FLYafrica Magazine, Issue 2, October 2018

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

Touching Africa, Touching The World!

FLYafrica Music and me ISSUE 2

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2018

STONEBWOY SPEAKS OUT

PAGE 16

TASTY

Sample some street food PAGE 30

GET FIT

Make fitness fun in Lagos PAGE 28

FOOTBALL Meet Ghana’s princess of the pitch

Contents

PAGE 34

LUXURY RETREATS Ghana’s boutique hotels

Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock.com

Regulars

Features

3 Foreword

24 Top bwoy

6 EVENTScalendar

27 Accra City Hotel

8 STARdestination

28 Footballing royalty

Africa World Airlines Head Office - SSNIT Emporium Ground Floor, Airport City Liberation Road PMB CT67 Cantonment Accra, Ghana Tel: +233 242 438 888 Toll Free: 0800 200 200 Email: awaoffice@flyafricaworld.com www.Flyafricaworld.com FLYafrica Magazine is published for Africa World Airlines by: Land & Marine Publications Ltd 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park Colchester, Essex CO4 9RA United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: publishing@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com ADVERTISING: Matthew Jay, Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Cell: +44 (0)7714 448057 (WhatsApp) Email: flyafrica@landmarine.org The contents and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy in preparing the magazine, the Publisher and Africa World Airlines assume no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies or omissions.

All submitted material is accepted on the understanding that the material can be edited, amended or abridged for publication. ©2018 Land & Marine Publications Ltd

We’ve come a long way – thanks to you

Monrovia

12 MYafrica

Ghanaian megastar Stonebwoy on what makes his musical spirit come alive Redefining the gold standard in luxury hotels Star of the Black Princesses Princella Adubea

30 Weird ways to get fit in Lagos

Photo competition

Tired of the treadmill? Try these workouts...

32 Now that’s what we call retail therapy…

16 EATafrica

Stars of street food

The sensory overload of Kejetia Market

34 Small but stylish

18 DRIVEafrica

Kantanka’s ‘Made in Ghana’ range

Ghana’s best boutique hotels

36 It pays to grow smarter

20 TECHcorner

Technology is helping cocoa farmers in Ghana

38 Free things to do in Abuja

The latest in fitness trackers

Embracing park life in Nigeria’s capital

40 Ghana celebrates a ‘life well lived’

22 INVESTMENT market review

Country pays tribute to Kofi Annan

42 The chef bringing fine dining to Accra

Stocks trim mid-year high valuations

Meet Chapter One’s Ruby Paintsil

Subscribe to FLYafrica

AWA Information

Email: subscribe@landmarine.org

4 AWAnews 45 AWAroutes 46 TRAVELinformation 48 AWAcontacts

Cover image © Zylofon Media

Book online

Flyafricaworld.com FLYafrica

1

Foreword

Welcome

WE’VE COME A LONG WAY – THANKS TO YOU Dear passengers, On behalf of Africa World Airlines, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the second edition of our in-flight magazine, FLYafrica.

Once again it’s filled with information about our awardwinning airline, exciting things to do and see in the AWA network, plus reviews, interviews with big name stars and more.

Africa World Airlines has travelled far since we launched our first flight on 21 September 2012, along the way building a reputation for competitive prices, reliable services and a growing network that connects West Africa.

The network recently expanded to include Freetown, in Sierra Leone, and we have plans to connect with Dakar, in Senegal, and Abidjan, in Côte d’Ivoire, before the end of the year. This will bring to six the number of West African countries in our network, adding to established routes in Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia.

AWA also plans to expand its six-strong fleet of ERJ 145LR jets to cope with the increased flights, with a seventh and eighth jet due

to enter service before the end of the year.

While our airline has been experiencing these changes, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to customers.

Upcoming advances to improve the customer experience even further include a more generous check-in baggage allowance; the AWA Miles frequent flyer programme; and bookings and check-ins online and via the AWA app.

COVER STAR Stonebwoy

Our focus on customers has been recognised in recent awards, with AWA being declared Promising Airline of the Year 2017 and Domestic Airline of the Year 2017 at the Ghana National Aviation Awards in Accra.

On behalf of the Africa World Airlines team, I would like to welcome you aboard this AWA flight and wish you an enjoyable and comfortable journey.

John Quan Chief Executive Officer Africa World Airlines

Book online

Flyafricaworld.com FLYafrica

3

AWAnews

Africa World Airlines’ vision to be the continent’s leading airline is progressing at pace with the announcement that it will be adding Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire, and Dakar, Senegal’s largest city, to its network before the end of the year. The new destinations will feed into AWA’s current domestic routes and link with other international carriers. Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal will become the fifth and sixth African countries in addition to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and Ghana, where the airline is based. Look out for information on how to make the most of your stays in Abidjan and Dakar in the next edition of FLYafrica.

Smarteye Photography

BOULENGER Xavier / Shutterstock.com

AWA spreads its wings to Abidjan and Dakar

Team bonding on the beach AWA-style

Africa World Airlines staff and their families bonded on the beach during a team-building day in August. The event also launched the airline’s fitness club and took place on 25 August at Turtle Beach Resort, in Kokrobite, Accra.

HOW TO BOOK

Online:

Telephone:

Passengers can book

various methods of payment for

Telephone bookings can be

flights online by visiting

customers in Ghana and Nigeria

made by calling

Flyafricaworld.com and using

including debit/credit card, MTN

the ‘Book A Flight’ function.

Mobile Service (Ghana only),

You can then choose your flight,

Quickteller (Nigeria only) and

book your seats and select your

bank transfer. For detailed infor-

payment method. AWA offers

mation, check out our website.

+233 24 243 8888 or our

Toll free number:

0800 200 200

Connect with AWA Facebook

www.facebook.com/ flyAfricaWorld

Twitter

@flyafricaworld

Instagram

Flyafricaworld.com 4

@africaworldairlines

EVENTScalendar Monday 1st October

It will be ‘Happy birthday, Nigeria’ on 1 October when the country celebrates its 58th year of independence with a national holiday. National Day marks Nigeria’s proclamation of independence from British rule on 1 October 1960. The festivities begin with an address to his people by President Muhamma du Buhari broadcast on radio and television. Other integral parts of the festivities are parades by the military, students and unions and a series of music concerts. The country will be a sea of green and white, with Nigerian flags proudly waving from cars, homes, restaurants and bars. Stuck for ideas on how to mark the day?

How about organising your own local parade or a fireworks party to celebrate with a bang. Or you could watch a film.

Cinemas on National Day are full of old films that rev up national pride and patriotism, such as the 2014 blockbuster ‘October’.

6

instagram.com/juliejovelle

Happy Birthday

Lorimer Images/Shutterstock.com

STAR EVENT

PARTY TIME Marking Nigeria’s National Day

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Accra Fashion Week

Monrovia Children’s Day Festival

Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th

[November]

A chance to see and buy the latest looks from all the leading local fashion labels at Ghana’s premier fashion event. See the new collections from Ghana fashion labels such as Fish Mega, Akinko and Julie Jovelle being modelled on the catwalk at the Providence Events and Recreation Centre. A ‘must’ for all fashionistas, this growing event is putting Accra on the global fashion map.

Held every November in Monrovia’s Sports Stadium, the Children’s Festival brings together thousands of young people from Liberia to celebrate their country’s achievements. To mark the occasion there will be games to join in with, as well as sports contests, live music and celebrity performances.

Aké Arts and Book Festival Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th The annual Aké Arts and Book Festival will take place in Lagos this year. Now in its sixth year, the event, founded by Nigerian writer Lolo Shoneyin, features new and established writers from across the world, with a focus on promoting, developing and celebrating creativity on the African continent. This year’s theme is ‘Fantastical Futures’. The events will focus largely on a reimagined African future and will include art exhibitions, stage plays, interviews, school visits, film screenings and music concerts and. The festival is named after the town in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Wole Soyinka, was born in 1934.

NOBEL LAUREATE Wole Soyinka Photo credit: Geraldo Magela/Agência Senado | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BYSA-2.0

BOOK A PLACE Writers’ festival

Ghana Poetry Festival Friday 9th to Saturday 10th This celebration of poetry in Ghana is held at the Centre for National Culture in Accra.

Now in its fifth year, the event was set up to promote poetry development in Ghana and, by extension, Africa and the world. The festival is designed to give emerging poets, spoken-word artists and visual artists a chance to showcase their work. This year’s festival, which has as its theme ‘Everything in Life is Poetry’, offers a chance to see the region’s leading poets perform their work and put questions to them.

DECEMBER Sabolai Festival Friday 21st to Saturday 22nd It has been said in song that the world is just one big onion and Sabolai (meaning ‘onion’ in Ga) Music Festival has been drawing some of the coolest artists from around the world to Accra for the past eight years. It’s the largest African indie music showcase in West Africa and highlights the best in hip hop, Afrobeat, traditional fusion, soul, electronic and rock music. This free two-day event takes place from 2 pm to 10 pm at Efua Sutherland Park and features heavy hitters from Ghana and abroad in an exciting live music concert.

FREE EVENT Sabolai Festival

FLYafrica

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STAR DESTINATION

Monrovia

So much to see and do in historic Monrovia Monrovia, the capital of Liberia and by far its largest city, is set on a peninsula that separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Mesurado River. The river’s mouth forms a natural harbour in which the city’s thriving port has been established. Monrovia has a fascinating if at times heartbreaking past; and there are many striking architectural reminders of its beginnings as a settlement for freed black slaves from the United States. As well as a rich heritage to explore, Monrovia offers great food and wonderful beaches, especially at resorts just a few miles outside the capital.

