FLYafrica Magazine, Issue 8

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

Touching Africa, Touching The World!

FLYafrica ISSUE 8

HOW SKATEBOARDING IS CHANGING LIVES IN GHANA

PAGE 22

THE SISTERS LEADING A CHOCOLATE REVOLUTION PAGE 10

KUMI GUITAR LIVING THE HIGHLIFE COMPETITION

WIN

A MONTH’S FREE GYM MEMBERSHIP

SEPT-NOV 2020

Contents PAGE 22

‘57 CHOCOLATE

Sisters leading a revolution

Regulars

Features

3 Foreword

10 Highlife hero

6 FLYsafe

13 Members of the board

Africa World Airlines Head Office - UNA Homes Building 2nd/3rd floor Airport Bypass Road Airport City Road PMB CT67 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: Email: flyafrica@landmarine.org Paul Hutchings Cell: +44 (0)7701 062533 (WhatsApp)

Our Covid-19 safety measures

Ghanaian gifts

Win a month’s gym membership

Our new beauty columnist on how to achieve flawless skin throughout your flight We have world leading cocoa so why not chocolate? Meet the bean-to-bar sisters

26 Ballet takes a leap in Lagos

25 Wisdom World

Life coach Da Lady Rev talks relationships

37 Inflightmindfulness with Bliss Yoga Accra

38 INVESTMENT market review

We help fly stranded Brasilians home

22 ‘57 Chocolate

Tamale

A skateboarding scene is building in Ghana

20 AWA repatriation flight

18 STARdestination

Kumi Guitar reveals the inspirations behind his hugely popular songs

21 Alexiglam

17 WINafrica

8 INSIDER information

Dance academy teaching children for free

30 Tune in to Tamale

Why the north has Ghana’s best new music

34 CrossFit comes to Ghana

Accra’s Laila taking on world’s fittest

40 Kofi Annan

Legacy of Ghanaian hero lives on

Stocks dip further into value territory

Aaron Daunor Tel: +233 24 346 7506 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.

A message from our CEO

AWA Information

42 STAYafrica

Ahanta Eco Lodge, Busua

4 AWAnews 45 AWAroutes

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46 TRAVELinformation 48 AWAcontacts

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1

Foreword

Welcome

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SO GOOD TO SHARE THE SKIES WITH YOU AGAIN

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@flyafricaworld

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@flyafricaworld

Dear passengers, On behalf of the entire Africa World Airlines team, it is wonderful to welcome you back on board one of our flights today. As the world opens up once again, AWA remains committed to keep you flying to the people and places that mean the most to you.

We live in a different world than we did just a few months ago, and consequently you may experience small but important changes at various stages of your journey. We are constantly reviewing our processes and implementing updated measures to ensure we continue to maintain industry leading best practices for the safety of our passengers, staff and crew.

In May, Ghana became the first country in Africa and only the second in the world to restart domestic flights under enhanced safety protocols after an initial suspension due to the COVID19 pandemic. Since then more and more passengers each month have placed their confidence in AWA to meet their essential domestic transport requirements. The technology of our modern Embraer ERJ-145 jets ensures air flow in the cabin is safer than almost

all other indoor spaces and you will also never be stuck in a middle seat between two other passengers on an AWA flight due to the seating layout of our fleet.

We are proud we have been able to maintain our high standard of reliability and on-time performance despite the additional workload the new protocols generate. This is testament both to the dedication of our amazing AWA team, as well as to the co-operation of our passengers. We appreciate the faith you have put in us as your airline of choice.

You have been with us from the first day of our return to flying when we sold out every seat. Thank you for also helping minimise the risk of spreading the virus by wearing your mask and following social distancing guidelines.

Cover image courtesy of Arinzechukwu Patr ick

It is a pleasure to share the skies with you once again as we “Fly Safe, Fly Confident!� together.

Michael C. Luo Chief Executive Officer Africa World Airlines

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3

AWAnews Faster, safer, better: let us deliver your critical documents As part of our commitment to provide essential connections between the communities we serve, Africa World Airlines (AWA) has introduced an airport-toairport courier service for urgent shipments to all our domestic destinations.

Congratulations to our new captains and senior cabin crew During the Covid-19 outbreak Africa

Officers to Captain. Social distancing

World Airlines (AWA) has faced many

protocols meant the celebrations were

new challenges, but also seized the

a little muted, but our pride in their

opportunities. With fewer aircraft in

achievements can never be diminished.

the sky, we have focused on providing additional training to our team

Congratulations then to (from left to

members to build on their skills.

right) SCCM Ransford Anane, Captain Kofi Addai-Mensah, Captain Kwasi

This investment in young Ghanaian

Oteng (CSO / Chief Instructor), SCCM

talent is a key part of our efforts

Esther Addae, Capt. Patrick Owusu-

to build the country’s homegrown

Afriyie and SCCM Gideon Awuah.

aviation capacity. So we are thrilled to announce the promotion of three of

‘Fly Safe, Fly Confident’ with our

our Cabin Crew to Senior Cabin Crew

dedicated, highly qualified team of

Member (SCCM), and two of our First

Ghanaian professionals.

With rates starting at GHS 40, we can transport your documents or small parcels between Accra, Kumasi and Tamale in just one hour.

Visit the AWA airport offices at any of the domestic airports to drop off your package. All shipments are subject to security inspection prior to acceptance, and restricted items will not be transported.

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

Sticking to our schedule while staying safe Africa World Airlines (AWA) is very proud of our reliability ratings over the past few months. The figures are impressive on their own, but even more so when you take into account the additional safety and enhanced cleaning measures we have introduced after every flight due to the pandemic.

That we have been able to meet our tight turnaround times while maintaining industry-leading safety protocols is testament to the commitment of our staff.

As an example, in June and July we logged a perfect 100 per cent schedule execution rate for every flight operated while since May the percentage of items of baggage checked in on our flights and delivered safely back to their owners without any delays or damage has never dropped below 99.98%.

For the full figures from May to July, see the table below.

Reliability statistics for May - July 2020

Total flights delayed beyond two hours

2 0 July 3

Number of flights scheduled

236 362 July 448

Schedule execution rate

99.58% 100% July 100%

May

May

June

June

Flights delayed beyond two hours due to ATC

Numbers of passengers booked

2 0 July 3

5,686 9,631 July 12,543

May

May

May

June

June

June

Passengers denied boarding due to oversales

Number of bags checked in

Bags delivered on time

1 1 July 1 May

June

8,877 8,364 July 11,433

99.99% 99.99% July 99.98%

May

May

June

June

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

Toll free number:

0800 200 200

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To advertise contact: Paul Hutchings +44 (0)7701 062533 (WhatsApp) Aaron Daunor +233 24 346 7506 Head Office: +44 (0)1206 752902

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FLYafrica

5

FLYsafe fly confident The safety and well-being of Africa World Airlines (AWA) passengers, crew and staff is the top priority at all times and since the global outbreak of Covid-19 we have been committed to putting extra measures in place to make sure you ‘Fly Safe, Fly Confident’ with us. You’ll see changes at every step of the journey so let’s take a closer look at what’s new and what you can do to help.

#FlySafeFlyConfident The safety and well-being of our passengers, crew and staff is the top priority at all times. The AWA team is monitoring the situation and developments around the clock, in co-ordination with International Air Transport Association (IATA) as well as various health and governmental authorities in the countries we fly to. Nonetheless, we would like to reassure our passengers regarding the steps we are taking to ensure your safety.

Above and beyond safety protocols Our enhanced sanitary protocols remain in effect and exceed IATA standards. We have resumed domestic flights under industry leading safety protocols which were jointly developed by the domestic airlines, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ghana Airports Company Ltd and Ghana Health Service.

Temperature checks Thermal screening on entry to the terminal.

Contactless check-in Non-contact ID check procedures at check-in, security and boarding.

You will never get a middle seat!

You will also never be stuck in a middle seat between two other passengers due to the layout of our modern Embraer ERJ-145 jets. Nobody will have another passenger other than their child under 12 seated next to them. There will also be enforced social distancing at boarding gates.

Masks, not meals • Mandatory use of face masks by all passengers, airport staff and crew throughout the journey.

6

• Prohibition of food and drink consumption on board domestic flights – which have a maximum duration of one hour – so that passengers keep their masks on at all time.

Enhanced cleaning • Aircraft will be subjected to an enhanced cleaning regime after each sector that targets high risk surfaces such as windows, side walls, tray tables, arm rests, air vents and more • Spraying of all checked baggage with an approved disinfectant spray prior to loading and at delivery point • Sterilisation of baggage trays at security checkpoints prior to re-use.

Continuously cleaned air We are ensuring that the air you breathe on our aircraft continues to be filtered to the highest standards. All AWA aircraft are equipped with filters that remove most pollutants, including dust, bacteria and viruses, from the air circulating in the cabin. The air on board AWA aircraft is actually cleaner than the air you breathe on the ground in most circumstances.

How you can help?

While we are doing all we can to ensure your safety, we need a bit of help from you.

Get all of the latest information online at flyAfricaWorld.com

Face mask

Hands

Passport

Distance

Make sure you wear a face mask at all times, in the airport and onboard.

Sanitise your hands at touchpoints such as checkin, security and boarding to avoid crosscontamination.

When you reach the departure gates, have your passport open and boarding pass ready. Then sit back and enjoy your flight. We’ll take it from here.

When we land, observe safe distance markers through customs and baggage collection.

FLYafrica

7

INSIDER information Ghanaian gifts Shopping for a gift in Ghana’s capital can be an exciting retail experience if you let it be. Accra is a cosmopolitan city with a shopping scene bursting with cool and innovative homemade products. Whether you are after a souvenir or just want to champion Ghanaian innovation, Nathan Tollo has put together a gift guide from stores across the city.

CHOCOLATE ‘57 CHOCOLATES 57chocolategh.com Ghana is the home of cocoa; the integral ingredient used in making the world’s favourite dessert, chocolate. This ecofriendly company is run by two Ghanaian sisters who draw from the country’s folklore – using Adinkra symbols and national landmarks in designing the chocolate. Together they are raising the chocolate bar.

JEWELLERY FOR THE ANCESTORS @fortheancestors on Facebook Among this collection are rings made of gold and cowrie shells as well as Africa-shaped bracelets.

Explore the range at The Shop Accra.

NECK BIBS OPHELIA CROSSLAND opheliacrosslandgh.com Eponymous design brand Ophelia Crossland makes eye-candy neck bibs for the Afrocentric woman at heart. Inspired by the bold women in her life, Crossland celebrates these women with three types of bib that have an African touch to it. You can shop at her flagship studio in Osu or at The Lotte.

CANDLES AMBIANCE BY TALATA CANDLES bytalata.com Talata candles and diffusers are made in Accra with locally sourced natural ingredients.

The range can be purchased at department store The Lotte at Icon House, Airport City.

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BAGS VELMA’S ACCESSORIES velmasaccessories.com This luxury Ghanaian bag maker uses her ingenuity and creativity to make beaded clutches that are patterned in popular kente fabrics including the Fatia Fata Nkrumah. Making a patriotic fashion statement never looked this chic.

Find them at The Lotte, Viva Concept Store and Velma’s Boutique in Osu.

STATIONERY MEL ARTHUR PHOTO @melarthurphotog on Instagram For a beautiful and quintessentially Ghanaian gift for the home, you can order a print from fashion photographer Mel Arthur’s latest collection ‘Yesterday and Today’. It takes inspiration from the women in his family, highlighting key fashion trends from the 90s and life back in the day. Choose your print size and frame at his studio in Adenta.

SKINCARE R&R LUXURY SKINCARE RANGE randrluxury.com This Ghanaian skincare company uses Shea butter sourced from the Northern region to create beauty products that are gentle on the skin. They also make lemongrass oils, black soaps and lip balm all from unrefined natural products from Africa and have become a favourite for both locals and international tourists. R&R can be found in The Lotte and other beauty stores across Ghana.

