat and at the weekends the area is closed to cars, allowing a healthy escape from the city’s bustle. Another option is to follow the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal out of the city. You can ride for just a few miles or follow it 200 miles to its end.

The hire shop Big Wheel Bikes is only a few yards from the canal.

Bigwheelbikes.com

10

The Peacock Room

Another museum – did I mention there are a lot in DC? – but the Freer Gallery, on Jefferson Drive, is definitely worth a look for this breathtakingly opulent room. This reinstallation has lifted the contents of what was originally the dining room in the London home of wealthy shipowner Frederick Richards Leyland. He was one of James McNeill Whistler’s leading patrons and the artist designed the masterpiece of interior decorative mural art – a vision in blue and gold to set off the more than 250 sumptuous Far Eastern ceramics on display. freersackler.si.edu

Kamira / Shutterstock.com

9

Bike trails

FLYafrica

21

SHARING STYLE TIPS WITH

GHANA’S TOP FASHION BLOGGERS Fashion used to be seen as an elitist industry, but social media has changed that. Now, style bloggers in Ghana are showcasing the latest looks not through glamorous fashion shoots but by showing how clothes are worn on the street. The best of these influencers attract followers in their thousands, all looking for achievable style tips and creative looks they can emulate. In the wake of Wear Ghana Month, we look at five of the best fashion blogs to follow which promote Ghanaian culture and the fashion industry.

Tracy Jamilatu Iddrisu

A. Fashion has always been part of my life.

to the dictates of my religion, too. I don’t

Sites: blog, Stylebytrey. blogspot.com; Instagram: @Empress_jamila

However, I got into the business of fashion

believe in being trashy for a lack of a better

probably five years ago after an old mentor

word to be sexy. I’m a woman and that

spoke to me about it and believed my

alone makes me sexy.

Followers: 189k Signature style: ‘Elegance and class but with a touch of modesty’

talent could be harnessed. I’ve always been inspired by my twin mothers who raised

Q. Where do you source your clothes

me. I learnt to dress up and style my looks

from?

just like them. Even up to this day, I take

A. Actually, I’m a personal shopper. I shop

style advice from them. I’m more like an

exclusively for clients who have a tight

improved version of them.

schedule and can’t have the time to do that. As such I source most of my outfits

Q. What effect do you aim to have with

from Ghanaian/African designers and other

Award-winning fashion stylist and

your blog?

world brands when I’m tasked to travel to

personal shopper Tracy Jamilatu Iddrisu,

A. Style By Trey as a blog has always been

shop for clients. A lot of the designers have

known as ‘Jamila’ by her army of fans, has

my little safe space. I love to express my

grown to become friends.

perfected the look of a host of stars from

style, mood and ideas through the blog. It’s

the entertainment and fashion world. She

been life-changing helping young African

Q. Are you able to make an income from

sources most of her outfits from Ghanaian

women put oomph and panache in their

your blog?

and African designers and models many

outfits. The main aim is to educate people

A. Yes, it’s been very profitable. I’ve gained

of them on her social media platforms to

and, of course, make money. Making

several gigs and ambassadorial deals from

inspire her followers. She also drops regular

money through fashion continues to be

the blog. I’ve been privileged to work with

fashion knowledge bombs on her blog.

the goal.

Mövenpick hotels, Vlisco and other interna-

Her style is polished, body-conscious and

22

tional brands.

sophisticated. Here, the ‘CEO of Empress

Q. What is your signature style?

Jamila’ talks about her work to FLYafrica.

A. My signature style is elegance and class

Q. What are your ambitions for your blog

but with a touch of modesty. I come from

and your work in fashion?

Q. How did you become interested in

a family of staunch Muslims and Christians

A. To be a powerhouse and authority in

fashion?

alike. I’m Christian and so I dress according

fashion. I want to be able to collaborate

Finders Keepers Outfits Site: @finderskeepersoutfits Followers: 3.9k Signature style: Funky thrift store fashions Takoradi-born Daniel Quist is synonymous with street style in Ghana. He has brought his eye for characterful clothing combinations to collaborations with hipster DJ Steloo and Ghanaian hip hop stars Akan, M.anifest and Gasmilla. His most long-standing partnership, though, is with photographer Francis Kokoroko.

The pair set up The Studio Accra, which hosts events from music to spoken word poetry, film screenings, exhibitions and pop-ups, but the trendy twosome

Afua Rida Site: website www.styledbyrida.com Instragram @afuarida Followers: 116k Signature style: Classy and effortless with plenty of Afrocentric splashes of colour.

are also the curators of an Instagram account and digital store called Finders

This former model, now stylist, blogger and

Keepers Outfits, a collection of the

runway show producer shares tips on how

coolest discoveries from Accra’s thrift

to create your own style and be confident in

markets. Their vintage finds are bold,

what you wear. If you need some personal

with renowned brands to create collec-

bright and take a certain confidence

styling, want a wardrobe revamp or have a

tions that are representative of the African

to pull off – Quist has been known to

wedding coming up where you need to look

woman. Guest blogging for Vogue,

wear a motorcycle helmet indoors – but

your glamorous best, Afua can help. She

Harper’s Bazaar and Elle magazine is also

certainly make a strong statement. The

honed her skills working for Ghana fashion

on the list of things I want to be able to

pair have worked with brands such as

styling company House of Cramer, but now

do. And, of course, make so much money

Ghanaian socks-with-attitude company

has set out alone with her styling touches

that I cannot even spend while travelling

Chale Socks and social enterprise

all over photo shoots for clients such as

the world.

Sibhale Africa.

African head wrap designers Loza Tam and TV actress Joslyn Dumas. She is passionate

Q. Who or what are your inspirations?

about champion-

A. My twin mothers are my inspiration in

ing the work of

life. They are my source of joy and pride.

Ghanaian design-

Juggling all my different hats as a style

ers and works

blogger, personal stylist, event organ-

to promote the

iser/planner, entrepreneur and many

untapped talent

more is tough but I do it for them. I’m

here by nurturing

also inspired by the 21st-century African

younger models

woman, who is independent and limitless.

and stylists

They’re goal-getters and passionate. I do

looking to break

this for them because the future is female

into the fashion

and African.

industry.

FLYafrica 23

Hayet Rida Sites: Instagram hayet.rida website hayetrida.com Followers: 64k Signature style: Day-to-day fashion, both smart and casual, for stylish, busy women.