8

LOOMING MAJESTY The Grand Masonic Lodge

TRAVEL: Fly with AWA four

first president, Joseph Jenkins

times a week on a triangular

Roberts, as well as paintings and

service between Accra, Freetown

Liberian tribal artefacts.

and Monrovia.: On Wednesday and Sunday Accra to Monrovia departs 10 am and arrives 12pm.

On Monday and Friday Monrovia to Accra departs 2.40 pm and arrives 4.40 pm. Flights from Freetown to Monrovia depart Wednesday and Sunday at 1 pm and arrive 2 pm. Monrovia

For a real dose of the sights, sounds and smells of Monrovia, drop in on Waterside Market, which offers almost everything for sale, including colourful textiles, shoes and pottery. Don’t be afraid to haggle and you could come away with a real bargain.

to Freetown Wednesday and

EAT: Liberian food, a

Sunday departs 12.40 pm and

combination of southern

arrives 1.40 pm.

American influences and the

SEE: The Grand Masonic Lodge looms over Monrovia like the ruins of a Greek temple. Built in 1867, this breathtaking building was funded by emancipated African Americans who crossed the Atlantic from the US to set up Africa’s first self-declared republic.

‘The Daily Talk’ is a newspaper written in chalk on a blackboard in Tubman Boulevard in Monrovia’s bustling Sinkor district. It was started by Alfred Sirleaf in 2000 and provides a daily dose of national and international events for commuters and pedestrians either too short of time or money-poor to buy a newspaper or go online.

DO: Visit the Liberia National Museum. Its collection was seriously deleted during the country’s 14 years of civil Kippster | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-2.0

LOCAL DELICACY Fufu with goat soup

innovation of its indigenous ethnic groups, is delicious.

Evelyn’s Restaurant, in Sinkor, offers Liberian favourites such as palm butter with rice, cassava leaves and fufu with goat soup as well as international dishes.

Tides bar also has great food and drinks, but it’s the location that really sells it. Enjoy a leisurely cocktail or the ubiquitous Club Beer on the glorious wooden terrace and watch the sun go down over the beach’s saffron

Erik (HASH) Hershman | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-2.0

sand on one side and oceangoing ships on the other.

SLEEP: The Royal Grand Hotel in Tubman Boulevard offers luxurious rooms and high-end facilities such as a gym and rooftop bar. In the lobby you’ll find the popular Donut Bar, which tempts with home-made sweet and savoury pastries and is a great place to sit and ‘people watch’.

war, with around 5,000 of its

The eco hotel Libassa Lodge is

artefacts looted, but now in

just 30 minutes outside Monrovia

more settled times renovations

but feels like a genuine retreat

have created space for photo

from the city bustle. Stay in huts

and art exhibitions. Among the

amid a natural tropical palm tree

remaining historical exhibits is a

forest and take your pick of four

250-year-old dining table, a gift

swimming pools that run down to

from Queen Victoria to Liberia’s

a beautiful beach.

ECO HOTEL Libassa Lodge

FLYafrica

9

MYafrica FLYafrica’s photo competition Welcome aboard your flight with Africa World Airlines.

Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, to see the sights or to see your family, there’s sure to be an opportunity to take a memorable picture or two on your Africa World Airlines experience.

It could be anything from a family reunion to an urban landscape, a beach panorama or even just your favourite cup of coffee at the local café.

Send your top snap to us at awacompetition@landmarine.org and you could see it displayed in the pages of the next edition of FLYafrica.

This edition’s winner is Peter Armand Boyo, who was inspired to capture a moment on a trip to Elmina Castle in June while on holiday in Ghana.

“Walking along the sandy beach, the overturned boats by the shore beckoned to me as if calling me to tell me of tales past,” says Peter. “The ropes

dangling, the soft wind blowing, the sun setting in the orange sky above, the waves gently caressing my feet in the sand all inspired me. I closed my eyes and was transformed to 400 years ago.

How would it feel to be bound by chains and ropes and sailed away? The feeling gave birth to the photo.”

While Peter’s image was our vote, it was a tough decision. Among a host of excellent entries were these three to the right worthy of mention.

ER N IN W

Peter Armand Boyo

COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Closing date is 10 October. Images should be sent in low resolution format and the winner must be able to supply a high resolution copy for printing on request. 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 or Land & Marine Publications Ltd.

Flyafricaworld.com 12

Mark O.A. Agyemang was recently in Takoradi for a business meeting and captured this picture from the balcony of his hotel room at the Best Western Plus Hotel.

Valentine Uche sent in this wonderful entry taken in Freetown, Sierra Leone, which really draws the viewer in.

AWA frequent flyer Louis Wessels sent in this picture taken while staying at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra last year. Louis says: “It started raining and I noticed that the puddle was forming [the shape of] Africa.�

FLYafrica

13

EATafrica

Snack attack!

Get stuck in to Ghanaian street food There are few African countries that embrace street food quite like Ghana. At any time of the day or night, in the big cities, you’ll find tasty examples of the country’s diverse cuisine, which commuters tend to eat on the run. No visit to Ghana is complete without sampling some of these traditional light bites. Just make sure the stall or chop bar looks clean and reputable – a queue of customers is a good sign – when making your choice. With a little care and a healthy appetite, you can enjoy some of the food that local Ghanaians relish. Here is FLYafrica’s guide to some of the best snacks – and where to buy them.

For carb loading…

Jollof rice There is a fierce debate over which West African country produces the best jollof rice, with Nigeria putting up a particularly spirited claim, but there are plenty of colourful food stalls here to make you a fan of the Ghanaian version. Here, the rice is cooked in palm oil and tomato paste, which gives it its rich red hue, and is left to absorb the flavours of the also added onions, salt, spices and chilli peppers. It is eaten by the bucketload here in Ghana and no more so than at Pork Office in Spintex Road, one of Accra’s busiest streets.

The neighbourhood food stall serves the rice with juicy, spicy hunks of pork, either grilled or 16

fried, and the subtle yet exciting flavour locked into each grain is something truly special.

Pork Office, Spintex Rd, Accra Tel: +024 944 1452

Kenkey This large ground-corn dumpling, a little like polenta, is sold in balls and usually eaten with soups in Ghana. The dish is a staple of the Ga people, the original inhabitants of Accra.

Osu Night Market is renowned for selling the best kenkey in the capital. While you’re there check out the stalls of cooking ingredients, fresh fish and seafood and gain a fascinating insight into a vendor’s life.

Osu Night Market, Basel Street, Accra

STREET FOOD Ghanaian cuisine

CREATIVE Waakye from Auntie Muni Waakye

FISH FAVOURITE Tilapia

For meat lovers…

Chichinga

Waakye This dish of cooked rice and beans – they are boiled together – is mostly eaten as a morning or lunchtime snack. You can find vendors selling it on just about every street corner, but one stall in Accra has become synonymous with the dish and has built a reputation that has drawn politicians and even former presidents to its Orphan Crescent location. Auntie Muni Waakye came from Tamale, in Ghana’s northern region where the dish originated, to Accra 10 years ago and in that time has built a food service that has become hugely popular through word of mouth. She

These are Ghanaian kebabs with cuts of beef or chicken covered in a hot, spicy peanut marinade infused with the main spices of ginger, garlic and chili and then grilled until crisp and succulent.

Shoko This spinach-and-meat stew is hearty, spicy and full of greens and makes for a healthy, affordable snack. It consists of a combination of red tomatoes, peppers, leafy green spinach and usually either beef or goat.

For the pescatarians…

Grilled tilapia

gets creative with the rice and beans base and serves it with spaghetti, avocado, plantains and meat. Be prepared to queue, but it’s worth the wait.

When you see fish being grilled over charcoal on the streets of Accra, chances are it’s tilapia. This white and tender river fish is a delicacy among Ghanaians and is eaten on its own or with banku (a corn-based dough) and hot pepper. Philipo’s Tilapia Joint, a street stall located in East Legon, serves not only the largest but some of the best grilled tilapia in Accra. The fish is spiced with peppers – you can tell them how fiery you want it – and other local herbs, then grilled as you wait.

Auntie Muni Waakye, Orphan Crescent, Accra

Philippo’s Tilapia Joint, Freetown Avenue, Accra.

POPULAR DISH Jollof rice

Fante fante Fante fante is a local dish that originated among the coastal Fante people of the central region. It’s essentially a fish stew, using the day’s catch from the ocean. Red snapper, prawns and octopus are all common ingredients in a sauce consisting of scotch bonnet pepper, tomatoes, onion, palm oil, ginger, garlic and seasoning.

For those with a sweet tooth…

Kofi Broke Man This popular street food in Ghana made from roasted plantains and yams and eaten with groundnuts is a sweet and cheap – hence the name – treat. It’s also a real pick-me-up because, when roasted, plantain and yam are a reliable source of starch and energy.

Kelewele A popular sweet snack involving cubes of ripe plantains tossed in hot pepper, ginger and other spices, then fried until the sugar in the plantain caramelises along the squared edges.

Bofrot Sometimes called Puff-Puff, these Ghanaian doughnuts are deep fried in vegetable oil until golden brown and are a popular breakfast snack eaten with corn meal or millet porridge.

FLYafrica

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DRIVEafrica ‘Our car for our roads’ They’ve been road-tested by the Ghanaian police and now the Kantanka Automobile Company hopes its range of ‘Ghana-made’ vehicles will be a hit with the public.