T-SHIRTS

NINETEEN 57 @nineteen57_africa on Instagram This Pan-African brand was set up in 2013 uses iconic landmarks and the 1957 logo to create exciting T-shirts for the urban youth and the funky oldies too. Creative director and fashionista Kofi Okyere Darko makes it cool to be Ghanaian wearing these sporty Tees all over the world. The Lotte and Nineteen57’s flagship store houses these streetwear staples.

SUNGLASSES VASTIES vastiesonline.com This Ghanaian-owned sunglasses company makes some exciting frames for the melanin skin. Choose from a huge range online or go to stockists The Shop Accra and Elle Lokko.

BOOKS AND POSTERS HARMATTAN CO @harmattancollectibles on Facebook Harmattan Co prides itself in the creation of unique souvenirs inspired by the motherland. Cities, public figures and popular Ghanaians names are the source of inspiration.

You’ll always have a piece of Ghana with you this way.

Shop from Elle Lokko or The Shop Accra.

FLYafrica

9

Guitar star

Kumi Guitar has taken one of Ghana’s oldest and most-loved musical genres, highlife, and given it a modern makeover. Here he reveals to Mark Edwards how he found his voice and how musical inspiration for his songs can come at any time.

G

hanaian highlife artist Kumi

he’s stuck in traffic – which in car-

‘Betweener’, a lilting love song in

Guitar is rarely without his

crammed Accra is a regular occur-

which Kumi acts as a kind of highlife

namesake instrument. He

rence – and even takes it with him

Cyrano de Bergerac to a friend,

turns up to our interview carrying

into the bathroom, where he can

advising him on how to win back

a beautiful maroon six-string (he

disappear for hours if inspiration hits.

his girl. Critical approval has also

describes it as the “side-chick” to

“My kids know if they can’t find

followed with Kumi nominated as

the black guitar he normally records

me, I’ll be in the bathroom working

Highlife Artist of the Year at the 2018

with) and, strumming it wistfully,

on a new song,” he says. “All the

Greater Accra Music Awards and

he proceeds to sing a song about

props to Jehovah. I take inspira-

named Urban Highlife Music of the

me he has made up on the spot.

tion from the things around me and

Year at last year’s Highlife Awards.

Chances are slim this improvised

before you know it’s flowing.”

track that welcomes me to Ghana

Kumi sees these achievements as groundwork for even greater

and hopes our interview will be a

New album

“beautiful experience” will make his

The artist, who was born Nana Yaw

keen to continue to pay back the

new album due out later this year,

Kumi in Accra’s Ablekuma district, is

faith the company has showed

but I think it has got hit written all

certainly in a musical flow state right

in him.

over it.

now. He tells me he has enough

success with Zylofon and he is

He goes on to tell me the guitar

material for two albums and is in the

Collaborations

even comes with him on car journeys

middle of choosing the best of them

“Zylofon has been good to

and he’ll start playing whenever

for his debut long player for label

me,” he says. “Music is not just

Zylofon Media, the creative arts

about singing. It’s a package.

company at whose headquarters in

Your branding counts. I love

East Legon we hold the interview.

to be around creativity and

Kumi, whose music is melodious

there are lots of beautiful

mixture of highlife young and old

musicians to collaborate

with added elements of Afro-fusion,

with here [‘Brown Sugar’

was Zylofon’s first signing – a five-

features the rapping

year deal that handed the artist a

talents of labelmate

new Hyundai Sonata saloon car,

Obibini] that I can

a house in East Legon and US$

introduce to

100,000. The partnership has proved

highlife.

a commercial success, spawning hits

There is

such as ‘Brown Sugar’ and last year’s

much

I had a friend who was recording in a studio and he wanted a singer but he didn’t turn up. Out of frustration he asked me to step up 10

HIGHLIFE HERO Kumi Guitar

more to be done with Zylofon and me. I know I need to work hard and make the investment worth it.”

The key upcoming project is the new album. Fans of Kumi will recognise some of the tracks when it is released from his recent live shows.

Not surprising for a man who needs little excuse to break into song, Kumi loves playing live and sees it as one of the truest expressions of his talent.

“Live performance brings out the best of me,” he says.

“You need to make sure you are on point. It puts me on my toes. It makes me feel like I’m working.”

Kumi has been working on his music from an early age.

While he was a 16-year-old student at Adisadel, an Anglican boys’ boarding school in Cape Coast, he formed a rap group – the less-than-streetwise-sounding Chamber Hall – with three of his friends.

Finding a voice Though he could rap he found that he also had a singular singing voice when he asked to provide vocals during a recording session at aged 19.

Kumi says: “I had a friend who was recording in a studio and he wanted a singer but he didn’t turn up. Out of frustration he asked me to step up. I did it and it came out nice. I did the tenor and lower vocal parts and when I listened back to it, I thought ‘did I do this?’ I had no idea I could sing.”

FLYafrica

11

While hip hop was an early love, as he got older he began to move towards music that spoke more

not come by magic and I am still

Kumi’s profile. Along with the new

learning.”

album there are plans for a European

Soon the guitar became so synon-

tour and a string of festival dates.

about his own origins. He chose

ymous with Kumi it became part of

These plans may be affected by

highlife, which retains the melodies

his “showbiz name” given to him by

the international Covid-19 restric-

and rhythms of traditional Akan

the boss of Sugar Tone, his first label.

tions, but nothing can stop the song

music melded with more contempo-

Kumi Guitar’s first release was on a

machine that is Kumi Guitar once

rary sounds.

Sugar Tome compilation and it was

inspiration hits. Whether it’s in the

an immediate hit. “My track came out

bathroom, in his car or meeting

flying,” Kumi says.

someone new, his irrepressibly joyful

“My father was friends to many highlife musicians,” Kumi tells me.

“He would play the music of acts

The Zylofon era continues to raise

songs are always being written.

such as Paa Boateng in the car.

Highlife calling “I thought to myself if I want to make music it should be something that showed my identity. I wanted a genre of music that belonged to me as a Ghanaian. I went back to my dad’s old highlife CDs and tried to get into them.

“What drew me close from the start was the rhythms. They sounded beautiful and I felt immediately relaxed when I listened to them.”

Most of these rhythms were produced by guitars and Kumi knew that rare is the highlife star who doesn’t play the instrument so he took to learning.

“I knew I had to learn the rudiments of the guitar,” he says. “In

The stars of

Highlife

2011 I got a guitar coach, Daniel Daku, who taught me everything I know. He’s a beautiful player. It did INTERVIEW Kumi Guitar with Mark Edwards at Zylofon Studios

12

E.T Mensah Emmanuel Tettey Mensah was known as the “King of Highlife” music. He led the band The Tempos, a group that toured widely in West Africa and had hits with ‘Donkey Calypso’ and School Girl’.

Nana Acheampong Also known as Champion Lover Boy or Ernest ‘Owoahene’ Nana Acheampong (to his mum) he popularised Burger highlife (created by Ghanaians immigrants to Germany) along with Charles Kojo Fosu, aka Daddy Lumba

Paapa Yankson Benjamin Paapa Kofi Yankson recorded two dozen albums during his career.

His hit songs included “Wiase Mu Nsem”, “Show Your Love”, “Wo Yere Anaa Wo Maame”, and “Tena Menkyen

Rex Omar A Ghanaian afro-jazz and highlife singer, composer, arranger, producer and culture advocate who did much to raise the profile of highlife overseas.

C.K Mann Highlife musician and producer with a career spanning four decades. He was awarded the Grand Medal of Ghana in 2006.

Skateboarding in Ghana

Spreading the skateboarding word The pioneers of skateboarding in Ghana are taking to the road in country-wide tours to spread the word on this fun, free and fitness-building sport.

S

kateboarding is in essence surfing on land and was invented by surfers keen to keep their balance sharp on days when there was no swell.

Ghana’s nascent homegrown surfing scene has the benefit of world-class waves all-year round, warm waters and beautiful beaches, but conditions here for skateboarding are not as ideal. There are no skateparks, the quality of roads can generously be described as uneven and finding a smooth stretch of pavement is as rare as‌well, Ghanaian skateboarders.

Still, when Sandy Alibo set up social enterprise Surf Ghana, the extreme sports enthusiast was keen it would champion both surfing and skateboarding. The French national was introduced to the small group of local surfers in Busua on holiday in Ghana with friends and was as impressed by their willingness to teach others in the community and spread the sport as with their skills in the water. Drawing on contacts she had built up during her time as the action sports strategist of mobile phone company Orange back home, Alibo was able to help out by organising the importing of donated surf boards and get more villagers riding the glassy waves.

Time in Busua also introduced Alibo to the village’s skateboarding scene, which at that time began and ended with one man.

FLYafrica

13

“His name is Jacob,” Alibo tells me.

“People in the village thought he was mad and he had pretty much been rejected by everyone.”

Alibo felt for him. Her time with

from outside the country.

This was the beginning of Skate Nation with Odamtten selecting members that shared his love of his

Orange had involved hanging

skateboarding as well as his desire to

out with BMX riders, surfers and

teach others and spread the growth

skateboarders and she had seen and

of the sport in Ghana. The collec-

experienced the sense of belonging

tive’s unofficial home is the smooth

those communities offered. It was

apron of asphalt in front of the Trade

empowering. She wanted Jacob to

Fair where they set up a collection of

feel that too and set about organis-

makeshift ramps and rails for tricks.

ing a skateboarding event, inviting

“The ground is perfect for skating

other skaters from across Ghana

there and no-one kicks you out

and paying for their travel and

like the other spots so we skate in

accommodation.

comfort, any day, any time,” he says.

Among those who answered the call to come to Busua were

Skate Sundays

members of Accra skate group Skate

Odamtten can be found here up

Nation, including its founder Joshua

to five times a week, practising

Odamtten.

his tricks or teaching others – his

It’s fair to say that without the

renown is now so established he is

30-year-old Odamtten there would

able to charge for lessons for those

be no Ghana skateboarding scene.

that can afford it. Still he dispenses

Now 30, the Accra native was just

plenty of free advice and ‘Skate

entering his teens when he first saw

Sundays’ at the Trade Fair have

someone ride a skateboard in the

become a popular opportunity for

capital. Fascinated, he secured his

anyone interested in skating to come

own board through a Chinese friend

and watch some of the country’s

and set about trying to teach himself

best skaters in action, hear some

through YouTube videos.

great music from Skate Nation DJ

“I was the first person to start doing tricks on a skateboard in Accra,” he says. “I learned watch-

and manager JP Dadson and give skateboarding a try.

“We started Skate Sundays as

Joshua Odamtten is one of the best skateboarders in Ghana and has probably taught about 80 per cent of Accra’s skaters over the years

ing clips of my heroes such as

a chance for skaters from all over

[American] Chris Coles.”

just to meet, skate, compete and

Alibo is also keen to overturn

teach others,” says Odamtten. “It

notions that skateboarding is reac-

The start of a scene

has helped develop the love for the

The initial reactions among Accra

sport and gain ground and follow-

residents to the teenage Odamtten’s

ers. Exhibiting to the general public

skateboarding efforts were bemuse-

has helped to override the percep-

ment and even disdain.

tion of some that skateboarding is

He says: “Some felt I was wasting my time skating and that I am stupid to be roaming the city with a piece

dangerous.”

SHOP Skateboards are now available to buy at Decathlon’s Accra branch Image: Decathlon Ghana Limited

tionary. With the sport to be one of the events in the delayed 2021 Olympics and 85 million skateboarders worldwide, she says its outdated to think of it as rebellious and rulebreaking and the focus should be on how it can bring people together.

This was the intention behind Surf

of wood with wheels while my peers

Ghana’s first skateboarding event in

are playing football and making

Busua. Skate Nation brought around

money.”