Born in Ghana, but now living in Chicago, Hayet Rida is a plus-size model, stylist and blogger. Her Instagram site and blog are full of images of Hayet modelling outfits

Papa Oppong

fuller figure. Should you want to copy any

actress Rosario Dawson and fashion

of these looks, the site also has links to

marketing expert Abrima Erwiah with

the website of the labels she wears and

bases in New York and Accra. Despite the

partners with. The website and blog are

American and European interest, he has

a celebration of self-love and positivity

chosen to work on “building a beautiful,

and Hayet’s ‘seize the day’ outlook has

simple fashion label which aims to be an

inspired more than 64,000 followers

ode to the African woman” in Accra. Papa’s

who admire themselves in whatever they

fashion shows in the city stay long in the

decide to wear. Hayet admits she has not

Freelance fashion illustrator and designer,

memory. He shares a love for shocking his

always had such a good relationship with

art director and creative consultant Papa

audience with one of his fashion influences,

the way she looks and some of the posts

Oppong Bediako first gained fame through

the British designer Alexander McQueen,

on her warm and confessional blog act as

his Instagram account. His wonderful

and one recent show saw him saw him

reminders to others who may be similarly

artwork of strong yet feminine women –

transforming the Birkenstock shop in Accra

plagued with insecurity that there is a way

either drawn by hand or digitally illustrated

into a fantasy girls’ dormitory to showcase a

to happiness and fulfilment.

on his iPad – drew global interest, with

capsule collection of eight pieces presented

those impressed including American singer

in collaboration with the iconic German

Rihanna, who has since become a muse

shoemaker. He is still a regular Instagram

for Papa. Since graduating from Accra’s

user and the blog acts as an outlet for ideas

Radford University College with a fashion

for this restlessly creative designer. It’s full

degree, Papa has worked with clients such

of his latest illustrations and photo shoots

as crystal jewellers Swarovski and MAC

and is essential viewing for any fashion

Cosmetics. He also interned with Studio

obsessive.

Sites: Instagram @papaoppong website papaoppong.com Followers: 18.2k Signature style: Cutting-edge fashion for strong women

24

and accessories that flatter and flaunt her 189 – a fashion label set up by American

INSIDER information Terrazzo is on trend The speckled mosaic of marbled scraps known as terrazzo was first used by Venetian craftsmen as a flooring technique in the 18th century, but still looks cutting-edge in modern interiors. When created with contemporary colours, it can bring interest and texture to a wide range of furniture, lighting and wallpaper. Time to add that special speckle to your home.

ART OF ABSTRACT TERRAZZO WALLPAPER www.mindtheg.com US$ 197 for three rolls

TERRAZZO CUSHION www.einrichten-design.de US$ 60 YES STUDIO HAND CREAM MINTY ELDERFLOWER www.store.wildandwolf.co.uk US$ 9.95

ALFOMBRA VINĂ?LICA TERRAZZO RUG www.aixo.es US$ 196

TERRAZZO BLOOMINGVILLE LAMP www.aixo.es US$ 94

KARLSSON TOM TERRAZZO WALL CLOCK PINK www.thedesigngiftshop.com US$ 109

MATRIX LAMPSHADE www.madebyhandonline.com US$ 190

All products displayed can be shipped to all countries globally.

DORIS SPLATTER TEACUP AND SAUCER www.sweetpeaandwillow.com US$ 23.50

FLYafrica 25

STAYafrica

French luxury, African charm Flagship hotel is a hub of culture in vibrant Ivorian capital

T

he Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire is so much more than a hotel.

It stands colossal overlooking the Ébrié Lagoon in the chic district of Cocody in the north of the city.

Inside you’ll find a staggering selection of amenities – among them a 3D cinema, a bakery, four restaurants, four bars and a shopping mall as well as a ballroom that can accommodate 3,000 guests and has hosted fashion shows and art exhibitions. It has become the cultural hub of this vibrant city, with some of the capital’s most prestigious events taking place within its elegant interiors and a star-studded guest list that has only this month included rock star Bono and US businesswoman and fashion designer Ivanka Trump.

skyscrapers, and called the Hotel Ivoire.

touches bring warmth and vibrancy.

In 2012 it was taken over by Sofitel,

The hotel’s meetings and events venue,

which began an extensive renovation of

the Palais des Congrès, has been

the building to turn it into the French-

updated using the latest architectural

owned luxury hotel franchise’s flagship

techniques, including its façade – all

establishment in West Africa, catering

7,700 square metres of it – being

for business and leisure travellers.

fitted with customised Corian panels.

Stunning renovations Guests at the five-star hotel can take advantage of these features as well as the hotel’s convenient location in the Cote D’Ivoire capital, close to Cocody University, foreign embassies and Abidjan’s cultural attractions. Le Plateau business district and Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport are just a short drive away.

The hotel has been an iconic part of the Abidjan skyline since 1963. It was built by Romanian-Israeli architect Moshe Mayer, renowned for his luxury 26

The results of the renovation are, quite

The new look further enhances the building’s standing as Abidjan’s premier

simply, stunning. The Sofitel Abidjan

MICE venue. Its 1,650-seat auditorium,

now has 423 rooms, including a range

with its dome of scarlet webbing, has a

of luxury suites, across its two main

state-of-the-art audiovisual system for

buildings, the 23-storey Tour Ivoire

powerful work seminars and the space

and the cavernous Palace Ivoire. All

can accommodate up to 3,000 people

rooms have undergone a makeover,

as a ballroom for events or weddings.

blending French luxury with African

Across the hotel there are 18 rooms for

charm. Artwork by renowned French

events hosting and the hotel can take

environmentalist and photographer

care of every detail, from waiting staff

Yann Arthus-Bernard adorns the walls

through specially created menus to

and some African chic interior design

cocktails in the gardens.

Renovations have also included the

If you want a chocolate hit on the run,

introduction of a spa at the hotel.

grab a snack from the hotel’s very own

SoSPA nestles among the hotel’s

bakery, Grignotine, which brings a

lush gardens, with its tranquil, refined

touch of cocoa to its pastry classics.

interiors designed by French-Ivorian artist Valérie Oka. This stunning spa has won a World Luxury Spa Award every year since its inception in 2017.

More pampering opportunities abound at Sofitel Abidjan’s steam room and relaxation lounge, suffused with aromatic essences. Guests and the public can also sculpt their bodies at the 24-hour gym or swim in the hotel’s pool, which follows the curves of the lagoon around the hotel and is fringed by coconut palm trees.