By Kwesi Ohene

G

hanaians love their cars - perhaps a little too much. A few less on the

The Kantanka Automobile

to the patriotism of potential

Company, owned by

customers as well as promising

Christian minister, inventor

its vehicles are primed like no

road would ease the reliably

and philanthropist Kwadwo

others for Ghana’s extremes

gridlocked commute in its major

Safo Kantanka, entered the

of weather and tough driving

cities.

marketplace in 2015 and now

terrain.

For years Ghana has relied on imported models to meet demand, with sturdy SUVs from multinationals such as Toyota and Land Rover especially popular. However, now sharing

produces a range of six heavy duty vehicles, ranging from

Made for Ghana

saloons the Mensah, Amoanimaa

Still, Ghanaians have taken

and K71 to SUVs Onantefo and

some convincing, with many

Omama, which is also available in

showing little faith in the qualities

a pick-up truck version.

of the country’s home-grown mechanics.

the country’s roads with them are

Marketed under the slogan

the first cars to carry a “made in

‘Not Just Any Car, It’s Our

Kwado Safo Jr, one of Kwadwo

Ghana” seal.

Car’, the company is appealing

Safo Kantanka’s sons and CEO of

Model specifications

18

Amoanimaa

Onantefo

Omama

Body: Saloon Speed: 0-70mph in 4.8 seconds Fuel economy: 6.4 litres per 100 km

Body: SUV Speed: Max speed 160 mph Fuel economy: 10.3 litres per 100 km

Body: Pick-up Speed: Max speed 140 mph Fuel economy: 7.8 litres per 100 km

Kantanka, says: “People think the doors will come off or the tires will blow off or something.”

To prove the Kantanka models are tough enough for local conditions, some of the first finished vehicles from Kantanka’s factory in Accra were donated to the Ghanaian police.

“They rough handle cars a lot,” Kwado Safo Jr says. “They took the car, and made it appeal to the masses.”

“These cars are made for Ghana.

We know how the roads are, and we built them to stand the roads.”

Despite backing from the Ghanaian police and stars of the country’s music, film and fashion scene, such as Kwabena Kwabena, James Gardner, Ekow

Big Science & Technology (Kwado Safo Jr has admitted to working with a secret partner).

This does not damage Kantanka’s claims of quality, after all the vehicles have been on Chinese roads for years, but suggesting that they have been built with Ghana’s roads in mind is a stretch.

Kantanka also has the challenge of being a small operator competing with established rivals.

Its manufacturing base in Accra produces around three cars a day and since 2015 has produced just over 300. Producing in these numbers, it’s hard to keep costs down. The cheapest of the models, the K71, costs around $18,000, which is competitive with the foreign models available in Ghana, but still out of reach for many car owners.

Smith Asante and Deborah

Big dreams

Vanessa, Kantanka’s home-made

Still, Kwado Safo has big dreams for his company and the progress he has seen already - this year

credentials are open to question.

While each model has some superficial nods to its local heritage in its badges and trim, such as the Ghana Star on the radiator grill, wood from Ghanaian forests used for dashboards, leather seats made in Kumasi and the dashboard electronics identified in Akan as well as English, when you look under the bonnet it is a different matter.

Challenges The reason is Kantanka vehicles are assembled in Ghana from complete knock down kits from Chinese automaker Chongqing

K71

Mensah

Body: SUV Speed: Max speed 160 mph Fuel economy: 5.8 litres per 100 km

Body: Saloon Speed: 0-70mph in 4.8 seconds Fuel economy: 9 litres per 100 km

the company began to run at a profit for the first time and it opened its first showroom in Accra’s Achimota district - gives him hope Kantanka can succeed in Ghana and around the world.

The endlessly creative Kwado Safo even has an electric Kantanka car in the pipeline. Now that really would be a boon for Ghana’s smog-soaked streets.

For more information on the Kantanka range, visit www.kantankaautomobile.com FLYafrica

19

TECHcorner

Watch out for the latest in fitness trackers Statistics show that about 50 per cent of people who start a fitness programme will drop it within six months. It’s a big problem, but one with a very small solution. Watch-sized fitness trackers help you stay accountable and motivated. FLYafrica reveals four of the best on the market.

Garmin Vivosmart HR+ An attractive option for athletes. The Vivosmart HR+ brings GPS, a heart rate monitor, sleep tracking and automatic workout tracking. Runners will love the built-in GPS and special features that include personal records, a virtual pacer and running routes via the Garmin Connect app. When you turn on GPS, the battery takes a hit down to eight hours but the Vivosmart HR+ usually gets an impressive five days of battery life before it conks out. You can sync with the app to view more detailed metrics and see an overview of your progress over time.

WHO’S IT FOR: Serious dedicated runners who care more for statistics than style.

Price: Starting at US$ 130

20

Apple Watch Series 3 It’s not cheap, but there’s little argument the Apple Watch Series 3 is the most versatile and feature-packed fitness trainer out there, compatible with every major fitness app.

Chief among the Series 3 improvements are the option of linking it to your phone network to make and receive calls, send messages and even stream music. This adds another US$ 100 to an already considerable price tag, but brings a level of freedom no other smartwatch can currently match.

Fitness-oriented features include GPS tracking, an altimeter that records changes in altitude and onboard heart rate monitoring. It’s also waterproof down to 50 metres and offers support for various types of workout such as tabata.

WHO’S IT FOR: Any iPhone user looking for a full-featured smartwatch that also tracks fitness activity.

Price: US$ 329-429

Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro The Gear Fit2 has been given an upgrade. The Pro version is waterproof so it can track your swims; or you can just wear it in the shower.

It has Wi-Fi and GPS so you can leave your phone safely at home while you go for a run. It also has 4 GB of internal storage for music, can run Spotify offline and can be paired directly with a pair of Bluetooth headphones. Its clearcrystal display shows you the duration of your workout, distance covered, calories burnt, pace, average speed and heart rate. Upon finishing, your statistics are automatically beamed across to Samsung’s S Health app for Android. It certainly works hard at motivating you. It will urge you to keep up your efforts, even if you’re walking to the train station, and if it notices you’ve been sitting still for too long, it prods you to get moving and will even monitor your coffee intake.

WHO’S IT FOR: Active people who like to add in some swims to their fitness regime. There isn’t another fitness tracker that is offering the same set of features.

Price: US$ 200

Fitbit Versa The Fitbit brand is synonymous with fitness trackers and its latest release, the Versa, looks set to broaden its appeal even further. It’s packed with features, but incredibly light and slim, so it won’t get in the way of any activity you prefer, even swimming – the Fitbit Versa is waterproof to 50 metres, a marked improvement on its water-shy predecessor, the Ionic.

Like any Fitbit, the Versa actively amasses daily activity data such as the number of steps taken, calories burned and stairs climbed while also monitoring heart rate. With the latter, if your heart rises while at rest – for example, during a particularly stressful period at work – it will guide you through breathing exercises to bring it down. Other features include a four-day battery life and the ability to store over 300 songs. On top of all that, it’s a stylish smartwatch with more than a cheeky nod to the look of the Apple Watch. A superior and stylish fitness tracker.

WHO’S IT FOR: Dedicated athletes looking for all-day fitness tracking and a solid selection of smartwatch features.

Price: From US$ 199 (US$ 229 for the Special Edition)

FLYafrica

21

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

Stocks trim mid-year high valuations Market awaits third quarter earnings as banks recapitalise

The GSE Composite Index went up 52.73% in 2017 and had risen a

very strongly in the first half of 2018 but enthusiasm peaked in April. High valuations, rather

Source: GSE, SAS Research, 31st August 2018

further 35.26% by 30 April.

45.00%

Share prices on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) performed

Selected Market Indices

Major indices, the GSE Composite Index and the SAS Index, are still up for the year, closing August

30.00%

with year to date (YTD) gains of 12.32% and 16.47%, respectively.

than generally weak business

More stocks are actually up rather

and company fundamentals

than down on the stock market

and earnings, have constrained

this year. Advancers dominated

further strong gains in the stock

decliners 18 to 10 by the end

market in the past few months.

of August while 14 stocks were

15.00%

0.00% 2 Jan 2 Feb 2 Mar 2 Apr 2 May 2 Jun

GSE-CI

SAS-I

2 Jul 2 Aug

SAS-FI

Corporate earnings and actions so far Societe Generale announced a GH¢97 m bonus issue (1 for 6) and a GH¢170 m rights issue.

Ecobank Transnational announced a 49% year-onyear jump in Net Profit to US$ 91 m for first quarter 2018, on revenue of US$465 m. (ETI: up 31.25%).

Tullow Oil announced a judgment against it in the English Commercial Court for terminating a rig contract in 2016 and a net liability of US$140 m. The amount was fully provisioned for in 2017.

22

Benso Oil Palm Plantation declared a dividend of GH¢0.0628 (20% of EPS) per share for 2017. Revenue for the first half of 2018 was reported at GH¢45.91 m, down 15.6% yearon-year. Net profit fell 35.3% to GH¢5.50 m. (BOPP: up 18.30%).

Access Bank listed 55.85 m additional shares on the GSE following a rights issue that raised GH¢ 221.18 m (73.7% of the Offer).

Agricultural Development Bank reported a 4.99% drop year-onyear in revenue to GH¢194.75 m for the first half of 2018. Net

Profit dropped by 58.77% to GH¢20.56 m. In July, the central bank annulled the acquisition of shares by four institutional investors in ADB in bank’s IPO in 2016. (ADB: up 1.88%).

first half of the year, growth of 2.58% year-on-year. Net Profit increased 10.9% to GH¢157.37 m. The bank also announced a GH¢190 m bonus issue (1 for 10).