20 of its members – it now more

The criticism didn’t bother

than 50 – and Alibo, immediately

Odamtten. He relished his outsider

recognised Odamtten’s talent on

status. “The skateboarder’s lifestyle

and off his board. She could see he

is an individual way of living,” he

would be fundamental to her plans

says. He persisted with his passion,

for the evolution of skateboarding

finding and frequenting the city’s

here and asked him to become a

best skate spots such as the prom-

board member of Surf Ghana.

enade outside the National Theatre,

14

including helping get them boards

“Joshua is the book of skateboard-

Mile 7 in Achimota and the Accra

ing,” Alibo says. “He is one of the

International Trade Fair. Other kids

best skateboarders in Ghana and has

began turning up eager to learn

probably taught about 80 per cent

and Odamtten offered guidance,

of Accra’s skaters over the years. He

competition, but is focused on your own ideas and taking a risk. Our community is strong and it celebrates street culture and art. Skaters are very open-minded.”

Most skaters are also pretty fit.

Skateboarding burns calories, is good for your heart and encourages you to work on your agility and flexibility. Alibo believes the sport could be an important tool in combatting Ghana’s public health challenges.

Fitness benefits “Research shows nearly half of Ghanaians are overweight,” says Alibo. “The country has a young

TAKING TO THE AIR A skater in action in Accra

shape, but Alibo’s bigger picture vision includes spreading the transformative effects of skateboarding

population, but you’ll find most

to more remote parts of the country

playing of sports and most sport

where recreational options are more

facilities in schools or universities.

limited and most young people have

Once you are out of education it is

never even seen a skateboard before.

difficult to get involved and there are

To this end, in 2018 she began road

no public youth centres. With skate-

trip Skate Tour GH.

boarding all you need is a board for

Skate tour

daily exercise.”

Getting your own skateboard is

“The first year we started in the

now easier and more affordable.

Western Region and visited Busua,

While Surf Ghana has overseen

Cape Three Point and Kumasi,”

the donation and delivery of 230

Alibo says. “The idea was to teach

life-changing power of skateboard-

surfboards and skateboards since

600 children to skate. We would

ing. Odamtten says there are many

it began and has long-term plans

stop randomly at schools on the

among Skate Nation who were

to produce its own affordable

street and start skating. We held

once troubled youths, but who have

made-in-Ghana skateboards, the

gained a new sense of self-worth

decision by global sporting goods

from the discipline required to learn

chain Decathlon to start selling

skills on their boards.

skateboards at its outlet in Accra’s

is an ambassador for the sport.”

The pair share a belief in the

“A lot had family and anger issues,”

pop-up skate event with DJ sets and SKATE SPOT A skater at Trade Fair in Accra

Junction Mall has upped availability

an art workshop. We would teach both boys and girls how to skate and reward the best skater with a skateboard.”

he says. “But once they stared

considerably. With prices starting at

skating their attitude has totally

GHC 250 (US$ 43), these kid-friend-

we are doing, but we always got

“Many villagers don’t know what

changed. Now they teach others and

ly boards have begun many a skate-

a warm welcome once they have

feel they are giving back to society.”

boarding journey. Decathlon has

realised we are not bandits, just cool

For her part, Alibo sees skate-

recognised the market that is there in

teenagers who want to share our

boarding as a much-needed source

the capital and along Ghana’s coastal

passion.”

of creativity and community for the

axis a skateboarding scene is taking

The following year was even

youth of Ghana, a country where more than half of the population are under 25. Scan the Surf Ghana Instagram site, which is now closing in on 8,000 followers, and you’ll find the team involved in fashion shoots, some of the country’s coolest festivals such as Chale Wote and Afrochella and teaming up with talented local artists like Art Soul Kojo, Ahmed Partey, David Alabo and Awo Tsegah.

“People seek the freedom skateboarding inspires. They are looking for a space to escape and pursue a sport that’s not about teams or

How to master your first ‘ollie’ Joshua Odamtten is one of Ghana’s best skaters – his signature trick is the very advanced half cab flip – but here he breaks down one of the simpler, but still impressive skateboarding tricks: the ollie.

• Position your front foot an inch from the front truck (that the front wheels are attached to) while ball of the back foot is placed in the middle of the tail of the board.

• Bend both knees as you get ready to jump • Press the back foot quickly down on the tail towards the ground • Drag your front foot along the board as you jump.

• Try to land with knees bent and both feet over the trucks (Remember: the higher you jump the better chance of making a good ollie) FLYafrica

15

bigger, attracting the sponsorship of skate clothing and accessories

The next big project is the creation

brand Vans, and targeting 1,000

of a skate park in Ghana. It would

children from nine villages across

be the first of its kind in West Africa

800km. There were new stop-offs

and offer, Alibo says, a safe place to

at the Volta Region’s Piki, Akosombo

practise the sport and a hub for the

and Lomé as well as return visits that

scene’s artists and other creatives.

convinced the team of the positive effect they were having.

Alibo says: “We left a skateboard

Skate park campaign It would also help to put Ghana on

behind at one village. They didn’t

the global skateboarding map and

know we were returning, but when

signal the country as skater-friendly

we arrived we found children riding

to a potentially massive tourism

it, practising a sport when there is no

market. “We want surfers and skate-

sport infrastructure.”

boarders to come here and chill with

The tour was just as life-changing

us,” Alibo says. “That connection

for the skaters who accompanied

will only improve diversity and black

Alibo. Many had never travelled

representation in these sports.”

beyond their hometowns before. For

The building of the skate park is

Odamtten it was the chance to meet

scheduled for early 2021 but the

new communities of skaters such as

campaign has been running for close

those in Lomé on the Togo border

to two years now and Alibo admits

and in Kumasi, where the donation

they are still looking for land and

of 20 skateboards by Alibo helped

partners and for their crowdfunding

in setting up Troop Skateboarding

scheme is still shy of its target.

Club.

Odamtten is excited about the

“Getting to travel and meet new

prospect of the park, but he realises

faces and teach them skateboarding

there is much work still to be done.

is such fun,” he says.

“The campaign for the skate park

This year’s tour – which was due

“It needs total commitment from

d’Ivoire and create a DIY skate park

individuals to make that dream come

near Lake Bosomtwi – has had to

through.”

pandemic. Alibo is still hoping it will

Surf Ghana in numbers

230

Sports equipment collected and donated

2,000

Children trained in skateboarding and surfing

15

Sports and cultural events per year

8,491

Fans and supporters on Instagram @surfghana

SKATEBOARD START Youngsters get their first skateboarding lessons on Skate Tour GH

as skateboarding involves many falls before a trick is perfected, they know how important it is to put in the time.

As Odamtten says: “The challenges that come with skateboarding are what appeal to me most.”

SKATE CREW The scene is growing

has not been an easy one,” he says.

to visit Tamale, Wa and the Côte

be postponed due to the Covid-19

16

happen before the end of the year

He and Alibo will keep pushing to make the skate park a reality. Just

To contribute to the campaign to build Ghana ‘s first skatepark, go to Surf Ghana’s GoFundMe site Follow the latest Surf Ghana events at its Instagram page.

To help fund the work of Skate Nation, visit its website at skatenationgh.org To watch or take part in Skate Sundays, head to Trade Fair in Labadi, Accra, on any Sunday afternoon.

Skate Gal Club While Ghana’s skateboarding scene has a few very talented women skaters, Alibo (right) noticed that the vast majority were men. She has made sure that the skate tours target just as many girls as boys at the schools they visit, but she also wanted to give girls their own space and chance to shine.

She says: “Skate Gal Club is a series of events that celebrate women.

Women can be shy about skating in front of men when they know they are beginners. These women-only sessions are more comfortable and not about competition. There is also the chance to talk about women entrepreneurship or art and every event has a guest speaker.

“It’s a sisterhood and the push many women need. Having these women around me make me stronger to face all these men – most men think women don’t have a seat in the sports industry.

We are launching a big movement – bigger than us”

WINafrica Win a month’s free membership at Ghana’s biggest gym Now more than ever it’s important to keep to a regular fitness routine and stay healthy. To get you started we are offering an amazing chance to win a free month’s membership at Fitrip, in Accra.

It’s Ghana’s biggest gym and offers a huge range of fitness options for all levels and interests. Studio classes range from spinning, through fight aerobics to azonto dance.

FLYafrica competition You’ll also find a boxing and martial arts studio, a squash court, a huge resistance machine and free weight area and Ghana’s only CrossFit-affiliated gym, 233 CrossFit. Fitrip is an inclusive place, welcoming everyone on their fitness journey. You’ll find expert help from the team of gym instructors and personal trainers as well as plenty of encouragement from your fellow members to ensure you enjoy and stick to your workouts.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, answer the three questions below and send them along with a picture of yourself holding issue 8 of FLYafrica to awacompetition@landmarine.org Good luck!

QUESTIONS 1. What is the name of the women-only skateboarding collective set up by Sandy Alibo?

2. What was the name of the band Kumi Guitar formed with his school friends?

3. Which singer broke attendance records at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale for his album launch?

COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Closing date is 12 November. 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, Fitrip or Land & Marine Publications Ltd.

CONGRATULATIONS WELL DONE TO LAST ISSUE’S WINNER EMMANUEL BOTCHWAY Emmanuel and a friend will soon be enjoying a two-night break at Hillburi, a beautiful resort in the Akwapim Mountains. Emmanuel, we hope you enjoy your stay and thank you for flying Africa World Airlines.

Book online

ER N IN W

Emmanuel Botchway

flyAfricaWorld.com FLYafrica

17

STAR DESTINATION

Tamale

18

Sura Nualpradid / Shutterstock.com

Neja Hrovat / Shutterstock.com

fivepointsix / Shutterstock.com

Tamale, the fastest-growing city in West Africa, is a vibrant mass of mosques, markets and mapukas (motorycles). The capital of the Northern Region has been transformed with tall modern buildings now dominating the skyline, but the traditional mud huts with their conical straw roofs of the many ethnic groups that congregate here can still be found to the east.

SAFARI TOURS Elephants in Mole National Park STAND OUT Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque ZSM | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-3.0

No building can escape the

handicrafts of the Northern

dusty residue of the Harmattan

and Savannah Regions such

dry desert wind that blows eight

as kente weaving, ceramics,

months of the year up here. It

mask making, carpentry and

may make washing your car a

leatherware are great to browse

rather pointless task, but it does

for souvenirs. At around 5pm

give Tamale some otherworldly

most days a traditional dance

hazy sunsets that bring beauty

troupe rehearse and perform in

to the city’s bustle. Here’s your

the centre’s open-air square. It’s

need-to-know guide.

free to watch.

TRAVEL: AWA flies every

DO: As Northern Ghana’s trade

day of the week from its hub

hub, Tamale’s markets draw

at Accra’s Kotoka International

sellers from across the region

Airport to Tamale Airport

and even abroad. The Central

with up to seven flights each

Market, located, as you’d

day between the two cities.

expect in the middle of the city,

For more flight details, prices

is a maze of stalls where you

and to make a booking, visit

can buy fabric, fresh produce

flyafricaworld.com

(including the most amazing

SEE: The King’s Palace. A vast

mangoes) and huge blocks of pure, unrefined shea butter.

mix of ethnic tribes have been drawn to the economic hub

It’s possible to experience

of Tamale and their unofficial,

Ghana’s largest wildlife reserve,

cross-tribal leader is the

Mole National Park, as a day

Dakpena, who resides amid the

trip from Tamale. Game drives

mud fortifications of his own

head into the park’s savannah

palace on the eastern outskirts

and forest space – which

of the city. It’s an incredible

contain elephants, buffalo,

looking compound and worth

hippos, leopards and rare

a visit.

birds such as the white-backed

Tamale’s population is largely

and late afternoon so make sure

Muslim and there are several

you time your three-hour drive

interesting mosques around

from Tamale to catch one.

town, notably on Bolgatanga Road. The stand-out is the Ahmadiyya mosque with its crenelated walls giving the pristine white structure a lace-

vulture – in the early morning

Kukuo is one of the developed suburbs of Tamale, though it used to be a village. It is known for its pottery industry, an

like delicacy.

occupation almost exclusively

Take time to explore the

Excursions can be arranged

National Cultural Centre.

to see the women at work

While its central cavernous

moulding the clay pots and

concert hall is rarely used, the

the firing them under a shell of

shops and artist studios that

straw. Kukuo women also take

surround it and which showcase

the lead in collecting shea nuts

done by local women.

before grinding, roasting and extracting the oil to produce the shea butter Northern Ghana is internationally famous for.