Choice of cuisine For more substantial bites, Sofitel Abidjan has a choice of four restaurants offering a blend of French, African and international cuisine. All bar one of the restaurants is in the running for this year’s World Luxury Restaurant Awards. Among the

Sofitel Abidjan at a glance

of Abidjan’) on the top floor of the

423 luxuriously appointed rooms,

Tour Ivoire. It offers delicious French

including spacious suites and

dishes that draw on freshly caught fish

apartments

and local produce and, as you would

Four restaurants – you’d expect winning Gallic cuisine from Sofitel, but dishes also encompass Ivorian classics and international fare

expect from such a vantage point,

as an oasis. Among the hotel’s four bars

incredible views of the city.

meals. The Cacao Lounge, in the lobby, affords wonderful views of the pool and the lagoon beyond. Here you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee, cocktails and handmade chocolate treats

hair salon, a casino, an art gallery and a theatre.

nominees is the Toit d’Abidjan (‘Roof

You don’t have to get wet to enjoy such is one offering poolside drinks and light

what this vast hotel offers. A thorough search will also uncover a 3D cinema showing the latest big-screen releases, a shopping mall selling luxury African fashion and jewellery, a

Those in search of more international fare can head for the Gourmandise, which runs an all-day buffet and offers outdoor dining on its terrace. Its Sunday brunch draws a crowd.

showcasing the country’s status as the

Such an array of amenities, but I have

world’s largest cocoa producer.

really only scratched the surface of

Health and fitness – the hotel has an award-winning spa as well as a roundthe-clock gym, a swimming pool, a tennis court and a nearby golf course.

Meetings and events – the Palais des Congrès has a 1,650-seat auditorium and a ballroom, La Patinoire, that can accommodate 2,500 people.

FLYafrica 27

Writing talent’s deadly debut Blood is thicker than water in the darkly comic novella ‘My Sister, The Serial Killer’ as two sisters form a murderous alliance. Its Nigerian author, Oyinkan Braithwaite, reveals her inspirations, her reactions to the book’s immediate international success – and why she hasn’t yet told her grandmother the full title of the book.

Q. It’s been a long time since I’ve

Q. Another theme of the book

read an opening paragraph to a

seems to be the power of beauty.

novel that grabbed me as much as

Ayoola seems to be able to get

‘My Sister The Serial Killer’ – “Ayola

away with just about anything

summons me with these words:

because she is so physically

Korede, I killed him. I had hoped

attractive?

I would never hear those words

A. Yes, the theme of beauty, or

again.” How long did it take to get

rather society’s engagement

the opening right?

with beauty, was the theme at the

A. These two sentences were the

forefront of my mind when I was

very first sentences I wrote, in the

writing this novel. The story is a bit

very first draft. The thing about a

of an exaggeration, but I do find that

good first sentence is that it propels

society has an unhealthy relationship

dren in Nigeria. I am fortunate that,

you forward, as a reader but also as

with outward beauty.

for the most part, my parents have

INSTANT SUCCESS The novella has proved an international hit

a writer. And since I am not really a

communication and understanding between parents and chil-

been conscious of this and have

planner, the sentence helped me to

Q. I have read that you are afraid

understand the tone of the novel and

to tell your grandmother the full

where I was going to go next. I recall

title of the book and your mother

Q. The novel has been praised for

playing with the word ‘summons’

and father have not read it in full as

its evocation of Lagos life. How

but I don’t remember what its

they feel it is ‘too dark’ for them. In

important was it for you to set

predecessor was.

the novel itself there does seem to

events in the Nigerian capital?

be a chasm of understanding and

A. I didn’t overthink it. I picked

Q. Do you see the novel as feminist?

outlook between generations. Is

Nigeria because I live here. If I was

The depiction of men in the novel is

that something you feel is particu-

living somewhere else at the time,

far from flattering – from the over-

larly strident in Nigeria?

I would probably have set it there.

bearing, alcoholic father to Tade,

A. My father completed the book

But setting it in Nigeria was perfect

who seems honourable at first but

towards the end of last year, so, yay!

because it made it a tad more plau-

is shown in a new light when he falls

And yes, I am under the impres-

sible that the sisters got away with

for Ayoola – while there is a twisted

sion that there is often a lack of

certain things.

done their best to bridge the gap.

sisterhood and strength between Korede and Ayoola?

A. I wasn’t trying to write a feminist novel, but I am attracted to strong female characters and I am glad that people appreciate that. However, I believe the women in this particular novel were just as despicable as the men.

28

I wasn’t trying to write a feminist novel, but I am attracted to strong female characters and I am glad that people appreciate that

Q. I have read you like to write quickly before your conscience can hold you back. Do the results shock you as well?

A. I don’t know that the results shock me. I am an overthinker, so writing quickly allows me to write freely.

All pictures by Amaal Said

OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE ‘The world is dark enough already, it doesn’t need my help’

Q. What was your inspiration, literary or otherwise, for the novel?

A. I was inspired by the research I had done on the black widow spider in the past. I was also inspired by anime. I watch a lot of Japanese animation and I admire how they make seemingly ridiculous concepts work.

Q. Despite the dark subject matter, there is plenty of humour in the book and the tone is quite light and arch. Why did you do this?

A. I can write purely dark content, but the world is so dark already, it doesn’t really need my help. I guess I didn’t want to stay immersed in darkness for the entire time it takes to write a novel. If it were a short story, I may not have felt compelled to keep it light.

Q. I hear the book has already been optioned for a film by the producers of ‘Baby Driver’. Are you excited at the prospect and what has been your reaction to how successful the book has been in Nigeria and now across the world?

A. I am very excited, and I feel incredibly blessed. As for the success of the book, I wasn’t expecting it and I am so grateful to my agent and my publishers. Their faith in the book is what has taken it to where it is.

Q. Do you still do performance poetry? What do you like about it?

A. I don’t do performance poetry as much, mostly because it is nervewracking – standing on stage, having strangers staring at you and waiting for you to say something profound. I am not entirely sure what I like about it, or even that I like it…I did it once, the reaction was positive,

‘My Sister, The Serial Killer’ is available at all good bookshops across West Africa and also online at Amazon.

For more information on Oyinkan and her work, visit oyinkanbraithwaite.com

and so I kept on doing it. I like watching other people do it.

FLYafrica 29

FILM

ON THE RUN When award-winning film director Leanne Welham began to document the efforts of two struggling athletes to put Sierra Leone on the distance running map, she had no idea she would be at the heart of a news story that spread across the world.