(EGH: up 18.03%).

First half Net Profit at CAL Bank increased by 3.8% year-on-year to GH¢76.24 m. Revenue was reported at GH¢233.71 m, up 3.5%. CAL Bank capitalized GH¢250 m of its income surplus, including a 1 for 7 bonus issue, to increase its stated capital to GH¢350 m. (CAL: up 1.85%).

GCB Bank reported strong revenue growth of 7.51% year-onyear to GH¢566.32 m for the first half. Net Profit declined 16.8% to GH¢87.98 m. (GCB: up 5.94%).

Ecobank Ghana reported revenue of GH¢585.98 m for the

Fan Milk’s Revenue for first half 2018 declined 6.4% year-on-year

Standard Chartered Bank issued 19.25 m new shares in a 1 for 6 bonus issue. (SCB: up 3.05%).

unchanged from January. Notable

12%, the stock is expected to

advancers were PZ Cussons (up

trade well.

150% YTD), SIC Insurance (up 120%), Mechanical Lloyd (up 50%), and Societe Generale (up 44%). All the listed banks show

Treasury yields have traded mixed this year

price appreciation except Access

In the fixed income market,

Bank (down 3.5%) and Trust Bank

treasury yields have posted mixed

Gambia (down 26%). Aluworks

performance amid continuing

(down 50%) led decliners as it

policy easing. Monthly inflation

seeks a strategic investor.

prints have been mixed, with a recent bias towards the upside,

The performance of stock

due to upward adjustments of fuel

prices for the rest of the year is

prices and significant weakening

expected to be driven largely

of the cedi against major trading

by the strength of the October/

currencies in the mid year. The

November reporting season for

central bank reduced its policy

third-quarter earnings rather

rate further to 17% in May.

than multiples expansion.

Short-term treasury yields

Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) Number of Listed Securities

GH¢55.97 Billion

Top 5 Companies by Market Value Tullow Oil Anglogold Ashanti Ecobank Transnational Standard Chartered Bank Ecobank Ghana

GH¢ Million 16,486.68 15,138.45 5,054.23 3,506.42 2,893.28

Source: GSE, SAS Equities Desk, 31st August 2018 Market Activity Top Advancers PZ Cussons SIC Insurance Mechanical Lloyd Societe Generale Unilever Ghana

Open 0.20 0.10 0.06 0.82 12.84

Close Change 0.50 150.00% 0.22 120.00% 0.09 50.00% 1.18 43.90% 17.81 38.71%

Top Decliners Aluworks Produce Buying Company Starwin Products Tullow Oil

Ayrton Drugs

Open 0.16 0.06 0.03 17.15 0.10

Close Change 0.08 -50.00% 0.04 -33.33% 0.02 -33.33% 12.00 -30.03% 0.07 -30.00%

Record-setting sale of MTN Ghana shares

have been net offered. Fixed

The two-month initial public

to listed corporate notes and

GH¢ Exchange Rates

offering of MTN Ghana shares

bonds, as well as high-yielding

closed on 31 July, raising GH¢

fixed deposit products sold by

1.15 billion from Ghanaian

non-bank financial institutions

and non-Ghanaian retail and

at significant spreads over

institutional investors. Although

treasuries, and at the long-end to

only 33% subscribed, the IPO is the

government bonds.

Currency U.S. Dollar Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen S/African Rand Euro Chinese Renminbi Naira

largest-ever equity capital market transaction on the stock market.

income investors have been generally partial at the short-end

Government bond yields are trading lower than January but

42

Total Market Value

Source: SAS Equities Desk, 31st August 2018

Avg Open Avg Close Change 4.42 4.72 -6.98% 5.97 6.13 -2.81% 3.52 3.62 -2.91% 0.04 0.04 -8.54% 0.36 0.32 10.10% 5.30 5.50 -3.75% 0.68 0.69 -2.32% 69.40 64.73 6.72%

Source: Bank of Ghana, SAS Research, 31st August 2018

MTN is one of Ghana’s largest

have started to harden recently in

Money Market Rates

companies and best-known

line with higher inflation expecta-

brands. The financials show

tions. The average yield on the

strong historical growth and a

10-year bond at the end of August

dividend paying history. With

was 17.5% versus 16.35% quoted at

a relatively small free float of

the beginning of the year.

AIBOR 91 Day Tbill 182 Day Tbill 1 Yr Note 2 Yr Note

Open 19.20% 13.33% 13.78% 15.00% 17.50%

Close Change 16.23% -2.97% 13.33% 0.00% 13.87% 0.09% 14.50% -0.50% 16.00% -1.50%

Source: Bank of Ghana, SAS Fixed Income Desk, 31st August 2018 Bond Yields

to GH¢217.84 m. Net Profit fell 34.2% to GH¢17.83 m. (FML: down 24.29%).

Unilever posted revenue growth of 16.7% year-on-year to GH¢329.75 m for the first half of 2018. Net profit increased 14.5% to GH¢22.16 m. Earlier, Unilever announced the payment of a final dividend of GH¢0.25 per share (32.5% of EPS) for 2017, a 400% increase over 2016.

GOIL declared a dividend of GH¢0.028 per share for 2017.

The company reported revenue growth of 11.6% year-on-year to GH¢2.29 billion for the first

half. Net Profit climbed 26.0% to GH¢52.6 m. (GOIL: up 11.15%).

TOTAL announced a final dividend of GH¢0.0701 for 2017, for a total dividend for 2017 of GH¢0.1332 per share (42.7% of EPS). The petroleum marketer reported a 36.21% year-on-year jump in first half Net Profit, to GH¢23.01 m.

Revenue for the half was GH¢1.11 b, up 22.98%. (TOTAL: up 31.16%).

Republic Bank raised GH¢255 m in an over-subscribed rights issue.

(RBGH: up 6.47%).

3 Yr Bond 5 Yr Bond 7 Yr Bond 10 Yr Bond

Avg Open Avg Close 16.57% 18.00% 16.30% 16.50% 15.98% 16.25% 16.35% 17.50%

Change 1.43% 0.20% 0.28% 1.15%

Source: SAS Fixed Income Desk, 31st August 2018

Find out more Strategic African Securities Limited, 14th Floor, World Trade Centre, Independence Avenue, Accra Tel: +233 302 661 990 / 770 / 900 / 008 Email: info@sasghana.com, research@sasghana.com www.sasghana.com FLYafrica 23

bwoy TOP

Ghanaian megastar Stonebwoy on what makes his musical spirit come alive Stonebwoy – the stage name of Livingstone Etse Satekla – is one of Ghana’s biggest dancehall and reggae stars. The 29-year-old, who is on the country’s Zylofon Media label, talks to FLYafrica’s Mark Edwards about his earliest musical influences growing up in Accra’s Ashaiman district and forging the BHIM! Nation.

24

All Stonebwoy pictures courtesy of Zylofon Media

NEW DEAL Stonebwoy signs for Zylofon Media

Q: What was the first music that influenced you and how did you express yourself through music when you were at school?

A: Highlife and reggae and dancehall music influenced me all together from

‘My style is unique [and part of] a new kind of wave that the reggae and dancehall audience worldwide have started to appreciate ’ LATEST

RELEASE Epistles of Mama

the onset. I expressed myself at those early times by imitating and emulat-

A: Absolutely. My siblings and

ing those songs and artistes, beating

mother supported me immensely,

desks and singing and rapping and

emotionally and with their little

just entertaining my folks both from

tokens. They have had to pay for my

school, church and home.

tuition while in Senior High School. I have supported them back willingly

Q: When did you develop your rap

and wholeheartedly as my obliga-

battle skills? I heard that you were

tion as the first son. All through

never beaten when you battled on

when I started making a penny until

Kasahare Level on Adom FM. Is that

now.

part of your drive to be a success, you don’t like to be beaten?

Q: Dancehall and reggae are hugely popular in Ghana. What do you put

A: Not at all. Even if I lose I’m

that down to?

Q: It must please you that your music has been welcomed in

winning. But I attribute it all to God, who’s given me that uniqueness and

A:. I put it down to the fact that it

blessings.

may have started in Jamaica, but

Jamaica – and all over the world.

remember it started from black

A: Yeah, surely, because it’s my

Q: It seems your family always

slaves from the west coast of Africa

wish to grow out of my comfort

supported your musical ambitions.

and the roots of these genres of

zone, which is manifesting by the

How important is that for you and

music remain forever in Africa, espe-

mercies of God and hard work,

do you support them in turn now

cially West Africa, and I’m privileged

though I believe there’s more room

that you are a successful artist?

in that manner to be a Ghanaian.

for improvement. My style is very

FLYafrica 25

Q: Your latest album, ‘Epistles of Mama’, makes use of a number of local artists. Do you think Ghanaian music is in good health and there is a lot of talent out there?

A: Yeah, Ghanaian music is surely the foundation of today’s Afrobeats gone wild that shows you there are many more gems from here.

Examples include Kelvyn Boy, who is managed by [the Stonebwoy-run record label] Burniton Music Group, Epixode, Jupiter, DxD and many more.