EAT: In thriving Tamale, new restaurants are popping up all the time, but one of the most impressive has to be Luxury Restaurant with its rooftop setting, array of banquettes and sofas to lounge on and a delicious menu of fresh, healthy dishes and fruit juices. It’s the perfect spot to take in a Harmattan sunset.

Restaurant and music venue Bernard’s Takeout has expanded to open a second, larger establishment on Airport Road. The food is top notch and the venue attracts some of the best local DJs for its weekend club nights.

SLEEP: Africa Dream Hotel is a welcoming bed and breakfast with rooms opening out onto a pretty garden, which provides a welcome lush oasis amid arid Tamale. The family-friendly Hotel Zosimli is a little further out of town, but has its own outdoor pool and restaurant.

FLYafrica

19

AWArepatriation flights AWA helps fly stranded Brazilians home Africa World Airlines (AWA) was honoured to assist the Brazilian Embassy in Ghana to repatriate Brazilian citizens stranded throughout West Africa due to travel restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In July we operated simultaneous special charter flights to bring Brasilians from Dakar, in Senegal; Bissau in GuineaBissau; Lagos, Nigeria; and Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso to our hub at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. From here they connected onwards to Recife and then Campinas in Brazil on a special flight operated by Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras.

The team effort meant that the repatriated Brazilians were able to reunite with friends and family. AWA was commended for its efforts in an official letter from the embassy as well as a Twitter post from Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who applauded the “bom trabalho” (good work).

Ajuda para nossos amigos do Brasil!

Book online 20

flyAfricaWorld.com

Alexiglam HOW TO RETAIN

FLAWLESS

SKIN ON YOUR FLIGHT

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

A

ll you beauty warriors here.... this one’s for you.

Now that we can see

Use a toner to hydrate the skin and close pores. I recommend TM Essential Hydro Splash Spray (pour a

a return to some type of new

small amount into a travel size spray

normalcy, the thought of a holiday

bottle and use this to hydrate your

trip never seemed so alluring. Here’s

skin all through your flight)

how to look your glamorous best from takeoff to touchdown.

Before you leave for the Airport Give your face a deep cleanse. Skin

Next apply a moisturizing serum to your face; allow it to penetrate the skin fully for about two to three minutes. I personally love The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5.

Apply an eye cream to soothe

Gourmet’s Tea Tree Black Soap is

and nourish the under eye area. Try

a good natural soap that also helps

Elizabeth Arden’s Visible Difference

fight any inflammation on the skin.

Moisturizing Eye Cream

Use an exfoliator such a

Carry-on beauty must-haves: Pack these travel-sized beauty items into a small clear pouch: • Hand sanitiser / sanitising wipes • Hydrating spray • Moisturising shea butter lip balm • Shea butter nourishing hand cream • A clear sealable bag with a set of unused masks and gloves.

Finally apply a moisturizer to

Hibiscus Tea Tree Scrub to gently

keep your skin, plump and hydrated.

Shop these items and more on my page on Instagram

scrub your face; this will prepare it

You’ll love the Nuban Beauty

@alexiglam and website www.alexiglam.com. Follow

for the next step.

Hydrating Base.

my personal beauty journey @alexandrinamakeup FLYafrica

21

Sweet sisters leading a chocolate revolution in Ghana

22

Sisters Kimberly and Priscilla Addison are the founders of ’57 Chocolate, a Ghanaian brand using the country’s world-famous cocoa beans to make luxury handmade chocolate that looks as good as it tastes and which celebrates Ghanaian art and culture. Here’s all you need to know about this sweet start-up that is proving premium chocolate is not the preserve of Europe.

The chocolate could not be more Ghanaian if it tried…

were from Ghana, the second largest

Every step of the sisters’ chocolate-

“Switzerland is known as a chocolate

making process is steeped in their

nation,” Kim explained. “However, they

homeland. The cocoa beans are

do not grow cocoa at all. A majority of

sourced from farms in Ghana’s Eastern

their beans are Ghanaian beans.”

Region then sorted and roasted before

cocoa producing country in the world.

She shared her vision with her sister

being ground by machine into a liquid

and together they hatched a plan to

chocolate. This is then smoothed and

add value to these local resources and

moulded in the small factory the sisters

produce chocolate that was compara-

set up in the family home in the Accra

ble to top European brands in quality,

neighbourhood of East Legon. For the

but was unmistakably African.

bite-sized collection, the chocolate is

Ghanaian aphorism – which form the

The sisters started small.

Their first factory was the family kitchen…

shape of the finished 10 gram bar. Even

In 2014, Priscilla and Kim left their Swiss

the flavourings, such as hibiscus and

jobs and returned to the family home

toasted coconut, are home sourced. The

in Accra set on pursuing their choco-

packaging, too, is fiercely patriotic from

late-making dream. For the next two

the ’57 Chocolate name, celebrating

years, the pair of university graduates,

the country’s year of independence, to

who Kimberly admits “had no back-

the national landmarks, such as Accra’s

ground in chocolate making”, set about

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial and Cape

researching the market. They attended

Coast Castle, on the label of each bar.

a chocolate making class together in

poured into ‘Adinkra’ symbol moulds – each one representing a traditional

The inspiration for the venture came from the home of chocolate (for now) – Switzerland…

the UK and Kimberly worked as an apprentice at factories in the UK and in Switzerland before they felt ready to launch ’57 Chocolate. It literally was the two of them to begin with, using

As children of parents who worked in international development, the sisters have had a global upbringing with extended periods in Senegal, the US and Switzerland. While living and working in Geneva, Kimberly went on a factory tour of Swiss chocolate maker Maison Cailler.

While the chocolate was delicious it came as a surprise to her that the cocoa beans used to make the chocolate

FLYafrica 23

their mother’s stove in the kitchen

own chocolate.” Taste, however,

signature teas if they choose. Kim

to roast the sun-dried cocoa beans

is always paramount, even if that

is keen to increase capacity even

for their chocolate. Such humble

means discounting a sugar-free

further and reveal the chocolate-

beginnings proved, as Kimberly says,

option. “We did try out a chocolate

making process to tour groups. “I

“you can do it alone” and gave the

sweetened with Stevia,” Kimberly

would have us move to a bigger

pair the opportunity to be exact-

says. “It was horrendous. I’d rather

factory where people could actu-

ing with their standards. “We trial

come up with a sugar-free chocolate

ally do tours and where we would

tested on ourselves and family and

that people enjoy for the taste and

hopefully also be holding classes,”

friends,” Priscilla adds. “We would

not just for the health purposes.”

she says. “Sort of like a Willy Wonka

never send out a product we don’t

[The sisters have a sugar-free choco-

experience. We’d like to have a

like ourselves.” Initial supplies were

late they are very happy with set for

factory in every cocoa-growing

made to order for corporate events

release soon.]

nation in West Africa.”

The venture channels the ‘can-do’ spirit of independence…

Cultivating a chocolate culture in Ghana…

The Addison sisters came up with

the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, at

the name ’57 Chocolate as they

branches of Baa & Bean in the capital

The Addison sisters are united in

wanted their brand to recapture the

and they provide ideal souvenirs for

their drive to make ’57 Chocolate a

spirit of hope and opportunity for

chocolate lovers from across the

success, but they have their differ-

homegrown businesses that met

world at Wild Gecko Handicrafts at

ences, even down to their taste in

the dawn of Ghana’s independence.

Kotoka International Airport.

chocolate – Priscilla prefers the 55

Both sisters are far too young to

per cent milk chocolate variety with

remember that time, but they know

the allure of chocolate is something

almond and sea salt while Kim’s

their history. Priscilla says: “We want

new. The sisters have taken it upon

favourite is 73 per cent dark with sea

to re-inspire this awakening by being

themselves to sensitise Ghanaians

salt. Priscilla says: “It’s great to find

a business that adds value to local

to a quality chocolate culture by

someone with equal drive. It makes

resources. Our first president Kwame

organising tasting sessions and visit-

it so much easier than doing it alone.

Nkrumah started this movement. At

ing schools to explain the chocolate

We have very different strengths and

one time Ghana had a growing dairy

making process.

weaknesses, which helps our busi-

industry and dairy farms.”

and weddings.

The sisters are a great team, but each bring their own flavour to the company…

Still, among everyday Ghanaians

As well as creating jobs for more

To explore the full range of ’57

aspects and attention to detail. She

Ghanaians to be part of their journey

Chocolate products, place an

is always seeking to improve produc-

– four years in ’57 Chocolate now has

order and book a group tasting

tion. I tend to focus on the artistic

a team of eight overseeing produc-

session, visit 57chocolategh.com

side. Kim is more technical.”

tion of around 1,000 chocolate bars

ness. Kim is stronger on the technical

Kim says: “Priscilla’s strengths lie in

a week to cope with its growing

marketing our products and creating

network of customers at home and

brand awareness. Where we work

abroad – the sisters hope to inspire

really well together and with our

more young budding entrepreneurs

team as a whole is the creative and

to start their own businesses and,

artistic side of the business.”

as Kim says, “show what Ghana is

This is chocolate you won’t feel bad about eating…

24

You can find the luxury chocolates at

capable of”.

The ’57 chocolate range, especially

Becoming the Willy Wonkas of Ghana chocolate…

the 73 per cent dark variety packs

Producing chocolate in the family

in plenty of antioxidant-rich cocoa

kitchen was never going to keep

with little in the way of sugar. The

pace with growing demand led by

sisters also avoid additives where

word of mouth from happy custom-

possible throughout the range. “We

ers and the sisters’ strong social

try to keep the cocoa in its truest

media profile. A small chocolate-

form. We don’t add a lot of sugar.”

making factory was built next to

says Priscilla. “We always wanted

the family home which upped

to create a reputable high-quality

production and allowed the sisters

chocolate that contains no preserva-

to organise tasting events for group

tives and no additives. We didn’t

bookings. Visitors can taste test the

want to feel bad about eating our

’57 Chocolate range and pair it with

PATRIOTIC PACKAGING Scenes include Makola Market and the Wli waterfalls

FLYafrica has its own life coach! Da Lady Rev is a pastor, radio presenter, author and motivational speaker and each issue will be helping FLYafrica readers excel in all areas of their life. She begins with how to recognise when it is time to move on in a relationship.

We work really well together and with our team as a whole on the creative and artistic side of the business

Not every relationship ends up with verbal break-up. Some end up with action so if you sit down hoping to repair something that is dead, you’ll end up wasting your time.

These are some principles that let you know it’s time for a change.

When communication is dead. Communication is physical and emotional.

Physical communication is dead when the two of you cannot have even a couple of minute’s conversation.

Emotional communication is the point in your life when you feel like asking your partner questions because they don’t react in the way they used to.

If we have that cord broken, it tells us it is time to move on.

When there is no commitment. Relationships are supposed to be between two people. When you find out he/she is still holding on to a past relationship with another person, it’s time you move on. Be bold, pack your things, put value on yourself and go.

FLAVOURS Choose from dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, mocha latte and bissap

When you find out they wanted you for what you are and not who you are. When your partner likes you because of your profession, money, car or your achievement and never because of who you are without those things then there is no guarantee they are going to be there forever.

When there are too many excuses. The relationship gets to a point where your partner always has an excuse not to call you, visit you or when there’s excuse for everything that is done or not done right.

Love deals with situations; it doesn’t come with too many excuses.

When it is getting violent.