F

is not a popular sport in Sierra Leone, distance running especially, so the pair train with sprinters or alone. Despite both recording the country’s best-ever marathon times for their sex, they receive little in the way of funding so both work full-time, Mamie as a police officer

ilm director Leanne Welham

which follows the efforts of a pair of

is a definite name to watch.

marathon runners from Sierra Leone

She received huge acclaim

to reach the top of their sport. Begun

and Idrissa delivering coffee. Even HUGE ACCLAIM Leanne’s feature-length drama Pili

getting enough food is a struggle and both athletes have seen their

for ‘Pili’, her recently released

in 2014, Leanne’s debut docu-

feature-length drama about a

mentary premieres this year. The

woman living with HIV in rural

unbelievable events captured in the

Tanzania, and now has studio

film made news headlines around

crowdfunding organisation Freetown

backing to direct ‘The Warning’, a

the world and those four years were

Fashpack, which champions Sierra

thriller based on an original idea by

packed with drama.

Leonean talent in sport, art and

Leanne and set in 1940 during the Blitz when Britain was relentless

Struggle

bombed by the German Luftwaffe.

The documentary focuses on

However, her next work to hit the big screen will be ‘Keep On Running’, 30

MARATHON DREAM Jo Dunlop and Idrissa Kargbo in ‘Keep On Running’

Freetown athletes Idrissa Kargbo and Mamie Konneh Lahun. Athletics

training regime disrupted by doses of malaria.

Still, when Jo Dunlop, head of

music, saw the two running around the Freetown track, their abilities were obvious.

She sought to arrange opportunities for the pair to test themselves

against the world’s best and put Sierra Leone distance running on the map. She secured Idrissa a place in the New York Marathon and entered both athletes in the London Marathon. Both events did not go to plan. Idrissa, used to the humid running conditions in his home

We were surprised by the media coverage. The police tweeted about Mamie as a missing person and all of the news outlets ran with it

just Idrissa and Mamie but many of the athletes that used to hang out at the national stadium. I think she became their de facto manager by accident really. Nobody else, certainly not the government, was interested in helping them attend races.

country, struggled in the November chill of the Big Apple, finishing in 2

International Development]. I met Jo

Q. What challenges for the athletes

hours 58 minutes, well short of his

and we became friends. She told me

did you witness?

national record of 2 hours 35 minutes

about Idrissa smashing the national

A. Mamie used to earn about $90 a

and ending up in hospital with

record with no training and that

month in her job as a police traffic

exposure.

she planned to help him achieve his

officer, a relatively decent wage for

dream of becoming a world class

Freetown. Idrissa was unemployed

far better – Mamie finished in 20th

athlete. I thought that it was fascinat-

and effectively homeless, staying

place, setting a new national record

ing and would make a great subject

with friends and family. Both told me

– but post-race events attracted the

for a documentary. I was interested

they found it hard to find the money

attention of the British police and

to see how far they could go.

to eat the food they needed to train

In London, the race results were

international media. Moments after

hard. Idrissa would often skip meals

finishing the race, Mamie could not

Q. The film has a drama at its heart

entirely. Neither of them had enough

be found and it was revealed she had

that you can’t have been expecting

money, nutrition or time to train

absconded.

at the start of the project. What do

properly.

This is only the beginning of the

you remember about filming the

story in which Leanne, Idrissa and

2014 London Marathon?

Q. Do you intend for the film to be

Jo feared for the safety of a woman

A. It was a very surreal day. We were

shown in Sierra Leone?

who had become their friend and

so worried that Mamie was simply

A. I do plan to screen the film at the

were concerned about how the

lost or potentially in danger that

national stadium for the athletes

event would affect her future as a

when we realised she had abscond-

and the public and I hope the film

Sierra Leone athlete.

ed it was almost a relief. Then the

will start a conversation in Freetown

gravity of what that would mean for

about supporting local talent.

It’s a gripping tale and one that emphasises the often lonely battle

Mamie and for Idrissa and Jo began

these athletes undergo to be the

to sink in. We were totally surprised

Q. Ultimately, what do you hope

best they can be. Here, FLYafrica

by the media coverage. The police

viewers take away from this film?

talks to Leanne about how she tried

tweeted about Mamie as a missing

A. I hope they are entertained first

to remain detached from events as

person and all of the news outlets

and foremost! I didn’t set out to tell

they unfolded and her admiration for

ran with it.

people a particular message with this

the athletes and Jo.

film; rather, I wanted to follow Idrissa Q. What impressed you most about

Q. This is your debut documentary

Mamie?

film, but has been four years in the

A. Mamie was always a bit of a

making and still not released. Why

closed book, fairly reserved and

has it taken so long?

quiet. Her huge determination was

A. This film began life as a self-

always evident. She was incredibly

funded project, meaning myself and

talented and ambitious and wanted

others involved in the film have had

to be the best in Africa. I really

to fit this around paid work. And the

admired her drive.

and Jo on their journey to achieve a LEANNE WELHAM ‘I hope the film encompasses some of the crazy energy of Freetown’

sporting dream, something anyone can relate to. I hope it encompasses some of the crazy energy, colour and humour of Freetown.

nature of observational documentary means that I wasn’t really sure

Q. Are Mamie and Idrissa heroes in

where the end of the story was until

Sierra Leone?

it happened, four years after I began

A. Mamie was a star in Freetown and

filming.

is still well known. Idrissa became well known after smashing the

Q. What began your involvement in

national record.

the film?

A. I had been in Sierra Leone visit-

Q. What drove Jo to take on

ing my brother who worked there

managing the athletes?

for DFID [the Department For

A. Jo became good mates with not FLYafrica

31

AWApilots follow their dreams of a career among the clouds.

Here, Cecilia – known as ‘Cici’ to her friends – talks to FLYafrica about the rigorous training she had to undergo, what flying feels like and her ambitions in the aviation industry.

Q. Did you always want to be a pilot?

A. As most children, I had dreams of becoming a lot of things when I was younger, but strangely being a pilot was never one of them. For the longest time I wanted to become an engineer, but around the time that I found out about flight school I wanted to become a biochemist. That dream was very quickly replaced by my passion and love for flying and from then on my desire was only to become a pilot.