Q. What does the future hold for Stonebwoy? Can you tell us about the latest projects you’re working on? unique [and a part of] a new kind of

production in Ghana. Why did you

wave that the reggae and dancehall

get involved?

audience worldwide have started to

FUTURE Stonebwoy is always working on new projects

A. The future must be bright as we work towards throwing more light,

A: Skills and know-how makes

energy and hard work into it. I’m

it possible for us to create and

currently working on singles and

Q: Your recent single ‘Tomorrow’

produce. That way we have a better

albums for future release.

has a strong message. What

livelihood and farming is one of

inspired you to write it?

the key areas mankind can’t [do

appreciate.

without]. If the old and aged have A: The struggles of life at every level

been farming cocoa for all these

is eminent and evident, but so many

years and that’s the outcome, how

seem to just get caught up in the

much [better] when the youth get

quest to show off to seem accom-

involved? It can only be greater and

plished. But there are true realities

for this reason I joined MASO.

that are faced on the day-to-day basis at every level in every man’s life

Q: Where do you like to go in Ghana

which is what I intended to empha-

to relax and have fun away from the

sise with ‘Tomorrow’ as a creative

busy life of a music star?

musical piece.

A: [I head to the] countryside to Q: Your catchphrase is ‘BHIM!’ or

enjoy the great views, waterfalls and

‘Bless His Imperial Majesty’. Can you

beaches.

explain more about it and how it works as a mantra to fire you up in life and on stage?

A: Surely. It’s an explosive sounds that awakens the spirits from within to continue to push and progress towards delivering great musical masterpieces and standing up to the occasions in life. While at it, I can’t forget to thank God the Creator and ‘Bless His Imperial Majesty’ for all and all.

Q: You are a brand ambassador for MASO, a programme to get more young people involved in cocoa 26

Stonebwoy’s biggest tracks ‘Pull Up’ This high-energy banger with its crowd-pleasing chorus took over the dance floors in 2012. The video was shot in Stonebwoy’s home town of Ashaiman.

‘Most Original’ As evidence that Stonebwoy’s talent has been recognised by the biggest stars from home of dancehall Jamaica, Grammy award-winning singer and producer Sean Paul joined in on this track, taken from Stonebwoy’s latest album, ‘Epistles of Mama’.

‘Bawasaaba’ Another ‘Epistles of Mama’ cut, the title of this bubbly dance track means ‘Not Easy’ in Hausa, one of the most popular languages in West and Central Africa.

‘Get Down’ This irresistible Stonebwoy and rapper Agbeshie collaboration is a great track to bust out your best Azonto moves to.

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PRINCELLA BECOMING FOOTBALL ROYALTY IN GHANA

By Mark Edwards

F

or Princella Adubea, the

But it was not to be.

brightest star of women’s

Injury means Princella will

football in Ghana, this year

not travel with the team. She

has been one of incredible highs

is likely to be out of the game for

and lows.

six months.

The 19-year-old winger has

But there are deeper concerns

dazzled on the pitch for National

about what, once recovered, she will

Women’s League champions

be returning to. Football in Ghana is

Ampem Darkoa, scoring 19 goals in

undergoing a ‘sanitisation’ following

just her second season for the club.

a recent corruption scandal involv-

She has carried that form forward for

ing top officials and referees of the

her country, too, captaining the Black

Ghana Football Association. The GFA

Princesses, Ghana’s under-20 nation-

is currently under a court injunction

al team, through to the Women’s

sought by the Ghanaian government,

World Cup in France in August.

which has insisted on overhauling the

Footballer of the Year

that all official football games and

A string of prestigious awards,

competitions, including the local

including Women’s Footballer of the

topflight, have since been indefi-

Year at the Ghana Football Awards

nitely suspended. For players like

and Best Sports Woman at the

Princella and many others, who make

People’s Celebrity Awards, came her

a very modest income through their

way, marking the season of her life. It

football, the games ban puts their

was a season that should have ended

livelihood at risk.

with Princella showing the world

28

association. The immediate result is

You might expect Princella to cut

her skills in France. After all, it was

a frustrated figure, but she has a

her 10 goals – making her joint top

deep Christian faith on her side as

scorer in the qualifiers – that helped

well as youth. Since she was a young

the Black Princesses reach their fifth

girl who loved to play football,

consecutive World Cup appearance.

Princella has had to overcome many

CAPTAIN Princella leads the Black Princesses

pleading to our officials to make sure the league is restored.”

Princella’s empathy for the footballmad schoolchildren is not surprising.

As a guaranteed goal scorer, Princella’s rise through the ranks of Ghanaian women’s football has been rapid and now she is considered

She was once one of them, playing

the country’s best player. It’s clear,

with the boys around her neigh-

though, that such acclaim won’t go

bourhood in the Brong-Ahafo

to her head.

Region. Her talent was recognised

“All thanks to God for the talent.

by local scout I.K. Twumasi,

I am always happy because there

who brought her to the town of

are many women in the country, but

Nkoranza where she attended

I have been chosen as the best in

the Sunyani Senior High School

my country. You know, God blesses

and played for her first team.

everyone in His own way and as its

Princella says she has seen a huge rise in recognition of

God’s will to be the best now I won’t be pompous about it. I am just hoping

CHAMPIONS Princella with her Ampem Darkoa teammates

women’s football in Ghana over the years. “I have so much appreciation for the leaders and sport officials who have developed women’s football in Ghana,” she says. “We are recognised in Ghana in football terms at awards ceremonies and it is encouraging to young women. In Techiman [where she plays for Ampem Darkoa] they love women’s football. As we play in the league, we gain some income from On missing the World Cup, she accepts it as the Lord’s will. “Maybe He wants to provide a chance for someone else,” she

the tickets sold and use the income from the tickets for our livelihood.”

‘Football is what I do’ Still, growing up she encountered a fair amount of opposition as a woman following her footballing

I have so much appreciation for the leaders and sport officials who have developed women’s football in Ghana

says. “When you stay at home

passion. “People [would try to]

without playing, you increase in size

discourage me and some [would

and praying I will make my country

and gain weight. It affects me, but

tell me] you won’t be able to get

proud as Marta [Marta Vieira da Silva,

no situation is permanent. We over-

married and your beauty will

often regarded as the best women’s

come every depression that comes

fade away, but those words never

player of all time] of Brazil has done.”

our way. My physician told me I will

discouraged me. I was encouraged

recover in six months. I may miss the

by my twin brothers and my parents,

already reached at such a young age,

World Cup, but there is always light

who always supported me.”

it is clear she will never forget her

at the end of the tunnel.”

Whatever criticism came

Despite the heights she has

beginnings. Evidence of that is her

Princella’s way, it never affected her

ambition to set up a foundation to

in the way football could. “Football

help the needy. “I am hoping to get

As for the football ban in Ghana, her

is what I do, what I eat and every-

money and people who will help me

concern is not so much for herself

thing,” she says.

set this up,” she says.

Recognition for women

but for school-age youngsters

Such passion for the game is

EMPTY Football in Ghana has been hit with a ban

One imagines if Princella applies

whose teams are dependent on the

evident in the way she plays it. As

the same discipline and determina-

money the league brings in.

her scoring record suggests, she is a

tion to it as she has her football

natural goal poacher, with a hunter’s

career it will thrive.

“Some teams consist of talented

Nataly Reinch/Shutterstock.com

obstacles.

schoolchildren,” says Princella. “It

eye for the net. “Everyone has a role

may be that the manager uses the

to play on the field,” says Princella.

of the year says: “Humility and hard

As Ghana’s women’s footballer

football management income to

“Whenever I am on the field of

work is the key to success.”

take care of the kids. If there is a

play I make sure I score a goal. As

pause in league or tournaments I

a forward on the pitch you have to

Follow Princella on Instagram at

worry [what will happen]. We are

score goals.”

adubea10_gh FLYafrica 29

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WAYS TO

get fit in Lagos

Tired of the treadmill?

Try these fun fitness ideas

F

eel like your workouts are

be the answer. The dance-based

move well and Safari Dance classes

getting stale and captivating

classes have a soundtrack of infec-

bring a range of African dance styles

neither your muscles nor your

tious Latin rhythms that make you

to fitness classes. You can azonto

mind? Sounds like you need to get

want to move. This is a high-intensity

your way to sculptured abs.

some fun back into your fitness and

workout where every move is synced

Lagos offers plenty of unusual oppor-

to a beat. Bodyline Gym, in Bank

tunities to inject interest into your

Road, offers a new kind of Zumba,

weekly regime. Here is FLYafrica’s

Strong, which adds muscle condi-

Intensati at Proflex Gym

pick of fitness classes near you that

tioning to the cardio dance frenzy.

IntenSati is a workout developed by

are certainly not run-of-the-mill.

Venue: 6 Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

American spiritual teacher Patricia

Yoga at Chi’s Yoga Yoga has arrived in Lagos and Chi’s

Safari Dance at Fuzion Fitness Centre

Yoga prides itself on tailoring person-

Bringing Zumba to Nigeria is a bit

strength conditioning with spoken

alised sessions, whether you’re an

like trying to introduce Italians to

affirmations. It’s a heart-pumping

advanced yoga practitioner or you

pizza. Nigerians already know how to

fitness class for mind and body.

Olugbade, Off Adeola Odeku, VI.

Moreno which fuses simple and highenergy moves drawn from aerobics, martial arts, dance, yoga and

don’t know your downward-facing

Venue: Rocky Island Complex,

dog from your dolphin pose. If you

20-24 Ozumba Mbadiwe

don’t feel ready for a class yet, you

Road, Lagos.

can practise with the experts online Venue: GQ Lagos, No 16 Oyinkan

Fencing at Bodyline Gym

Abayomi Drive, Former Queen’s

Fencing is a sport of

Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos.

etiquette and defer-

at Chi Yoga’s YouTube channel.