No Matter what, when a partner begins to be violent with you, pack up and leave. You can get angry but not to the extent of using heels on the head of your partner or slapping her whenever there’s disagreement.

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

FLYafrica 25

Dancers hope to make leap to a new life He’s inspired by a cheesy 20-year-old romantic film and learned his craft through YouTube videos, but in just two years Daniel Owoseni has trained students at his ballet academy in one of the most under-privileged neighbourhoods in Lagos to such a standard that the world is taking notice.

T

he rain is pouring down, collecting in puddles on an unsurfaced road in Lagos’

Ajangbani district, but it doesn’t seem to bother Anthony Mmesoma Madu. The 11-year-old ballet student is focused on his dancing, pirouetting in the puddles and performing soaring leaps, taking off on one bare foot and splashing down on the other. It’s a study in poise and focus oblivious to the harsh surroundings.

When the video of Madu’s dance was released on Instagram, it went viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of views around the world with Hollywood actresses Cynthia Erivo

26

Images courtesy of leapofdanceacademy

and Viola Davis among those moved

scholarship for Madu to come to

by what they saw. Oscar-winner

the US to train next year and in the

Davis shared it on her Twitter page,

meantime is providing him with an

saying it captured: “the beauty of my

online tutor to hone his skills.

people. We create, soar… despite the

The online training was also

brutal obstacles that have been put

extended to the man responsible

in front of us! Our people can fly!”

for instilling Madu’s love of ballet in

Mentors

Nigeria, Daniel Owoseni. Madu is one of a dozen students between the

Madu’s moves also so impressed the

ages of six and 15 at Owoseni’s Leap

global Grishko brand of handmade

of Dance Academy.

point shoes and dance clothing it

Ballet is a very highly disciplined art and dancers don’t only use it in class but throughout one’s life

Owoseni set up the academy in

provide for your family. The academy DISCIPLINE Dancers at the barre

offers something beyond the grind to survive – an avenue of selfexpression and self-belief – but also a fortitude to take on life’s challenges.

appointed Colombian ballet dancer

2017 in Afromedia Ajanbani in Oju,

and soloist Fernando Montaño to

Lagos, and it offers far more to

highly disciplined art and dancers

Owoseni says: “Ballet is a very

be his mentor while Cynthia Harvey,

pupils than just free training in ballet.

don’t only use it in class but

the artistic director of the ABT

Ajanbani is a peaceful, low-income

throughout one’s life. Our students

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School

neighbourhood where childhood

carry themselves differently, they

of Dance in New York, arranged a

is often truncated by the need to

carry themselves with a sense of

FLYafrica 27

distinguished character and pride,

limited resources,” he says. “In Save

with elegance and people notice that

the Last Dance, I saw the dedication

when they walk down the street.”

and commitment it takes to do this

Such distinguishing deportment is

do this. My go-to source of teach-

the students out when the academy

ing was YouTube videos and Google

first opened. Then Owoseni strug-

searches, which gave me the best

gled to get five students for his

understanding I could get then.

classes amid criticism among parents

“I had it in mind to take dance seri-

in the neighbourhood that dancing

ously and when I was at university, I

was just a distraction from school-

had more exposure, but that was in

work, would encourage laziness and

African dance. When I finished my

was even indecent. However, the

time with the National Youth Service

Lagos University graduate with a

Corps (NYSC) in 2016 I was running

lifelong love of dancing is living proof

an outreach dance programme and

that ballet and academic learning

that prepared me to begin work with

can coexist.

the academy.

“I was able to convince them by

“When I was looking for a name

being different, showing them not all

for the academy, I remembered my

dancers are loafers,” Owoseni says.

background and that I had to take a

“I told them I am a graduate of busi-

step or a leap that was not consid-

ness administration, which that gave

ered to be possible. It wasn’t just any

them a different approach instantly,

leap but a leap into dance and not

seeing their children can still make

just any dance but ballet.”

good grades and dance also.

Taking a leap into dance

With the Leap of Dance Academy, Owoseni wants to give his students opportunities he didn’t have when he

“We organised a programme

was their age, but at the same time

called Sit and Read for our kids to

he is looking for a quality in them

read their regular school work and

that he can’t teach.

we assist them to get good grades

“Our students are selected with or

in school. This also convinced

no prior training,” he says. “Anyone

the parents their kids are in good

can dance, but you get your place

hands.”

here once you show commitment

Owoseni knows Oju well. The 29-year-old was born and raised

and dedication.”

The dozen current students have

here, in fact the classes at the

that drive to improve. Madu has

academy – which does not currently

grabbed the headlines, but his video

have a permanent home – take place

going viral has also raised global

outside of Owoseni’s house or in a

awareness of the depth of talent at

small nearby room when the weather

the academy.

is bad. He knows how difficult it is to

HIGH LEVEL Daniel Owoseni with students from the Leap of Dance Academy

here and we are hopeful for the future of dance in Africa.”

Owoseni has done wonderfully well to get his students to such a high level in just two years of training, but the recent rise in profile

pursue a career in dance when you

Amazing opportunities

live here. Central Lagos has a few

“Many amazing opportunities have

renowned teachers offering to lend a

dance schools, but they are private

been presented to us now,” says

hand. With the covid travel restric-

and prohibitively expensive for most

Owoseni. “Our students have trained

tions most now are sharing their

residents.

and continue to train at a high-

skills through online workshops. “We

quality level so that when opportuni-

have many guest teachers coming

When Owoseni was in Year 9 at

28

kind of art and I told myself I want to

in contrast to the stigma that singled

High School and first fell in love with

ties like this arise, they will be ready

ballet watching the hit US film Save

to travel and take their talent and

the Last Dance about an aspiring

hard work abroad. We have many

ballerina, he knew it was down to him

scholarship opportunities around the

if he wanted to follow his dream.

world and we are very grateful. As

“I am self-taught and that has

for Nigeria we are at the forefront of

inspired me to learn more despite

making a name for dance and ballet

for the academy has seen world-

We will be putting a website up where we will start raising funds to build our own dance school for the kids

Ballet basics Getting started in ballet? Here are the three moves beginners have to master first. plie (plee-ay): to bend. Keeping both feet flat on the floor at all times, bend your knees.... releve (ruh-leh-vay’): the dancer rises up onto the balls of their feet saute (soh-tay): any jump on two feet landing on two feet.

in,” says Owoseni. the upcoming

“Once our academy is established

months to teach some workshops.

as an NGO, we will be putting a

Our current teachers online are Kat

website up where we will start raising

Wildish, Linda Hurkmans and Mary

funds to build our own dance school

Hubbs from the Ballet Academy East

for the kids,” he says. “Recently, we

in New York.”

have gained the support of many,

International interest There has been some financial

which will put together resources for the students.”

It looks like this dedication and

support for the academy in the past

commitment is paying off for

in the form of small private donations

Owoseni and his pupils, who can be

and the students are kitted out for

spotted in Ajangbani – the ones who

free in new and donated dancewear

hold their heads a little higher, their

from international not-for-profit

backs a little straighter and keep

organisation Travelling Tutus, but

their eyes on their dance dream.

Owoseni hopes to channel this increased international interest into

For more information,

funding for a permanent home for

visit the Instagram page

the academy.

@leapofdanceacademy

FLYafrica 29

Tune in to Tamale

THE MUSIC CAPITAL OF GHANA Time was when music from Tamale artists was rarely heard beyond Ghana’s Northern Region, but the countrywide success of acts such as Fancy Gadam and Maccasio has led to the spotlight being shone on the thriving and culturally crucial music scene here. Mark Edwards gets a guide to the new names from the north.

A

mong the tall structures

who has just released his fourth

that punctuate the skyline

album, ‘Zero 2 Hero’ to great acclaim,

of the Northern Region’s

have a strong national following.

rapidly expanding capital Tamale are the masts of the eleven FM radio

of this city’s music industry to the

stations operating in the city.

amount of airtime Tamale music

Day and night, they broadcast

available is Duah Anthony Akwesi.

The 24-year-old is also known around town as DJ Ephya and is a regular presence behind the decks at the hottest club nights in the city.

We meet on a baking Friday

gets on the radio here. Among the

afternoon at Tamale restaurant

the latest sounds of a vibrant local

city’s radio stations championing

and weekend night club Bernard’s

music scene that is attuned to the

local music is Fiila FM. It was the

Takeout. Aside from a few brave

diverse tribal traditions of the region

second private radio station to set

souls sweating away in the gym –

as well as more modern movements

up in Tamale and has been now been

yes, it also has a gym, Bernard is a

of Afropop, dancehall, hiplife and

broadcasting across the city for 17

hip-hop.

years.

Once marginalised in favour of

TAMALE HEROES Maccasio and Fancy Gadam

keen bodybuilder – we are the only ones here, but the place will comes to life tonight as Tamale’s bright

the music coming out of Accra and

Fiila FM

the south coast, the whole country

About two thirds of its output is

line-up of DJs, including Ephya, spin

is now waking up to the Tamale

talk shows, discussing politics and

the tunes. Ephya means Friday-

sound. Shatta Wale, one of the most

community matters, but the rest is

born in Twi and the DJ lives for the

popular and commercially success-

given over to music with the empha-

weekend club nights, but he says the

ful artists in the capital, released a

sis on songs by local artists. One of

moniker was given to him because

song, ‘Tamale’, in 2017 praising the

the station’s most popular shows,

it is a girl’s name and supposedly

strength of the city’s musical culture

hosted by DJ Carlos, consists entirely

suited the gentle and softly spoken

and high profile local artists such as

of music of Tamale origin.

Akwesi. Opposition was pointless, he

Fancy Gaddam, who this year was

30

Many have attributed the success

TASTEMAKERS DJs are spreading the word on new Tamale music

Among the station’s team of

named Best Afrobeat Entertainer at

sound engineers who do much

the International Reggae and World

to ensure the weekly playlist

Music Awards, and rapper Maccasio,

reflects the diversity of new music

young things come to party and a

says. “The more you try to stop it the more it spreads.”

As ever, there will be plenty of tracks from local artists in DJ Ephya’s

set-list tonight. “Anytime I drop a track from a Tamale artist it gets a huge response from the crowd,” he says. “Tamale people love melody.

It’s part of our culture and you can’t escape it in our music. It’s instantly recognisable.”

Remixes The DJ likes to play his own remixes of local artists to, he says, “distinguish myself from others”. His efforts often get back to the original artists and Maccasio recently gave his seal of approval to a DJ Ephya twist on one of his tracks.

Local bloggers and local artists bring their music into us and some send their audio in through WhatsApp

There is plenty of homegrown music for DJ Ephya to choose from.

Music has been key to life here for centuries when early settlers the Dagbamba tribe used it as a form of emotional expression and interaction. Modern Tamale has harnessed the region’s musical creativity and heritage as part of its cosmopolitan development. There are now public music studios such as Blue Beats,

CLUB FAVOURITE DJ Ephya

FLYafrica

31

Web Studios, Carlos Entertainment to record in and the city’s youth are creating their own local informal music industry by using readily available music production tools and sharing music and inspiration online.

Tamale tastemaker As a DJ and radio sound engineer,

Fancy Gadam broke records at the launch of his ‘Dream’ album when 15,000 of his loyal fans – known as the Gadam Nation – watched him at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium

DJ Ephya – who started DJing

FM goes out every day from 10am to 12pm and features traditional music performed live in the studio or captured in field recordings on visits to the tribal villages. Recent shows have included Dagbon hunting songs, acapella singing and some intense drumming sessions.

professionally five years ago after

in from 4pm to 12am to catch the

Tradition and innovation

working on his scratching and mixing

latest releases.