Q. When you said you wanted to pursue a career as a pilot, were you encouraged at school and by your family?

A. My family was a little apprehensive about me becoming a pilot at first. But

‘Flying is the best feeling in the world’

they still encouraged me to pursue what I loved after they saw that my passion for it wouldn’t falter. Now they are my greatest support and recently got to fly with me for the very first time, which was superexciting for us all!

Q. You went to flight school aged 19. Had you had any flight experience prior to this?

A. Before I went to flight school I had no prior flight experience. My only encounter with aeroplanes was as a passenger and plane-spotting at the airport.

Q. I believe the course was intensive – all

32

your study and flight time packed into two

any women will have heard

M

Globally, just over five per cent of

of, and battled against, the

commercial pilots are women, accord-

glass ceiling in their profes-

ing to the Air Line Pilots Association,

as I was living there at that point in time.

sional career – but what about the cloud

the world’s largest pilots’ union. Africa

I’m part-Norwegian and moved between

ceiling? While airline passengers are used

World Airlines now has a female pilot

Ghana and Norway with my family through-

to being looked after by female flight

among its ranks, Cecilia Ade-Cole, who

out my childhood. Flight school was very

attendants, a woman in the cockpit is still

is a junior first officer flying Embraer

intensive and there wasn’t much time for

a rarity. When was the last time you heard

145 jets across the airline’s network.

any breaks. At times it was extremely

a female voice come on the PA system

And AWA hopes more young women

overwhelming and I felt I couldn’t do it,

talking flight routes?

will be inspired by Cecilia’s example and

but with amazing colleagues, friends and

years. Can you describe the experience?

A. I went to flight school in Norway

As I was drawing nearer to the end of my training, AWA were hiring and I knew that was where I wanted to work Q. Why did you choose to fly with AWA?

relatively short runway, which sometimes

How encouraging have the company and

makes for some challenging landings, but

the other pilots been to you as a young

there’s always a feeling of great accom-

female pilot?

plishment when I make a good landing

A. I always knew I wanted to move home

there. The landscape around Takoradi

to work and fly here in Ghana. Africa

also makes the approach very nice and

World Airlines had already built up a great

picturesque.

company with a good route network and a safety standard unlike any other airline in

Q. What do you enjoy most about being

Ghana. As I was drawing nearer to the end

a pilot?

of my training, AWA were hiring and I knew

A. I love my job. I love that almost no two

that was where I wanted to work.

days are the same. Even though I might

I am so glad I’ve gotten the chance to

be operating the same route, weather and

work with the airline of my choice. The

airport conditions means there’s always

company and the other pilots have been

something new. I also like that I get to take

amazing to me. They never thought of me

passengers where they need to go and that

as any different than the other pilots and

I get to give them a nice flying experience.

have always pushed me to be the best I can be. At the moment I am the only

Q. What ambitions do you have for your

female pilot in the company, so I do stand

future as a pilot?

out a little.

A. For my future as a pilot I first of all want to make the upgrade from first officer to

family around me to cheer me on, I made it

Q. What kind of reaction do you get from

senior first officer, hopefully within the next

through the tough times.

passengers when they see you on board

year. Then after that gain enough to one

the plane?

day become a captain. I also would love the

Q. Do you remember your first flying

A. I get mostly positive reactions from

chance to one day be able to fly long-haul

hours? Can you describe the sensation of

passengers when we walk through the

flights halfway around the world.

flight – being in control of an aircraft?

terminals or they see me in the cockpit. A

A. I remember my first flight very well. It

lot of people wave and look excited and a

was a beautiful autumn morning with not

few people even come by the cockpit to say

a cloud in the sky. My flight instructor gave

‘Hi’ at times, which is always nice.

me the controls to do the first take-off all on my own and to my surprise I did it and

Q. Do you think women make good pilots?

it was a smooth and good take-off. The

A. I think anyone who is passionate about

sensation I got on that first take-off, and

their job and flying makes a good pilot,

on every take-off since, is almost inde-

regardless of gender, but I definitely believe

scribable. There’s something incredible

that women are and can be great pilots.

about feeling that power from the engine,

holding those controls in your hands as the

Q. What is your favourite place to fly into

aircraft builds up speed down the runway

on the AWA network and why?

– and the feeling when you first lift off the

A. Hmmm, a difficult question. I love all

ground is exhilarating. The best feeling in

the routes and destinations, but I think

the world!

Takoradi will have to be my favourite. It’s a

Book online

Connect with AWA Facebook

www.facebook.com/ flyafricaworld

Twitter

@flyafricaworld

Instagram

@flyafricaworld

flyAfricaWorld.com FLYafrica 33

TECHcorner Travel gadgets As trendy as it may be to unplug on vacation and immerse yourself in your new surroundings, when it comes to air travel it’s perfectly understandable to take advantage of technological innovations to help the journey fly by. AWA’s experienced and friendly crew members will do all they can to help you enjoy your time in the air, but here are some ingenious bits of kit to ensure flight comfort and joy.

The Face Cradle www.kickstarter.com/face-cradle

If you’re really into your music, trying to listen to it on an aeroplane can be frustrating, whether you’re in economy or business class. Every track seems to arrive remixed with some engine hum and the refrain of ‘seatbelts on’ alerts. However, these Audio Technica ATH-ANC33iS QuietPoint in-ear headphones create a noise-cancelling wave that acts as a noise eraser. Up to 90 per cent of background noise is removed, allowing you to focus on your music. The ultra-compact headphones are ideal for travel – they come with an aeroplane adapter - and even contain an inline microphone so you can answer phone calls and control your music.

The best-selling travel pillow in crowdfunding history gives air travellers an upgrade to sleeping class. For those who struggle to nod off in an upright position, this flexible memory foam device can be strapped to the back of an aircraft seat to form a cradle you can lean into. The flexible device can be adjusted to suit a variety of positions to find your sleep spot, including being folded down into a standard neck pillow. It now comes in a lighter version, so it’s even easier to slot into your hand luggage and ensure a revivifying nap during your flight.

Price: US$ 79.99

Price: US$ 49.99

Audio Technica active noise cancelling in-ear headphones www.audio-technica.com

34

Travelmate travelmaterobotics.com Airports are all the same – thousands of holidaymakers dragging their suitcases around like recalcitrant children. But what if your baggage followed you to check-in like a devoted cocker spaniel without you even having to touch it? Well, Travelmate is the first ever robot assistant and autonomous suitcase. Smart Features like obstacle avoidance and the Follow Me system put Travelmate at the leading edge of AI and autonomous movement technology. The robot suitcase is Bluetooth linked to its owner’s mobile phone app and will dynamically optimise its movements and adjust to the speed of movement.