Strong Zumba at Bodyline Gym

30

Venue: The Homestores, 282 Akin MIX IT UP Try yoga or zumba

ence – surprising when the point appears to be to repeatedly stab

If you need inspiration to push you

your opponent. It’s

on your fitness journey, Zumba could

great fun, wonderful

spa Your Spa and Fitness has four sessions per week of these in-water sessions.

Venue: Plot 9/10 Block 2 Oniru Chieftaincy Estate, Ikoyi.

Pilates at Bodyworks Fitness Injuries can put a roadblock on any fitness journey, but a good way to bullet-proof yourself is regular pilates sessions. Pilates elongates and strengthens, improving muscle

Boxing at Elite Boxing

elasticity and joint mobility. A body

Boxing used to have an image of big bruisers pummelling the living daylights out of each other, but no more. It’s now a very on-trend and glamorous way of getting fit. Many Victoria’s Secret models attribute their lissom physiques to a spot of boxing in their fitness regimes. Elitebox, the first and only boutique boxing gym in Lagos, claims to test and develop mental fortitude, endurance, upper and lower body strength. “There’s no more room for boring workouts once you enter our realm,” it says.

Venue: Victoria Island, Ibukun House, Plot 1637 Adetokunbo Ademola, opposite Eko Hotels and Suites.

with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured. Regular sessions will keep you feeling lithe and pilates studio Bodyworks Fitness offers sessions from Monday to Saturday.

Venue:3, Obafemi Anibaba Street, Off Admiralty Road, Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos

Karate at Collins Karate Network Karate teaches you self-defence, always useful in a big city, as well as developing patience, courage, self-

for your concentration and balance

Aqua Zumba at Your Spa and Fitness

confidence, self-control, strength,

Getting kitted is expensive, so it’s

The year-round heat in Lagos can

becoming the biggest martial arts

best to join a club such as Bodyline

sap your energy for a training

school in Nigeria, offers sessions

Gym, which has weekly classes, and

session, so getting your fitness fix

for all levels and ages led by Sensei

use its equipment.

in lovely cooling water sounds like

Collins, a black belt who was a gold

Venue: 6 Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

a great idea. Step forward Aqua

medallist at the Lagos State Sports

Physical, which trains your core

Festival in 2005.

strength and flexibility on float-

Venue: 35, Pioneer Tekof Street,

ing fitness mats. Fitness club and

Lekki.

and a sure-fire way to add strength and stamina to your fitness levels.

CrossFit at Crossfit Jagun CrossFit is the fitness phenom-

flexibility, calmness and concentration. Collins Karate Network, fast

enon taking over the world – and that includes Lagos. The sport’s fusion of Olympic lifting, cardio and gymnastics is billed as the blueprint for building the fittest people on the planet. It looks tough, but all exercises can be scaled to suit any fitness level and you’ll be spurred on by coaches and fellow classmates.

CrossFit Jagun bills itself as the number one CrossFit affiliate gym in Lagos and is an ideal place to start.

Venue: Victoria

CROSSFIT The blueprint for total fitness

island, Lagos.

FLYafrica

31

NOW THAT’S WHAT WE CALL

retail therapy…

By Kwesi Ohene

Lose yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Kejetia Market

K

ejetia Market is a place to lose yourself in. The vibrant 30-acre sprawl of more than

Down among its labyrinthine

The market is certainly more manoeuvrable and secure than it

passageways, however, it throbs with

used to be. Recent years have seen it

10,000 stalls – with nearly four times

human life. Many Kumasi residents use

modernised with larger car parking

as many people working there – is

the market every day, so wide is its

facilities, improved sewage and sani-

the largest open-air market in Africa.

range of goods at reasonable prices.

tation facilities and more resources

This feast for the senses is the

The herbal medicine, spices and

for the site’s fire station to deal with

beating heart of Kumasi, dominating

handmade soap area of the market

blazes, which have been a problem

the centre of Ghana’s second city

is flanked by the railway station –

in the past.

every day of the year and attracting

although the market is so dense and

traders from all over West Africa. Its

noisy that visitors may be unaware of

Grab a guided tour

stalls offer everything from freshly

its proximity – which brings in shop-

A good introduction to Kejetia

made food, second-hand shoes,

pers and stallholders from around

Market is a guided tour. The Ghana

clothes, live animals, plastic knick-

Ghana.

Tourism Authority or your hotel

knacks, glass beads, strips of kente

For tourists and travellers, the

should be able to sort one out for

cloth, Ashanti sandals, batik and

market may seem daunting and

you. Despite – or perhaps because of

bracelets to voodoo remedies.

chaotic at first, but there’s plenty of

– the congestion, jostling, noise and

method in its madness. The layout

riot of colour everywhere you look,

is organised into different sections

a visit to the market remains one of

From above, the huge circular

such as the beads line, the shoe and

the best opportunities to experience

encampment with its rusting

clothes arcade, the fabric line and

a slice of authentic Ghana. Guides

tin roofs and brightly coloured

the food area, so finding what you’re

know their way around the market

sunshades is like an alien spacecraft

after is not so hard.

and can help communicate with

Method in its madness

32

that has landed in the city.

All images: Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock.com

COMMERCE AND CHAOS Kejetia Market has more than 10,00 stalls

the vendors, hone your bargaining

A RIOT OF COLOUR A vendor at the market in Kumasi

A guide can also help you learn

etiquette (polite haggling is encour-

more about an element of West

aged ) and explain some of the more

African culture that is often misun-

obscure trades.

derstood: voodoo. You’ll explore

You can go on a tour that focuses

among the table tops of sacks of

A visit to the market remains one of the best opportunities to experience a slice of authentic Ghana

on a particular part of the market

dead bats, piles of dried snake skin,

that appeals. Wandering around

white clay and shrunken reptile skulls

Kejetia Market is bound to make you

and learn about the mysterious,

it’s also a centre of innovation.

hungry with its bubbling pots of

ancient rituals of the religion with the

Once you’ve chosen your cloth, you

stew and carts full of bananas, yams,

help of a guide and a local voodoo

can get a made-to-measure outfit

fresh meat and aromatic herbs and

priest. If you desire, the priest will

whipped up in under five hours to

spices, so why not consider a food

give you a personal consultation.

meet your exact specifications. Such

tour? You’ll learn how to barter for

innovation is also evident in the work

the best ingredients and take part

Kente cloth

in a cooking class to learn how to

The Ashanti heritage of Kumasi

who form a vital part of the local

prepare a traditional Ghanaian meal.

is visible in the market, too, with

economy in Kumasi. Visitors can

The market is packed with street

stalls in the textiles area – one of

watch as they take recyclable materi-

food vendors, so take the chance

the market’s calmest spots – selling

als and turn them into jewellery and

to try Kumasi favourite Kose, a fried

a huge range of kente cloth, the

arts and crafts.

bean flour cake, or cool down with a

legendary fabric worn by African

frozen yoghurt or ice cream carried

kings down the centuries and recog-

sounds and smells of Kumasi at

nonchalantly by vendors in ice boxes

nisable by its stamped symbols.

Kejetia Market – and grab yourself a

on their heads.

While the market nods to tradition,

of the market’s scrap metal traders,

BALANCING ACT A market vendor

Immerse yourself in the sights,

bargain in the process.

FLYafrica 33

SMALL BUT

STYLISH Ghana’s best boutique hotels

Ghana has a growing number of alluring boutique hotels ranging from rural retreats to sleek city bolt-holes with destination restaurants. Here at FLYafrica we have rounded up three of the very best.

Villa Monticello Accra

BESPOKE TOUCHES Villa Monticello

Just a stone’s show from Kotoka International Airport and a five-minute drive from Accra city centre, Villa Monticello delivers a truly personal service. Four-time winner of the World Travellers’ Award, this exclusive retreat has 16 individually designed suites with interiors inspired by legends and landmarks such as the Nelson Mandela Presidential Suite (with a Jacuzzi and kitchenette), Londolozi and Out of Africa. The bespoke services continue with access to the Koncierge, an in-house service providing tailormade travel itineraries for your Ghana adventure and a chauffeur service.

And if you visit the hotel’s state-of-the-art gym there will be a personal trainer there to design and oversee your workout.

Other welcome high-end touches include 100 per cent Egyptian cotton bed sheets and Acqua di Parma toiletries in the luxury bathrooms.

Pampered guests don’t have to go far for some of the best food in Accra.

The hotel’s restaurant, Chapter One, is a hot ticket for locals, expats and business travellers alike. Executive chef Ruby Paintsil fuses European elegance and Ghanaian tradition in mains such as lobster bisque and ravioli with brandy and chive cream and braised tiger snail and spinach risotto. The restaurant is located within the elegant surroundings of Villa Monticello and provides a welcome respite from busy city life.

For more information, visit: villamonticello.com 34

EXOTIC ESCAPE Peduase Valley Resort

Peduase Valley Resort Aburi The soulful town of Aburi is just 30 minutes from Kotoka International Airport but a world away from the bustle of Accra. Here you’ll find the striking glass-fronted Peduase Valley Resort sequestered amid tropical gardens and offering an exotic escape from the stress of daily city life.

The hotel offers a variety of ways to relax and unwind, including a spa, a gym, a gorgeous outdoor pool and a sports courtyard for tennis or basketball. You can even pet away your stresses with a zoo on site full of animals to be stroked and fed.