You can hear echoes of those drum

skills in his bedroom – has become

The majority of that music would

beats in many hiplife songs and the

a sort of Tamale tastemaker, sifting

be classed as hiplife, a musical genre

ties that bind traditional and modern

through the latest releases and

which fuses traditional Ghanaian

styles here mean music means a

showcasing the best in his live shows

music with hip-hop and reggae.

great deal to both young and old.

and on the radio. “Local bloggers

The popularity of such a hybrid

Musicians such as rapper Nandos

and local artists bring their music

musical genre in Tamale is telling. As

the Dagbandoo and singer Dabba

into us and some send their audio in

DJ Ephya tells it: “Here in the north

Lamaley have experimented with

through WhatsApp” he says. “All Fiila

if the melody is good, we jump to it.

blending traditional Dagbdon instru-

FM’s sound engineers are always

We don’t care where it came from.

ments to produce genre-blending

catching up with new music.

We don’t know the language of salsa

“Even if a DJ decides not to play your music, you can put it on social

but we move to it.”

The inclusivity of modern musical

TAMLE FAN Shatta Wale

music. In May, Fancy Gadam, who when he won the Best New Artist at the 2017 Ghana Music Awards visited

media and get people to start

tastes in Tamale extends to an

the palace of Tamale’s traditional

listening to it. There’s nothing to

appreciation and encouragement

chief the Naa Dakpema as a sign of

stop it.”

of traditional music. The city is a

respect, released the single ‘Corona’,

multi-ethnic melting pot with many

sung in Dagbani, to promote the

Fiila FM’s output brings in the older

different tribes having been drawn to

need for self-hygiene during the

listeners, Tamale’s fervent fan base

the economic trading hub with by far

virus outbreak.

of young music lovers know to tune

the largest being the Dagomba. One

While the talk show portion of

32

of the most popular shows on Fiila

DJ Ephya believes the Tamale

Still nowhere shows Fancy Gadam love quite like his hometown. The ‘Ma Baby’ singer broke records at the launch of his ‘Dream’ album in October last year when 15,000 of his loyal fans – known as the Gadam Nation – watched him perform at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.

Record-breaking concert It was an unforgettable night for the city and one which DJ Ephya kept going until the early hours, playing in a club packed with punters fresh from the concert who did not want the celebrations to end. “You had to be there,” he says.

The stadium was almost, but not quite, as full when Stonebwoy played live a couple of months later and Maccasio has also brought huge crowds to the venue. It also has hosted the Northern Ghana Music music scene’s ability to join the dots

uploading a pool of local music to be

between many different forms of

accessed by DJs across the country.

music and singing in local dialects

Their work is certainly being helped

adds to its depth and uniqueness

by crossover local artists such as

but that it has also been its undoing

Fancy Gadam, whose amazing

in the north”, says DJ Ephya and

in getting recognition from the

dance moves and blend of Afropop

their appeal and by extension that

Afrobeat-loving south of the country

and hiplife, have brought him huge

of the city is growing across Ghana.

and in international markets.

success across the country. In

Tamale’s time in the spotlight is

Ghana, nothing shows you’ve made

revealing the depth of musical talent

“Ghana is huge and you can’t just do

it quite like becoming the brand

here and DJ Ephya believes there are

music for us. Tamale artists are doing

ambassador of a soft drink. Fancy

plenty more stars of the future to be

their best to compete. They have

Gadam has followed Stonebwoy

unearthed here. In his DJ sets he is

always done the heavy promotion in

and Shatta Wale into the market by

currently playing to death ‘Monica’,

the north, but now they are pushing

becoming the face of the caffeine-

the latest release from local hero

down to the south on radio tours.”

packed Rasta Choco Malt. He has

Sapashini, and he says there are

also played shows across the Upper

many more where he came from.

doing their bit to spread the word

West, Ashanti and Greater Accra

The future is bright, the future is

on Tamale artists by working on

regions.

Tamale.

“Language is a barrier,” he says.

Ephya and other local DJs are

DJ Ephya’s top five tracks from Tamale artists

Mangbuni The Boy

by Fadlan

by Maccasio

DJ EPHYA The future is Tamale

Awards for the past five years, with Wa-born singer Samini headlining the last event.

These Tamale stars “are reigning

Fara

by Fancy Gadam ft Kofi Kinaata

Monica

by Sapashini

Sister

by DJ Flex ft Fadlan

FLYafrica 33

Laila putting Ghana on the

CrossFit map Even the fittest in the world have had to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic. The annual grand event of ‘the sport of fitness’, the CrossFit Games, in Wisconsin, US, will now take place without the usual thousands of cheering fans and without much of its international contingent of contenders. This is especially heartbreaking for Laila Zangwio, who had been set to be the first person to represent Ghana at the Games. Mark Edwards reveals how the former triathlete had to have a crash course in CrossFit to make it to the Games and how losing the chance to compete on the world stage has only sharpened her desire to improve in the sport and come back stronger at next year’s event.

L

aila Zangwio’s morning alarm is set for 5am. The 26-year-old never hears it, though, because

Laila and Eugene joining the other members of Ghana’s masochistic

she gets up at 4.58am every day and

fitness community in running up the

is out of bed to switch it off before

eye-wateringly steep Aburi hill.

it has a chance to ring. The Accraborn athlete’s body is attuned to her

Being a beginner again

mission – to represent her country at

Fitrip is one of Accra’s newest gyms

the CrossFit Games – and that requires an early start to attack the day’s training regime.

By 5.30am she is at the Fitrip gym in Accra’s Dworzulu district to begin the morning’s weightlifting session alongside training partner Eugene Abraham, a Fitrip personal trainer and promising CrossFit athlete with ambitions to make the Games in the future.

Once the morning session is complete, Laila heads to her job as assistant to the athletics director at the private Lincoln Community School in the capital. By 5pm she will be back at Fitrip for more training, this time with the emphasis on conditioning and gymnastics. She rarely leaves before 9pm. This is the drill six days a week. Only on Sunday does it vary, 34

when at 6.30am you’ll find both

– it opened at the start of last year –

GHANA’S BIGGEST GYM Fitrip in Accra and (right) Laila at 233 CrossFit

and the only one in the country to be CrossFit affiliated. It is fantastically well appointed with facilities including a squash court, an MMA and boxing mezzanine floor, a spin studio and a free weights and resistance machines area, but Laila focuses her work in the gym’s CrossFit ‘box’. Here there are climbing ropes, pull-up bars, barbells and plenty of floor space for the sport’s hybrid test of total fitness.

background is triathlons, a sport she excelled in, becoming Ghana’s female champion seven times over and coming third at the 2019 African championship and fourth at the same year’s World Championships in her age group.

Still, when Fitrip manager Houssam Hamidi introduced Laila to her first CrossFit class in June 2019 what

Laila first turned up at Fitrip in the hope

appealed most was the feeling of

of landing a job as a trainer, but the visit

being a beginner again. The innately

transformed Laila’s athletic journey. Her

competitive Laila relished this new

I’ve come from an endurance background,” she says. “So the long, conditioning workouts feel comfortable, but I had never done weightlifting before…”

Images: Mark Edwards

wanted to come back and ensure I could do it. I was back the following day.”

challenge. The class was a testing mixture of box jumps, double-unders (an advanced skipping technique in which the rope passes under your feet twice with each jump) and barbell cleans. None of the movements were familiar to Laila, but the innate competitor in her wanted to get better straight away.

“I couldn’t lift the weight and couldn’t do double-unders,” she remembers.

“It was so tough. I went home and for the first time I felt I was challenged. I

Triathlon is a solitary sport and Laila had to self-support her ambitions, becoming her own trainer and getting herself to events.

CrossFit family By contrast, she was also immediately taken by the community of CrossFit. Everyone in her class encouraged each other and bonded in the joint effort to make it through the workout. “I really enjoy the group classes,” she says. “It’s amazing to train with people of the same mindset who support you. We are a CrossFit family.”

Fitrip took Laila under its wing from the start and while she says she struggled through those early unfamiliar classes, Houssam was quick to see her potential in her sport. He found training partners to push her, devised a weekly workout routine to keep to and even took charge of her nutrition. Right next door to Fitrip is nutrition and diet centre Wholesome Crafts that prepares three meals a day for Laila to fuel her workouts.

“This is the first sport where I have a coach,” she says. “I feel supported here.

I had to choose between triathlon and CrossFit. CrossFit won.”

Despite all the support and her triathlon background, getting good at her new sport has been a steep learning curve.

FLYafrica 35

“I’ve come from an endurance background,” she says. “So the long, conditioning workouts feel comfortable, but I had never done weightlifting before and doing a handstand against a wall was the extent of my gymnastics, now I can do handstand walks and muscle-ups [One of the toughest CrossFit moves that involves continuing a pull up so you press your whole upper body above the bar with arms extended]. Now I do weight-lifting five times a week.

It can be boring, but when I get a PR [personal record] then I love it.”

Laila saw rapid changes in her weightlifting numbers, but also in her physique as she began to add muscle to her slim triathlete’s frame. She has that defined athlete’s physique you’d think most would aspire to, but she says many women in Ghana are keen to cling on to their curves.

“I’ve gained some muscle and got a bit heavier,” she says. “Friends told me ‘You’re going to look so boyish’, which is not something that’s encouraged here.

Girls can be strong “I’ve grown up always hearing that as an athlete. I’m looking forward to being an example for girls to go with what they can do. To believe in themselves.”

Laila has not had not long to get accustomed to the range of CrossFit movements. Just a few months after she arrived at Fitrip, the first of the CrossFit Open workouts were announced. These are a series of four workouts – a new one is released each

week and athletes have a week to post their best score – which are open to anyone to attempt from the world’s elite battling for a Games place to weekend warriors who just want to test themselves against their friends.

In 2018, more than 429,000 people took part, but only 32 different countries were represented. In 2019 the rules were changed to ensure that every country that practices CrossFit sends an athlete to the Games.

Representing Ghana Despite only having taken up CrossFit a matter of weeks before the Open, Laila posted the best scores by a woman in Ghana. Her workouts were captured on video and sent away for verification and soon word came that she was on her way to the US as a Games athlete.

“I was excited when I saw the email to get in the Games,” she says. “But a week later, I found myself in a zone where I realised how much there is still to do if I want impress when I get there. I’ve watched the Games and most of the African athletes don’t get beyond the first stage [the field is cut by half after the first event with the worst performing athletes left eliminated and the number of competitors is further cut down after each subsequent event] I’m not going there to win, but I want to leave a mark.

I know I won’t come first, but I won’t be last and I want to show that Ghana came and this is what happened.”

The responsibility and pride of representing her country has driven her to up the intensity of her workouts even further with both her and Eugene testing each other to their limits.

“Eugene is hard on me and I am the same for him,” she says. “It’s friendly competition, but we always go hard.

Every evening before the class I practise the movements and work on my weaknesses.”

36

Such commitment to ensure Laila made herself and her country proud at the Games makes it heart-breaking that the Covid 19 outbreak and the subsequent social distancing have meant it will be an almost unrecognisable Games running from July 27 to August 2 this year. It will now take place behind closed doors in California with just 30 invited athletes for the men’s and women’s competition. Laila like hundreds of other amazing athletes from around the world will not be there.

Refocus for next year I catch up with Laila in May, just a few weeks after the changes to the Games were announced. She is disappointed, of course, but with the Open series of workouts for the 2021 Games this November, focusing on using the extra time to hone her fitness and exercise technique so she is ready to post winning numbers again and make the Games next year.

She is still able to train at Fitrip. While the gym, like all others in Accra, closed for the government-enforced lockdown it has been one of the first to reopen,

Inflight mindfulness with Bliss Yoga Accra

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

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

No matter where you are or what you’re doing, whether you are taking off, landing, or halfway through a six-hour flight, you are always breathing.

Flying can bring up feelings of anxiety. Luckily it takes just 60 seconds to calm down and you can do it using your breathing. To help ease stress on your flight, here are two breathing exercises to help you relax. making sure that members stay safe with temperature checks on arrival, a disinfectant booth that everyone must pass through to enter the gym floor and social distancing observed throughout.

Laila still never gets to hear her alarm.