It includes a GPS chip that helps orientate the suitcase and allows the owner to know its location at all times. Travelmate is approved for use on all airlines. It’s not cheap, but this could be the future of travel baggage.

eGeeTouch www.egeetouch.com

Air travel is exciting and there’s so much to distract you – such as the chatter of your fellow passengers, the amazing views from the windows and the wonderful in-flight magazine – so zoning out to ensure you arrive at your destination fresh and raring to go can be a problem. Step forward the Ostrich Pillow Loop. With its microbead-filled pads, which loop across the eyes, it provides an instant blackout effect and cushions the head. The design of this 2012 invention, which was crowdfunded into production, means you can also wear a pair of headphones for flotation-tank-level escapism. There’s very little chance of being interrupted from your cocoon-like slumber by an attentive steward enquiring if you’d like a hot drink, because once you strap this beauty on, you will look completely mad and everyone will be giving you a very wide berth.

Luggage security is a big concern for many travellers, but suitcase locks can come with their own problems. You need a key, which can easily be lost, or you have to make its tiny digit-wheels line up for your combination code, which in the heat of the moment can be forgotten. No such issues with the eGeeTouch, a Bluetooth luggage lock embedded with intelligent proximity access technology.

Its smart padlock can be paired with your mobile device (Android and iOS smartphones) through the eGeeTouch app. The app will open the lock – an NFC fob is also provide if you forget your phone – and, thanks to a smart microchip tag in the lock, will also track your luggage so there are never any problems with identifying your luggage on the carousel. To keep the contents of your luggage safe, the locks are pre-programmed with a similar algorithm system to that used in online banking, with multiple security layers preventing unauthorised attempts to extract information. Peace of mind for world travellers.

Price: US$ 29

Price: US$ 49.99

Price: US$ 1,099-1,495 (depending on size of suitcase) Free shipping worldwide

The Ostrich Pillow Loop eu.ostrichpillow.com

FLYafrica 35

INVESTMENT market review Brought to you by: Strategic African Securities Limited

Investing in Fixed Income Securities The team at Strategic African Securities Limited reveals how fixed income products work and how they can reduce risk and create a predictable income stream for investors.

For an investor, adding fixed income products to the investment portfolio is a great way to achieve diversification. In times of equity market downturn, fixed income products may offset underperforming returns on stocks while lowering the overall risk of the portfolio. Fixed income securities, such as treasury bills and bonds and money market instruments, typically offer a predictable stream of interest income on a fixed principal maturity value.

What fixed income instruments are available in Ghana?

Many kinds of fixed income products are available to investors in the market, from treasury bills to government and corporate notes and bonds.

38

Government of Ghana Treasury Bills Security Tenor Days to Coupon Maturity Descriptions Maturity Rates Date GHTB 0 07/15/19 GHTB 0 10/14/19

91 182

88 179

N/A N/A

Offer

7/15/2019 14.71% 10/14/2019 15.10%

Cocoa Bills Security Tenor Days to Coupon Maturity Descriptions Maturity Rates Date GCOCOA 07/04/19 GCOCOA 07/11/19 GCOCOA 09/19/19

182 182 182

77 84 154

N/A N/A N/A

7/4/2019 7/11/2019 9/19/2019

Offer 17.40% 17.40% 17.40%

Government of Ghana Bonds Security Tenor Days to Coupon Maturity Descriptions Maturity Rates Date HGB 181/4 09/21/20 GHGB 24.75 03/01/21 GHGB 21 01/27/25

3yr 5yr 6yr

522 683 2111

18.25% 9/21/2020 24.75% 3/1/2021 21.00% 1/27/2025

Offer 18.40% 18.40% 19.00%

Corporate Bonds Security Tenor Days to Coupon Maturity Descriptions Maturity Rates Date ESLAGH 19 10/23/24 7yr ESLAGH 19.50 10/27/27 10yr

2015 3114

19.00% 19.50%

Offer

10/23/2024 19.00% 10/27/2027 19.00%

Source: SAS Fixed Income Desk, 18th April, 2019

Treasury bills/notes (T-Bills)

dates, either at maturity for

are short-term money market

short-term instruments like

instruments issued by Bank of

T-Bills or on quarterly or semi-

Ghana or the Government of

annual bases for Treasury bonds

Ghana to borrow funds from the

for example. These payments

public for monetary operations

provide an investor with regular

or to fund fiscal operations. The

and predictable income. Interest

Government also issues notes

income is not the only way

and bonds in longer maturities

a fixed income product can

for development finance.

generate returns for the investor.

Treasury securities include the 91-day Treasury Bill, 182-day Treasury Bill, one and two-year Treasury Notes, and 3,5,6,7, 10

The market price of a bond or a longer term instrument can change over time with changes in general interest rate levels.

and 15-Year Bonds. 91-day and

Flexibility at Maturity: At

182-day Treasury Bills are issued

maturity, an investor’s account

once a week while one-year

is instantly credited with the full

Treasury Notes are issued once

principal value of the investment.

every two weeks. Treasury Bonds

Upon instructions, all or a part

are issued once a month.

of the funds (accrued interest

Commercial paper, certificate of deposits, corporate notes and bonds are money market instruments and other fixed

investment of about GH¢500, an investor can purchase T-Bills, treasury notes and bonds and other fixed income investments in the primary or secondary markets just as easily as he or she would stocks. Fixed income exposure can also be gained through a number of mutual funds.

Other benefits: Some investors use treasury security holdings as collateral for a loan whiles other use their investment statements for proof of net-worth when applying for immigration visas at embassies.

and principal) can be re-invested (Roll-over) immediately or transferred to the investor’s bank account or a cheque is issued.

income products issued by

Liquidity: Treasury securities

corporates to fund business or

and fixed income instruments

organisational operations.

can be sold relatively easily or re-discounted at any time before

Money market products mature

maturity, through the secondary

in less than a year. Products with

market process.

longer maturities often deliver higher yields than products with

Safety/ Risk Rating: Fixed

shorter maturities.

income instruments carry less risk than stocks or shares.

Clients are also able to access

Treasury bills, notes and bonds

investment in Ghana’s issued

are rated as ‘risk free’ because

Eurobonds, whose interest

they are issued by and backed

and principal payments are

by the full faith and credit of the

denominated in US Dollars,

Government of Ghana. Corporate

and also the three-year

bonds carry a little more risk

USD-denominated bonds issued

compared to treasuries and

in the domestic market by the

therefore pay higher coupons

Government in 2017.

or interest rates to compensate investors.