There are more chances to unplug and enjoy yourself at the hotel’s dining and drinking establishments. The Baobab restaurant, with its striking modern African interior, offers a buffet of local and international favourites created by its award-winning chef. The Cinnamon and Bamboo terrace lounge and sports bar provides cosy seating in the outdoor courtyard and a shisha lounge, while the Cocoa Bar is an intimate space to enjoy cocktails and bar snacks.

The hotel’s 38 air conditioned rooms all come with flatscreen TV, bath and shower and free high-speed Wi-Fi. They include the Hibiscus rooms, with opulent touches such as a four-poster bed and in-room bathtub.

For more information, visit: peduase-valley-resort.com

OASIS A perfect retreat

La Villa Boutique Osu, Accra Described as ‘an oasis in the heart of the city’, La Villa Boutique Hotel is cloistered in verdant greenery in the heart of Osu, the primary commercial district of Accra. It’s the perfect retreat for a spontaneous romantic getaway, relaxing city break or business stopover, yet only moments away from the main government ministries, embassies and endless attractions of metropolitan life.

A lot of work has gone into the hotel’s interior, which is festooned with striking and carefully crafted artworks. The restaurant serves innovative breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes prepared with fresh ingredients. Choose to dine indoors or take to the courtyard terrace, which is picturesquely illuminated at night by the underwater lighting of the swimming pool.

In addition to the pool, the hotel has a gym to maintain your fitness levels.

For more information, visit: lavillaghana.com FLYafrica 35

IT PAYS TO GROW

Smarter Kwesi Ohene reveals the ingenious app that is helping to transform the lives – and profits – of cocoa farmers in Ghana.

M

uhammed Suleman’s life has been transformed. The cocoa farmer from Sefwi Madina in the remote Western

North region of Ghana had been toiling on his small farm for the past 25 years, never producing more than seven bags a year.

But last year he harvested 25 bags and is now far better able to support his wife and 10 children.

App increases farmers’ yields The reason for the change in fortunes? The Olam Farmer Information System (OFIS) run by Olam Cocoa, the world’s largest buyer of cocoa beans and cocoa products. The OFIS app collects farm data and uses algorithms to make personalised recommendations to farmers like Muhammed about how to increase their yields.

Products are tracked when leaving the farm and farmers can check cocoa prices and trade online, achieving a better price for their crops.

Among the advice Muhammed has received is how to graft fresh branches onto ageing cocoa trees, the most efficient and environmentally friendly methods of applying fertiliser and the techniques of integrated pest management. Ecosystem, wildlife and

36

DIGITAL ANSWER Simon Brayn-Smith

other companies like the confec-

depending on what each farmer can

tionery brands, poverty among

afford.

cocoa farmers is still immense,”

Olam Cocoa uses this data to create bespoke Farm Development Plans (FDPs) at the click of a button

Bryan-Smith says farmers without

says Brayn-Smith. “Change hasn’t

this knowledge can be a danger to

happened fast enough. Digital tools

the environment and the future of

are based around the idea that the

their own profession: “Without this

best way to help farmers is if you

kind of advice, many farmers end

can give support that is absolutely

up wasting fertiliser or not applying

tailored to their farm. However,

it at all because of the cost. If yields

until we developed GPS mapping

don’t increase, it can also bring

through OFIS, this would rely on

deforestation risks as smallholders

Olam Cocoa team members going

look to expand their cocoa farm area

to each tiny farm and calculat-

to produce more cocoaº. Preventing

ing everything about the farm by

this from happening is essential

hand, which is hugely time- and

for holding back climate change,

labour-intensive.”

which is already impacting cocoa

Now the field technicians survey and record key data points on

production.”

individual cocoa farms such as the

Hands-on advice

number and age of trees, average

Olam Cocoa field staff will also visit

yields and GPS points for surround-

the farm to give hands-on advice on

water conservation as well as waste

ing local infrastructure such as

pruning cocoa trees. This is proven

management are all part of this

schools and health centres. Olam

to increase yields and can reduce

training with a view to protecting the

Cocoa uses this data to create

the need for pesticides and improve

landscape and farmland for future

bespoke Farm Development Plans

growth.

generations.

(FDPs) at the click of a button,

“The training I have received has

The staff will also be there for

giving cocoa farmers unique, local-

technically challenged farmers – the

showed me I don’t need to spray

ised strategies to improve produc-

average West African cocoa farmer

my cocoa so much with pesticides,

tivity and crop quality. More than

is over 50 years old – concerned

saving me a lot of money and

100,000 farmers worldwide have

that they will struggle to operate

helping me grow more cocoa,” says

signed up for OFIS.

the app. The staff will run through

Muhammed. “The technology has

The system is not only good

features such as receiving informa-

really helped to bring the world

for the farmers but also benefits

tion on pricing, weather and agri-

closer to me.”

the environment. Each farmer’s

culture tips straight to their mobile

personalised plan will have calcu-

phone via SMS.

Ghana may be the largest producer of cocoa in the world, but its

lated exactly how much fertiliser is

small-scale farmers still live close to

needed and how much it will cost

For more information on Olam

the poverty line. Simon Brayn-Smith,

and will provide various options

Coco, visit olamgroup.com

head of cocoa sustainability at Olam, believes digital initiatives such as OFIS are the answer. “Despite APP ANSWER The OFIS system

all the training and support for cocoa farmers, by Olam Cocoa and

Images courtesy of Olam International Limited

FLYafrica 37

FREE THINGS TO DO IN

Abuja

Eight fun things to do in Abuja without paying a penny Money may talk in wealthy Abuja, the purpose-built capital of Nigeria, with its high-rise business districts full of ministerial and multinational headquarters; but, unlike Lagos, it has plenty of green spaces where you can disconnect from the commercial bustle – and you don’t have to spend a kobo to enjoy them.

FLYafrica picks some of the city’s best free features.

2.

1.

Gaze out on Pedam Lake

This huge lake, sprawling towards Nasarawa State, is accessible through the Abuja Park and Zoo. Although it’s one of the biggest lakes in northern Nigeria, it’s not well used or even much known

by Abuja residents, so you can practically enjoy its beauty all by yourself. A serene spot for some contemplative ‘me time’.

38

See amazing Gurara Falls

Gurara Waterfalls, about an hour’s drive from Abuja, is a place of outstanding natural beauty and an ideal spot for a barbecue or picnic. When the River Gurara, a tributary of the Niger, runs high in the rainy season from May to October, scores of tributaries converge in the narrow rugged pass and plunge 30 metres from the cliffs in a raging torrent. Things calm down in the dry season, but it is still worth a visit as clear pools are formed at the bottom of the falls in which visitors can swim. The river is a good place for wildlife viewing, too, as the sparse, short grasses on its banks are a favourite feeding ground for cattle.

3.

Look up, way up, at Aso Rock

The modern city of Abuja, built in the 1980s, may be full of man-made monoliths and cloud-tickling high rises, but they’re all dwarfed by Aso Rock, a natural phenomenon 400 metres high formed by centuries of water erosion.

Since 1991, when the capital was moved from Lagos, the rock has become the location of the residence and office of the Nigerian president and the central business district of Abuja. The district’s Millennium Park offers good vantage points to see the rock, but its newly strategic position means a close-up look or an ascent will depend on permission from the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

Abuja residents are spoilt for green spaces and they make the most of them. At night they are abuzz with loud music, laughter and barbecues with drums of cold beer. None more so than the city’s largest public park, Millennium Park, commissioned by the Queen of England in 2004, which is the best place to soak up the fun and see the locals kick up their heels.

Onigbinde Raphael/Shutterstock.com

4.

Share in the fun at Millennium Park

The park is also a wonderful spot to visit in the daytime. Its paved and lit pathways, designed

by Italian architect Manfredi Nicoletti, are perfect for a stroll and some paths are flanked by fountains which cool the air as you explore.

There are wonderful conservation areas of rare flora to see as well as greenhouses full of tropical birds and butterflies.

5.

6.

Take in the view from Minister’s Hill

Join the hashers

A great way to socialise and see more of Abuja’s green spaces is to join the Capital City Hash Harriers. Launched in 2016 and describing itself as a ‘drinking club with a running problem’, the club organises runs, usually beginning and ending at a local watering hole, in Abuja every Thursday. To find the location of its next run and join in, visit the club’s Facebook site.

Minister’s Hill may be renowned for its billion-naira mansions and embassies, but the views over the city don’t cost a thing.

This range of hills is strategically located just beyond the outskirts of the swanky Maitama district and affords panoramic views of Abuja. The neighbouring Dutse range is a sanctuary for several forms of wildlife, including baboons, and is also worth exploring.

Uzoma Ozurumba | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-4.0

8.

Go for a run around Jabi Lake

This is the closest thing in Abuja to a beach resort. Located west of the city centre, the lake is a wonderful place to relax and there are plenty of shady spots where you can lie back with a good book or have a picnic. For the more energetic, there’s a path lined with clumps of bamboo that circuits the lake and is perfect for a jog. There are boats for hire, too, and a few brave souls do take a dip (remember, though, that the local ‘swimmers’ also include a resident crocodile population, so it may be wiser just to go for a run).

7.

See the rock that looks back at you

If you’re heading for a day trip to Gurara Falls, you’ll want to stop off at Zuma Rock on your journey on the Abuja-Kaduna road. You won’t miss it as the rock, also called the ‘Gateway to Abuja’, is 725 metres above sea level. As you approach, you will see how the natural contours of the rock face appear to project the image of a human face with a visible mouth, eyes and nose. Such anthropomorphic qualities have been seen to represent the deity and ancestral powers protecting and governing the Gwari people, the largest ethnic group in Abuja.