Getting better every day at CrossFit and becoming the first Ghanaian to compete at the Games all the wake-up call she needs.

To find out more about Fitrip and joining fees for its CrossFit box, 233 CrossFit, and the rest of the gym’s facilities, visit fitripgh.com or email info@fitripgh.com

MUSCLE UPS Laila performs one of CrossFit’s most testing moves

Stretch your breathing

COMMUNITY Laila has loved the family feel of training at Fitrip

Alternate breathing between nostrils

Sit up straight in your seat and inhale deeply through your nose. Exhale slowly through your nose (instead of your mouth), for two to three seconds longer than the amount of time it took to breathe in. Do this for 60 seconds and feel instantly calmer.

Block one nostril with your thumb and inhale through the other nostril until your lungs are full. Hold your breath as you move your thumb to close off the other nostril. Exhale slowly and repeat through each nostril.

Find out more about the classes at blissyogaaccra.com or @blissyogaaccra Instagram FLYafrica 37

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

Stocks dip further into value territory The stock market continued its

price gain as spot gold soared

downward trend in the first half

globally based on inflation fears

of the year, as the GSE Composite

and safe-haven demand. Gains

Index closed down 15.83% while

were also seen in SIC Insurance,

the GSE Financial Stock Index

Camelot and Aluworks, which

saw a 14.59% decline. In compari-

rose 25.00%, 22.22% and 10.00%,

son, during the same period last

respectively. Fan Milk was the top

year, the GSE Composite Index

loser during the period, shedding

was down 6.90% while the GSE

56.31% possibly in anticipation of

Financial Stock Index was 2.96%

poor performance from lockdown

lower. Total market turnover at

induced inventory and receivable

GH₵ 194.01 million (up 91.9% from

write-offs.

the prior comparable period’s GH₵ 101.12 million) was largely

Fan Milk had a difficult half year,

dominated by trades in MTN Ghana

recording a 17.83% decline in

(78.71% of total), Ghana Commer-

revenue to GH₵ 184.74 million.

cial Bank (7.85%) and Ecobank

Profit After Tax (PAT) fell 93.35%

Ghana (4.33%). Total volume

to GH₵ 0.70million, while net

traded was 262.25 million shares

margin worsened to 0.4% from

compared to 98.21 million shares

4.70%.

same time last year.

38

It is worth noting that all listed

Net sellers continued to dominate

banks shares except for those of

the market, with 19 price declin-

Agriculture Development Bank

ers versus five advancers. New

and Standard Chartered Bank’s

Gold Exchange-Traded Fund

Preference closed in the nega-

was the top riser with a 68.33%

tive. The recent directive by the

Stock Market Indices (per cent)

Source: GSE, SAS Research

Performance of GSE Listed Companies Top Advancers

Closing Price (GH₵) Change

New Gold SIC Insurance Camelot Aluworks Standard Chartered Bank Pref Top Decliners

90.90 0.10 0.11 0.11 0.87

68.33% 25.00% 22.22% 10.00% 1.16%

Closing Price (GH₵) Change

Fan Milk Intravenous Infusions Ghana Commercial Bank Guinness Ghana Breweries Republic Bank Source: GSE,SAS Equities Desk

1.75 0.03 3.40 1.20 0.40

-56.31% -40.00% -33.33% -28.99% -28.57%

1 Jan - 30 Jun, 2020

low gearing, a defensive and diversi-

Bank of Ghana for banks to temporarily suspend dividend payments due to Covid-19 appears to be affecting demand for bank shares, bucking generally good operating results.

fied product portfolio and a strong market position, such as MTN Ghana

and GOIL. Banks that have taken the

91 Day Tbill

14.69%

13.97%

182 Day Tbill

15.15%

14.05%

-1.10%

ing to transactions) such as Ecobank

1 Year Note

17.88%

16.87%

-1.01%

Ghana, Ghana Commercial Bank and

2 Year Note

20.95%

18.75%

-2.20%

Standard Chartered Bank are likely to

3 Year Bond

19.70%

18.85%

-0.85%

fair better than peers that are behind

5 Year Bond

19.50%

19.25%

-0.25%

the curve. Rather than timing the

7 Year Bond

21.37%

19.24%

-2.13%

bottom of the market, we recom-

10 Year Bond

21.77%

20.31%

-1.46%

mend investors take advantage of new

15 Year Bond

21.56%

21.12%

-0.44%

lead in digitalization (from onboard-

Ecobank Ghana posted a 23.4% improvement in total operating income at GH₵ 878.46million for the first half of the year. PAT improved to GH₵ 253.25 million (+18.5%). Ghana Commercial Bank also performed well, reporting a 26% growth in total operating income to GH₵ 913.39 million while PAT improved to GH₵ 186.86 million (+41.9%). Standard Chartered Bank improved total operating income by 14.9% and PAT by 56.7%.

While we expect recent job losses to constrain demand and impact capacity utilisation and inventory build-up/ receivable write-offs in some cases while debt (largely payables) accumulate on the balance sheet in the medium term, we believe that Ghana Stock Exchange prices may have already captured all of these factors, and valuations generally are rather cheap at an average market price-to-earnings ratio of 4.21.

In our view, the extended selling over the past two years offers opportunities to buy into good quality counters at discounts. To discerning longterm investors, we recommend well managed, high quality companies with

Treasury Rates

value opportunities to rebalance their portfolios.

MTN Ghana continues to improve its margins: revenue growth of 19.46% to GH₵ 2.90billion and 10.05% decline in direct costs led to an improvement in EBITDA Margin to 53.56% (vs 49.55%). The group reported EBITDA of GH₵ 1.55 billion (+29.14%) and PAT of GH₵ 689.51 million (+52.33%).

GOIL, affected by the restrictions on movement during the lockdown, saw a 21.7% dip in revenue to GH₵ 2.42 billion.

PAT fell 41.29% to GH₵ 60.01 million

Avg. Open

further easing for the remainder of the year.

Government currently expects a fiscal deficit of around 11.4% of GDP (GH₵ 44.1 billion) for 2020 compared to about 4.7% of GDP (GH₵ 18.9 billion) in the original budget for the year.

Net treasury securities issuance is expected to remain relatively high in the medium term, with the risk of higher yields.

(net margin eased to 1.42% vs 2.16% during 1H19).

GH₵ Exchange Rates

In the bond market, we see limited

Currency

Avg. Open

impetus for bond prices to rally much

US Dollar

5.54

5.67 -2.30%

further this year

Pound Sterling

7.32

7.00

4.46%

Canadian Dollar

4.27

4.16

2.60%

At the last Monetary Policy Commit-

South African Rand 0.40

tee meeting in July, the MPR was left

Euro

unchanged at 14.5%. We do not expect

Chinese Renmimbi 0.80

Market Activity Volume Traded

MTN Ghana Ghana Commercial Bank Ecobank Ghana Limited Standard Chartered Bank

Volume Contr. Value Traded (GH₵) Value Contr.

243,499,256

92.85%

152,709,655

3,690,623

1.41%

15,234,869

7.85%

1,159,398

0.44%

8,408,857

4.33% 3.39%

363,139

0.14%

6,571,195

3,841,792

1.46%

3,238,046

1.67%

Fan Milk

1,314,728

0.50%

3,075,804

1.59%

Enterprise Group

1,525,568

0.58%

2,448,134

1.26%

Ghana Oil Company

355,150

0.14%

590,962

0.30%

Société Générale

763,327

0.29%

533,018

0.27%

Other Total

137,437

0.05%

388,804

0.20%

5,598,003

2.13%

808,180

0.42%

262,248,421

100.00%

194,007,524

100.00%

Source: Ghana Stock Exchange, SAS Research

Avg. % Close Change

0.33 21.29%

6.21 6.36 -2.36% 55.39

0.80 -0.89% 63.65 -12.99%

Source: Bank of Ghana, SAS Research 1 Jan -30 Jun, 2020

78.71%

CAL Bank

Total Petroleum

-0.72%

Source: Bank of Ghana, SAS Research 1 Jan -30 Jun, 2020

Nigerian Naira Company

Avg. % Close Change

1 Jan -30 Jun, 2020

Find out more Strategic African Securities Limited, 14th Floor, World Trade Centre, Independence Avenue, Accra Tel: +233 302 661 990 / 770 / 008 Email: info@sasghana.com, research@sasghana.com www.sasghana.com FLYafrica 39

Legacy of Ghanaian hero

Kofi Annan lives on

There are few who embody the rallying cry of AWA, “Touching Africa, Touching the World”, to the extent of late Nobel Peace Prize winner and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. So last year we were delighted to support the establishment of the Kofi Annan Living Memorial that took his legacy into the future. Here Olubanke King-Akerele, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia and the driving force behind the living memorial, reveals how its work in instilling Annan’s values of peace and justice in a new generation is progressing.

T

he Kofi Annan Living

Centre for Peace, Good Governance

in 2006 and endorsed by Annan

Memorial (KALM) is based on

and Human Rights. There could be

during his farewell visit to Monrovia

an earlier living memorial in

no better way to commemorate him

when he received Liberia’s highest

honour of the second UN Secretary

than promoting these ideals which

honour. Its work is partnered by the

General, Dag Hammarskjöld, who

he held so dearly.”

United Nations in Liberia, the Angie

died fighting for peace in the then

Brooks International Centre and the

Congo when the aircraft he was

believed there was no better way

Liberian government. The Liberian

travelling in came down in what is

to commemorate the late United

legislature passed an act establishing

now Zambia.

Nations Secretary General Kofi

the institute.

Kofi Annan spoke about the Dag

Annan than promoting the ideals

There are four components to the

Hammarskjöld Living Memorial,

which he held so dearly through the

living memorial’s work and each has

on 6 September 2001 in Uppsala,

establishment of a similar memorial,

seen considerable progress made

Sweden, at a commemoration

which would take his legacy into the

since they were set up. As of July this

ceremony: “In Zambia too which, as

future.

year, these are the developments in

you know where he actually died-

40

Eighteen years later, we

Annan is revered in Liberia,

each component.

Hammarskjöld’s death is commemo-

where his work with the UN helped

rated annually. The Zambian

bring an end to civil war in the

Government, together with your

country and consolidate peace.

own, and the United Nations System,

The memorial takes the form of a

The training of Young Diplomats for Conflict Prevention

has launched a Living Memorial,

programme of initiatives run through

Two groups of Young Diplomats

which includes a programme

the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict

have completed the three months

to educate Young Africans as

Transformation at the University

training for their certificates. The

Messengers of Peace, as well as a

of Liberia, which was established

training of the first 30-strong

Martin Good | Shutterstock.com

joyful | shutterstock

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SUCCESSOR Kofi Annan with Ban Ki-moon

The Development of an Educational Board Game: Sustaining Liberia’s Peace

The SDGs are the blueprint to

The board game is based on the

achieve a better and more sustain-

model of the Growing Africa’s

able future for all. They address the

Emergent Leadership Game launched

global challenges we face, including

in 2016. This component is well

group was financed by the The

those related to poverty, inequal-

advanced with field testing expected

Office of the United Nations High

ity, climate change, environmental

to take place by end of the year.

Commissioner for Human Rights

degradation, peace and justice. All 17

in Liberia, while the second cohort

goals are interconnected in order to

in Ghana Consultations are under-

of 50 was financed by United

leave no one behind.

way with the Ghana International

Nations Population Fund regional

The Kofi Annan Living Memorial

The Establishment of SDG Clubs

School and the Ghana Institute of

programme in Dakar, Senegal. The

in high schools is being coordi-

Management & Public Administration

Kofi Annan Institute and the Angie

nated by the Spiritan Academy

on implementing the living memo-

Brooks International Centre – the

Demonstration School of Stella

rial in Ghana. Africa World Airlines

lead implementing partners of the

Maris Polytechnic. Currently the

(AWA) flew the Liberia KALM team

initiative – are indebted to these

pilot covers selected high schools

to Accra for meetings last year for

institutions.

and organizations in Montserrado,

The first group of Young

Margibi and Bong Counties. The

Diplomats were awarded their

curriculum for the clubs is being

certificates in August 2019 by the

developed.

outgoing UN Resident Co-ordinator

FOREVER IN OUR THOUGHTS Kofi Annan

which we are most grateful.