Why do investors buy fixed income products?

Income: Most fixed income products typically pay a competitive fixed rate of interest on scheduled amortization

Who can buy treasury securities and other fixed income instruments?

Trading in treasury bonds as well as corporate bonds is open to Ghanaians and foreigners while the buying and selling of treasury bills and notes is open only to resident and non-resident Ghanaian citizens and institutions.

Taxation: Treasury bills and bonds issued by the Government of Ghana are tax free for individuals. Ghanaian corporates incur withholding tax of 8.00% on interest income.

Convenience: With a minimum

Find out more Strategic African Securities Limited, 14th Floor, World Trade Centre, Independence Avenue, Accra Tel: +233 302 661 990 / 770 / 900 / 008 Email: info@sasghana.com, research@sasghana.com www.sasghana.com

FLYafrica 39

TIME OUT IN

Takoradi Everyone, it seems, wants a part of ‘Oil City’ Takoradi and AWA has increased its number of flights there to accommodate the booming interest. We now fly four times each way between Accra and Takoradi, or ‘Tadi’ as it’s known here, every day of the week. As to why you need to visit, we’ve got 10 reasons, ranging from the essential to the downright bizarre.

1

It’s Ghana’s ‘Oil City’

Takoradi was once a sleepy fishing village, but that all changed after it was chosen as Ghana’s first deepwater seaport and huge oil reserves – estimated at 3 million barrels – were found off its coast. Over 40 international oil companies have established operations in the city since 2007, bringing with them a stack of new job opportunities. There’s a qualified workforce here to take them now as the oil boom has also led to expanded university-level technical training programmes. Office blocks and housing estates along with new hotels and restaurants have sprung up to house and feed the inundation of oil rig workers, engineers and business people.

40

2

It’s where the streets have new names

Over the past few years a massive project to map the streets of Takoradi and its sister city, Sekondi, has taken place. Using Google Map Maker to convert aerial photographs into maps, the non-profit organisation Global Communities has given close to 4,000 streets a name and over 42,000 homes now have street addresses. Street names were decided in collaboration with residents – giving rise to choices such as Termite Alley and Permafrost Street – so now tourists won’t get lost when they’re exploring and people in the city can receive mail, shop online and be easily located by emergency services. The address system also means residents can be taxed - vital in financing basic services in a growing city.

3

It’s the birthplace of Pappy Kojo

The hip hop star, who recently released his new trap-infused single ‘Balance’, featuring Ghanaian rappers Joey B and Nshorna Muzik, is from the Fanti tribe and Takoradi is his home town. ‘Oil City’ is also the birthplace of rapper Kofi Kinaata and actress Nadia Buari.

4

It’s getting a new airport

Takoradi Airport, a military aerodrome that was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Force during the Second World War and now caters for AWA’s daily flights to and from Accra, is set to be replaced.

Construction is set to begin this year to create a modern terminal and a cargo hub.

5

It’s the setting for a fictional murder mystery You know your city’s profile is rising when an established author sets one of his popular crime novels there. Kwei Quartey is a Ghana-born, US-based writer renowned for his Darko Dawson series of novels. One of the most recent, ‘Murder At Cape Three Points’, is set in Takoradi and features Inspector Dawson delving deep into the greed and corruption of the oil rush as he searches for answers after two corpses are found adrift near a deepwater oil rig. Who was the murderer and what is the significance of the 19th-century pocket watch with a scrawled inscription invoking blood ties found with the dead? ‘Murder At Cape Three Points’, along with the rest of the Darko Dawson series, is available on Amazon.

image: Kittling Books

6

It has secluded beaches to escape the urban tumult

It’s just a couple of miles from Takoradi’s commercial centre to the coast, but its serene beachfronts are a world away from the city’s hubbub. Closest of all is Busua Pleasure Beach, fringed by restaurants selling screamingly fresh seafood. Boats can be hired to visit offshore islands. Further away, about 25 km from Tadi but worth the trip, is Axim Beach, with beautiful white sand beaches and a host of water sports to try. It also has an inland lagoon for swimming, which is very welcome as the currents here can be strong.

8

It’s got Ghana’s craziest market

Market Circle is the beating heart of Takoradi. This raucous circular market is a disorientating frenzy of colour, noise and smells.

There’s nowhere really for it to grow as the city booms, so every spare space is taken. Plans have been mooted to give it a much-needed makeover, as has happened to the tune of US$ 298 million with Kumasi Market, but even now it’s worth experiencing. You’ll find sellers parading past with a bewildering array of goods balanced on their heads, while further into the centre an almost exclusively female sales force can be seen hawking colourful vegetables, chilli peppers, fish and a variety of meat.

10

7

It’s a place even crabs fall for

If you’re walking Takoradi’s beaches at night, best watch your step as crab traps are popular. Holes are dug in the sand deep enough to fit a wooden barrel inside.

It’s then covered with a rubber sheet, and sand and palm nut husks are placed on top. Crabs scavenging on the beach at night are attracted by the husks and plunge into the barrel. In the morning the barrel should contain the main ingredient of the delicious Ghanaian dish akotonshi or stuffed crabs.

9

It has a great selection of quality hotels

The waves of visitors brought in by the business boom here have led to a quality crop of hotels, especially in the beachfront area, to accommodate them. One of the newest hotels in the city is the Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel, which is just steps from the beach and has its own restaurant and pool. Doubles, with buffet breakfast included, start at US$ 140. For a more boutique beach experience, there’s the exclusive and rustic Veivaag Lodge, which has double rooms with an ocean view from US$ 100.

It has a lively harbour (but not on Tuesdays)

The fishermen’s harbour in Takoradi is a hectic place, especially when the boats come in and the frenzied buying and selling of the catch begins.

These chaotic transactions are carried out almost exclusively by women, although it’s strictly taboo for them to participate in the activity of fishing itself. It’s also forbidden for anyone to fish on Tuesdays. Almost all the tribes along the Ghana coast worship the sea as a goddess and they believe Tuesday is the day she spends time with her fish family.

FLYafrica

41

Cash-for-trash Scheme opens way to a cleaner Lagos Lagos recycling-for-rewards start-up Wecyclers has just won the lucrative King Baudouin African Development Prize, which could help roll out the social enterprise across Nigeria and, in time, Africa.