The Government of Ghana has also endorsed the Kofi Annan Living Memorial. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs &

received their certificates on August

Out of School Youth Training

18 this year, the second anniver-

This component is expected to

Embassy of Ghana in Liberia, to say:

sary of the death of Annan and

be activated in concert with the

“We in Ghana…are pleased to be

date, in 2003, of the signing of the

programmes of selected UN agen-

part of any project to promote and

Comprehensive peace Agreement

cies and the SDG clubs in the second

sustain the memory of this African

that brought peace to Liberia.

half of 2020.

hero and global icon.”

Yacoub El Hillo. The second group

Regional Integration of Ghana, recently wrote to me through the

FLYafrica

41

STAYafrica

Room and board The small fishing village of Busua on the south west coast of Ghana is riding a wave of tourism interest thanks to its paradise-like beaches and consistent waves even beginner surfers can shred. The surf school that first taught locals to ride the waves has recently expanded operations with the opening of the Ahanta Eco Lodge, offering cool and classy accommodation just footsteps from the beach and its world-class breaks.

Images courtesy of Ahanta Waves Surf School & Camp

Location Busua is a small fishing village with only one paved street that sees more goats than cars. Life here centres around the sickle of salt-white sand and sapphire sea of Busua beach and Ahanta Eco Lodge, lat the end of the beach where the Busua River meets the ocean is the ideal spot to take it all in. Early starts are essential for surfers to make the most of the dawn’s glassy waves and offshore winds and the beach provides its own alarm call in the sounds of villagers

and there’s drinking and dancing lit by beach bonfires. The beach is big enough to find a place of peace and quiet if that’s what you prefer or a 25-minute walk will get you to neighbouring fishing village of Dixcove with its old original British stronghold Fort Metal Cross and former Dutch fortress Fort Batenstein, both amazingly well preserved reminders of the Gold Coast’s colonial legacy.

Style and character

pulling the fishing boats into the

The owners of Ahanta Eco Lodge

sea accompanied by rhythmic

and the Ahanta Waves Surf

chants. Later in the day you’ll

School are husband and wife

see the boats return laden with

Peter Ansah and Julia Overas.

catches of tuna, swordfish,

Peter grew up in Busua and was

dorado and lobster. Women

involved in running the Black

and children will gather around and bring their purchase home for dinner and you’ll be able to sample some spiced and grilled fish that night at one of the many

42

Sound systems shake the sand

Star Surf Shop, the country’s first surfing outpost which introduced locals to the sport. His surfing heritage and the Norwegian Julia’s studies in environmental

beach-side restaurants here.

management came together

As the evening draws in the

lodge which has been built as a

beach draws the party crowd.

traditional Ghanaian beachside

in the construction of the

settlement with a thatched roof, rammed earth walls and more sustainable materials to complement and maintain the environment. It’s a stylish and comfortable place with cool furniture touches such as locally made tree stump coffee tables and bamboo rocking chairs.

Rooms Nestled among trees – including a 60-metre-high silk cotton tree thought to be several hundred years old are the eight

PARADISE The view from Busua beach

SURFING LESSONS Boards and clothing can be hired

spacious rooms of Ahanta Eco Lodge. Each room is built with sustainable materials and all have comfortable beds, organic cotton bed linens and towels and there is homemade soap in the bathrooms. They are kept cool with overhead fans (the electricity is generated by solar power), but the cross facing large windows and overhanging roof also maximise shade and ventilation. The six ground floor rooms all have private bathrooms and showers with the largest sleeping six with bunk beds – ideal for families. Two first-floor budget room has a lovely outdoor shower as well as a wooden veranda offering fantastic views. .

Food and drink

that grill and spice the catch of the day and serve it up with bags

The lodge grows its own fruit and vegetables to supply the kitchen with organic produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There is always a vegan or vegetarian option and both local and international dishes are on the regularly updated menu.

of banku, made from fermented SURF SCENE Busua is at the heart of the sport in Ghana

corn and cassava and rolled into balls. It is too delicious for words.

There’s also plenty of bars to enjoy a Club beer or cocktail as the sun goes down or you may run into ‘The Juice Man’, a charming local who walks the

For more dining options, the

beach selling smoothies packed

beach is braided with restaurants

with fresh-picked fruit and stored FLYafrica 43

SUSTAINABLE STYLE The lodge tries at all times to protect its environment

in a freezer box for maximum thirst quenching effect.

Facilities If you’re staying at the Ahanta Eco Lodge it’s because you want to be surfing your stay away and Busua Beach is the perfect place to do it. The slowbuilding southern hemisphere swells that break on Busua beach in long, organised, headhigh lines are truly things of beauty.

The lodge offers a week-long all-inclusive package aimed at beginners that provides unlimited use of all equipment – from boards to sunscreen – and five 90-minute surf lessons at Busua Beach where there are no strong currents and, between November and April, the waves rarely get higher than one metre. Other features include a day out to a neighbouring village and a sunset boat trip. You’ll also be grateful of the hardy LandCruiser used for the complimentary pick-up and drop-off at Takoradi Airport to top and tail your stay. Getting a taxi is not cheap (the driver will, understandably, expect to be compensated for the expense of the return journey) and travelling by tro tro, while far cheaper, will mean you feel every bump – and there are many – of the 35km journey.

Surfers not staying at the lodge can still hire boards at Ahanta Waves and get lessons individually or in groups.

If you’re looking for more challenging waves to ride, just paddling distance from Busua Beach is a challenging 44

The lodge offers a week-long allinclusive package aimed at beginners that provides unlimited use of all equipment right hand point break known as Black Mamba with waves that break at over two metres.

Similar sized waves can be found at Dixcove Point, but here they can unfurl for 100 metres or more for a majestic ride.

Value for money Double rooms are US$ 45 a night, the large double room is US$ 45 a night for a double occupancy with every additional

person charged at US$ 15 a night.

The budget double room is US$ 27 a night.

RELIABLE WAVES You can surf every day in Busua

The week-long beginners surfing package is US$ 400 if staying in the budget double room or US$450 per person in the standard double rooms.

For more details and to book your stay, visit ahantawaves.com

AWAroutes

Wa Freetown Sierra Leone

Nigeria

Tamale Ghana Côte d’lvoire Monrovia Kumasi Liberia

Abidjan

Abuja Lagos

Takoradi

Explore West Africa with Africa World Airlines GHANA

Accra

Wa

Abidjan

Kotoka International Airport

Wa Airport

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

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

Aéroport Félix Houphouët Boigny

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

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

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

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

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

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

NIGERIA LIBERIA

Lagos

Monrovia

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Roberts International Airport

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

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

Abuja

SIERRA LEONE

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

Freetown

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

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

Lungi International Airport

Book online

flyAfricaWorld.com FLYafrica 45

TRAVELinformation Before your flight

1.

2.

3 .

4.

5.

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

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

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

travel with limited supervision

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

receiving a UM at final

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

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

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

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

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

Once on board, a flight attendant with observe and/

During your flight

6.

7.

8.

periodically.

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

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

The parent/guardian receiv-

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

plane services.

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

AWA does not accept

scheduled arrival and present

responsibility for a UM’s

valid photo ID to an AWA

actions. The parent/guardian

representative. AWA will not

agrees to hold AWA blame-

release a UM to anyone other

less for any injuries to UM

than the designated parent/

caused by or out of UM’s own

guardian.

negligence.

Sit back, relax and enjoy FLYafrica magazine!

AWA reserves the right to

Baggage allowances

46

or communicate with the UM

Checked baggage

Hand luggage

Excess baggage

Should the UM’s flight be

transport UMs on flights that

disrupted or should the guard-

may have been diverted or

ian or parent fail to meet the

cancelled due to weather or

UM on arrival, AWA is author-

operational disruptions.

ized to take necessary and

Domestic Regional 23 kg

30 kg

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

US$ 3/kg

book stating the duration of

to AWA representatives of the

pregnancy at the date of travel.

person’s condition upon ticket purchase.

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

Pre-boarding to find a suit-

delivery, provided that she has

able seat. Passengers with

a certificate from her obstetri-

disabilities are not permitted to

cian stating she is fit to fly.

sit in the emergency exit rows.

Babies under 14 days old are not permitted to fly.

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

Passengers with reduced mobility

at baggage claim.

AWA is not insured, permitted

AWA provides assistance to

or equipped for staff to carry

passengers with special needs

any passenger who is unable to

during the reservation process,

assist himself or herself onboard

check-in, during the flight

an AWA aircraft, even if he or

and at final destination. AWA

she is able to walk but needs a

will ensure provision of the

trained and accredited bearer.

following: AWA is not equipped to Transport of passengers

reasonable action under the

agrees to reimburse AWA for

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

From the 28th to the

seated on the lap of an adult

34th week of pregnancy, an

over 15 years of age. However,

expectant mother is required

a passenger may choose to

to provide a medical certifi-

purchase a seat for the infant

cate from her obstetrician

as long as there is a proper

stating that the pregnancy is

child restraint device.

progressing without complications and stating the expected

Only one child is permitted

delivery date.

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

or contained gas either in the

safety-related regulation that

passenger cabin or as cargo/

requires us not to do so.

baggage.

AWA is not equipped to

chairs or other assistance

transport passengers who

devices for personal use at

require stretchers, incubators,

no charge, in addition to

respirators or other devices

enplaning and deplaning.

that may rely on aircraft power

Attention should be brought

supply.

week of pregnancy without a

AWA requires all children under two years old to be

other hazardous materials and/

unless there is a specific

Transport of wheel-

any expenses incurred.

Infants and toddlers

with disabilities of any kind

and more comfortable flight.

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

transport medical oxygen or

Expectant mothers more

if one adult is travelling with

than 34 weeks pregnant are

two infants.

not permitted to fly with AWA.

AWA recommends that

For pregnancies less than

a child over 20 kg in weight

28 weeks, passengers should

should use a seat for a safer

possess an ante-natal card/

Fleet information Embraer ERJ-145LR Length:

29.87 m / 98 ft 0 in

Height:

6.76 m / 22 ft 2 in

Wingspan:

20.04 m / 65 ft 9 in

Capacity: Engines:

50 passengers Rolls Royce AE 3007-A1 Turbofans

Range: Maximum speed:

2,870 km Mach 0.78

Number of aircraft: 8 FLYafrica 47

AWAcontacts Connect with AWA Facebook

www.facebook.com/ flyafricaworld

Twitter

@flyafricaworld

Get in touch Email Contacts Local Offices Accra – Head Office UNA Homes Building 2nd/3rd floor Airport Bypass Road Airport City Road PMB CT67 Accra, Ghana Tel: +233 24 243 8888

+233 30 701 2024 Toll Free: 0800 200 200 Email: awaoffice@flyafricaworld.com Opening hours: 08.00-17.00 (Monday to Friday)

Kumasi Airport Office Opening hours 05:00 - 20:00 (Monday to Sunday) Tel: +233 30 297 4918

Takoradi Airport Office Opening hours 05:30 - 18:00 (Monday to Saturday) 08:00 - 18:00 (Sunday) Tel: +233 57 770 2854

48

Instagram

@flyafricaworld

Concerns concerns@flyafricaworld.com Charters charters@flyafricaworld.com

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

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

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

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

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

+234 90 9558 0987

+234 90 9558 0960 Email: abujasales@flyafricaworld.com Opening hours 08:00 - 16:00 (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) 08:00 - 18:00 (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday)

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

+225 44807047

Book online

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

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

+231 77 545 0010 Email: sales@air-mc.com Opening hours: 09.00-17.00 (Monday to Saturday)

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

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

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