E

very week in Lagos, Nigeria,

collect – which they can redeem for

a team of purple-T-shirted

essential goods such as food and

young men and women

household items – Wecyclers has

Nigeria and across the continent.

Such ambitions were given a boost in March when Wecyclers was

riding motorised tricycles, vans

managed to incentivise a sizeable

chosen above 200 other applica-

and trucks weave amid the densely

sector of the Lagos population

tions to be awarded the 2018-2019

populated slum neighbourhoods

previously unmoved by the need to

King Baudouin African Development

to pick up recyclable waste such as

recycle.

Prize, worth €200,000 (US$

plastics, cans and sachets in a bid to

Since Wecyclers began in 2012 –

225,000).

improve environmental sustainabil-

when the team’s collectors would

ity and community health.

travel by bicycle – its chief executive,

that improve quality of life and

In this ever-swelling megac-

The prize recognises initiatives

Wale Adebiyi, says it has collected

empower local people to take their

ity, where 18 million-plus residents

about 5,000 tonnes of recycla-

future into their own hands.

generate 15,000 tonnes of waste per

ble waste, given more than US$

day and there are towering landfill

100,000 as rewards to residents and

sites in most districts, this may seem

seen more than 17,000 Lagosians

a Sisyphean task; but Wecyclers, the

subscribe to the scheme.

Nigerian start-up behind the venture,

42

WINNERS Wecyclers has won a number of awards

has found a way to the heart of the

Growing success

problem.

The company’s founder, the Lagos

By rewarding low-income

born and raised Bilikiss Adebiyi

residents with points based on

hopes the success in her home

the weight of recyclables they

town will translate to other cities in

Wecyclers’ rewards scheme gives value to the collection of recyclable materials.

Service subscribers can exchange their points for food and household items

All pictures courtesy of Nyancho Nwanri / Arete

Wecyclers points rewards system

5

Water sachets

Five points* per kilogram

10 20 1

PET bottles

10 points* per kilogram

Aluminium cans

20 points* per kilogram

Every other item

One point per kilogram.

*A point is equivalent to one naira.

Wecyclers, which works in

rubbish would form, blocking roads

partnership with the Lagos Waste

and contributing to the spread of

Management Authority, certainly

diseases such as malaria, cholera and

meets such criteria. Although it

dysentery. Sometimes the mounds

hopes ultimately to make a finan-

of rubbish would catch fire and cover

cial profit – the company makes its

the surrounding area in acrid smoke.

money by selling the materials on to manufacturers to produce tissue

Points for recycling

paper, bedding materials, plastic

Life here is focused on surviving

furniture and bags – it has been set

each day, so the future environmen-

up to power social change.

tal cost of the piling trash carries

The problem it has taken on – the

little weight. Wecyclers’ rewards

urban waste crisis in Lagos – is a

scheme, however, gives meaningful

big one. When the company began,

value to the collection of recyclable

only 40 per cent of the city’s waste

materials. Service subscribers are

was collected by the municipal

awarded points per kilogram of recy-

government and only 13 per cent

cled waste handed in, which they

of that was recycled. The problem

can track on their mobile phones and

was especially acute in the city’s

exchange for essential goods such

in its seven years, with a focus on

informal settlements, which were

as food and household items three

women, who account for more

not served by regular rubbish

times a year, in April, August and

than half of the workforce. As well

collections. Mountains of discarded

December.

as the truck drivers, the company

TEAM Over half the workforce at Wecyclers are women

The benefits extend to creating much-needed jobs in a city where the population rises by 85 people every hour.

Wecyclers has created 200 jobs

FLYafrica 43

employs teams at its seven collec-

its operations beyond the slums to

tion and packaging hubs in the city

more affluent areas.

to sort through the water sachets,

Wale Adebiyi says: “Giving back

aluminium cans, kegs and cartons

to the community is in the DNA of

as well as plastic baskets, bowls,

Wecyclers. We want to expand our

bottles and lids that come in. This

business to other neighbourhoods.

is good news for the local recycling

In the mid-term, we want to be big

industry in Lagos, which previously

enough to build our own recycling

was operating far below its capacity

plant. Growing more for Wecyclers

but now has a reliable supply of raw

means being able to give back even

materials.

more to the community.”

Jobs creation

of the King Baudouin African

According to its calculations,

Development Prize should go a

Wecyclers has the potential to

long way to realising this vision.

create 500,000 jobs if you factor

The prize also provides access to

in the building of trucks, vans and

a wide network of stakeholders in

the attached recycling bins for its

Europe and the United States who

growing fleet of vehicles. This all

will support Wecyclers as it grows.

requires local welders, carpenters,

The company’s growing influence

painters and tailors.

has recently attracted Unilever and

The company has grand plans to

44

REWARDS SCHEME Logging subscribers’ points

The huge financial boost

the Nigerian Bottling Company

increase its presence and influ-

to become its partners in launch-

ence in Lagos. Currently, there are

ing ‘kiosks’ to drop off recycling in

seven collection hubs across the

places where there are no collec-

city – households can contact their

tion routes.

nearest one to arrange a recyclable

PURPLE REIGN Wecyclers is growing its operations in Lagos

This tiny Nigerian start-up, which

waste pick-up – and around 200 new

began with bicycles and a bit of

members are registered each month;

mobile tech, may have found a work-

but the company’s target is to reach

able solution to the massive waste

500,000 homes by 2023 and extend

problem in Lagos.

Royal award Wecyclers will be presented with the King Baudouin African Development Prize in the presence of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the Royal Palace in Brussels on 12 June.

AWAroutes

Freetown Sierra Leone

Nigeria N

Tamale C Côte ôte Ghana an n d’lvoire Monrovia Kumasi Liberia

Abidjan

Abuja Lagos

Takoradi

Explore West Africa with Africa World Airlines GHANA

NIGERIA

LIBERIA

Accra

Lagos

Monrovia

Kotoka International Airport

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Roberts International 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.

Kumasi

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

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

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

Tamale

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

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.

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

SIERRA LEONE

Freetown

Abuja

Kumasi International Airport

Tamale Airport

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

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

Abidjan Aéroport Félix Houphouët Boigny The economic capital of Cote D’Ivoire is the second largest city in West Africa after Lagos.

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

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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

AWAcontacts

Get in touch Local Offices Accra – Head Office SSNIT Emporium Ground Floor, Airport City Liberation Road PMB CT67 Cantonment Accra, Ghana SOCIAL MEDIA

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48

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