The natives of Gwari also believe the rock is a gateway to the afterlife and the apex of the rock can be seen to catch fire during heavy rain fall.

FLYafrica 39

GHANA

CELEBRATES A

‘life well lived’ Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary-General who died recently, was inspired to believe he could make radical changes to the world after Ghana’s independence. He went on to inspire many of his fellow Ghanaians to pursue their own peaceful path in life.

T

here has been a worldwide

and various imports.

outpouring of grief and

later about his time at

On 6 March 1957 the country

boarding school, Annan

tributes since the death of

won its independence and became

Kofi Annan, the first sub-Saharan

Ghana. The impact on Annan’s later

one of his most important lessons:

African to lead the United Nations,

life was considerable. “I walked away

“that suffering anywhere concerns

was announced in August.

as a young man convinced that

people everywhere”.

Nowhere has the mourning

said it was where he learnt

change is possible, even radical revo-

This humanitarian ethos ran deep

been more heartfelt than in Ghana,

lutionary change,” he told a group in

through his life’s work. When he

the 80-year-old diplomat’s home

Canada in 2012.

rose through the ranks of the UN

country. Flags flew at half mast for a

Annan went to Ghana’s leading

to become its leader, he put human

week as a mark of respect to a man

boarding school and later enrolled

rights at the core of its mission

described by President Nana Akufo-

in the University of Science and

and his work was recognised with

Addo, who visited Annan’s family the

Technology in Kumasi. He completed

week after his death, as “one of our

his undergraduate work in econom-

greatest compatriots”. The president

ics in the United States. Speaking

a Nobel peace prize. He became HANDOVER Kofi Annan with Ban Ki Moon

a scrum of admirers that surrounded him on holiday in Italy actually

to Ghanaians. Thousands of them

thought he was the American actor

state funeral held on September 13 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Annan’s own path began in a small

Martin Good/Shutterstock

said Annan had been an inspiration gathered to pay their respects at the

Morgan Freeman.

UN Secretary-General From 1997, in a 10-year tenure as UN Secretary-General, he streamlined

town called Bekwai, near Kumasi.

the institution, which was on the

He and his twin sister, Efua Atta,

brink of bankruptcy, cutting 1,000

were born in April 1938. The siblings’

jobs out of 6,000 positions at its

first names mean ‘born on a Friday’

New York headquarters, while also

in Akan, while their shared middle

trying to convince reluctant member

name means ‘twin’.

states to take responsibility for the world’s many tragedies.

Fante heritage His father was the elected governor of Ashanti province and a hereditary paramount chief of the Fante people.

At the time, Ghana was known as the Gold Coast, a British colony, and his father worked for a subsidiary of Unilever dealing in cocoa exports 40

known the world over, even though

In addition, he set up the

He put human rights at the core of its mission and his work was recognised with a Nobel peace prize

Millennium Goals – an ambitious set of priorities to meet by 2015, from halving rates of extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS. Such humanitarian endeavours were, however, spurred in part by regret for earlier failings. In 1993

Annan had risen to the post of Under Secretary-General and head of peacekeeping. The next year genocide engulfed Rwanda and in 1995 up to 8,000 Muslims were executed

by Serbian forces in a supposed UN safe area in Bosnia.

It emerged that Annan’s department had largely ignored warnings that the Rwandan genocide was being planned. On the 10th anniversary of the genocide, he acknowledged his shortcomings: “I realised after the genocide that there was more that I could, and should, have done to sound the alarm and rally support,” he said. “This painful memory, along with that of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has influenced much of my thinking, and many of my actions, as Secretary-General.”

Work beyond the UN His good deeds did not end when 2006. He set up the Kofi Annan Foundation, which promotes global sustainable development, security and peace, in 2007, and the next year brokered a crucial power-

joyfull/shutterstock

he stepped down as UN leader in

sharing agreement between Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga and

tried to find an end to the war. The

head of an independent commission

former president Mwai Kibaki put

next year, he was appointed chair of

investigating the Rohingya refugee

an end to the deadly post-election

the Elders, a group started by South

crisis in Myanmar and continued

violence.

Africa’s Nelson Mandela, which

to be vocal on issues like climate

In 2012 he was appointed Joint

brings together former world leaders

change into his 80th year.

Special Representative for Syria by

to work for peace and human rights.

the UN and the Arab League as they

As recently as 2016 he became

HUMAN RIGHTS AT HIS HEART Kofi Annan

As President Akufo Addo said in tribute: “His was a life well lived.”

Ghana pays tribute on Twitter André Ayew (Ghana and Swansea footballer):

Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana and Inter Milan footballer):

Saddick Adams Obama (sports journalist):

“Incredibly sad day to wake up to the news that the wonderful Kofi Annan is no longer with us – he was an extraordinary individual who committed his life to guiding the world to a better place. Rest well, sir. Ghana and Africa is proud of you.”

“He was an inspirational international diplomat with unique distinction. He will forever remain one of the greatest Africans of our time. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr Annan.”

“Mr Kofi Annan. Slow in speech, quick in thought and deep in wisdom. The man whose speech alone was enough to end wars. Never uttered a wrong word.

We Ghanaians truly put respect on this man’s name. This is a loss we may NEVER replace till thy kingdom come.”

FLYafrica

41

RUBY REWRITES THE BOOK ON

FINE DINING IN ACCRA

Ruby Paintsil has introduced fine dining to Ghana with Chapter One – the restaurant at award-winning boutique hotel Villa Monticello – and has shared her skills with a new generation of young chefs.

B

outique hotel Villa Monticello’s

and has won awards for her overhauling

restaurants and thinking ‘Is this it?’ I

hugely popular and influential

of hospitality facilities at the University of

decided I wanted to bring fine dining to

restaurant has a name, Chapter

Hertfordshire and the BBC. But it’s clear that

Accra because it didn’t exist.”

One, suggesting the start of a new story.

Chapter One means something special to

Certainly, it can claim to be the first estab-

her. For one thing, she is back in the country

Creating her own vision

lishment to introduce Accra to the delights

of her birth. She had lived in London since

One of the first people to be intrigued by

of fine dining. But for award-winning

1988, forging her career, but the death

Ruby’s vision was Laurie Awotwi, chief

executive chef Ruby Paintsil, whose idea

of her father in 2014 brought her back to

executive of Villa Monticello. She invited

it was to put a modern, healthy twist on

Ghana for the memorial service. Staying

Ruby in to prepare a Valentine’s Day special

traditional Ghanaian dishes, it’s the latest

in Accra, the lifelong foodie realised two

meal at the hotel’s restaurant, then called

venture in a 25-year career at the forefront

things: Ghana has an abundance of amazing

1A. “I did four courses,” recalls Ruby. “I really

of hospitality and catering across Europe

ingredients, but the skill set to conjure them

went to town with the dishes and at the end

and Africa.

into world-class dishes was missing.

Laurie told me ‘You know you can’t leave’.”

Ruby has worked with Michelin-starred chefs in some of London’s finest hotels 42

Ruby says: “I remember going out to lunch at one of Accra’s supposed best

Rosie was given free rein to create her own vision and menu for the new

OPULENT Chapter One

TALENTED TEAM In the kitchen

SHARING HER SKILLS Ruby Paintsil

restaurant, which opened in December

chilli, ginger, lime and coriander on butter

heavy, makes them far healthier and lighter.

2015, and she knew she wanted Ghana to

potatoes.

Ruby has a version of the popular diavolo

be at the heart of every dish.

Ruby raves about the quality of seafood

sauce, but with a much leaner meat, usually

she is able to source from a local supplier –

fillet of beef or smoked tuna, soaking up the

she says. “We have the most wonderful

“literally one man and a boat in Takoradi,”

fiery juice, and starchy favourites yam and

things available to eat here. Every one of

as she describes it. “The lobsters we get

sweet potato are offered as comparatively

our dishes contains local ingredients. The

are amazing,” she says. “They are massive,

light croquettes.

food really is from farm to table, with recog-

as are the prawns. We also get deliciously

nisable Ghanaian dishes given a modern

fresh red snapper and grouper.”

“The whole restaurant is about Ghana,”

twist with a fusion of British, French and Asian influences.”

Examples of such a synthesis of cuisines are a risotto made with local spinach and snails in a wild mushroom sauce and locally caught grouper fillet and giant prawn with

As well as local suppliers, Ruby is able to

Familiar flavours Fine dining may be something new for

draw on her British contacts with 28-day-

Accra, but Ghanaian diners will find plenty

aged Scottish steaks brought in for the

of familiar flavours and the restaurant, with

char grill.

its world-class food served in a cloistered

The fine dining finesse given to traditional Ghanaian dishes, which can be rather carb

courtyard, well away from the bustle of Accra, has proved a hit with locals as well FLYafrica 43

STUDENT CHEFS Ruby’s talented young team

as the discerning travellers and business people staying at the hotel.

“We are very popular with locals who want to entertain,” says Ruby. “We get a lot of repeat clients and we know their names and where they like to sit. The restaurant is renowned for its service as well as its food.”

Giving back Since the launch of Chapter One, Ruby has been able to hone and expand her vision for the restaurant, which seats over 250 guests and is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6 am to 10 pm. She has set up a wine club, with tastings of the restaurant’s impressive selection imported from vineyards in South Africa. Ruby is also expand-

Now, half of Ruby’s kitchen team are

ing the Chapter One brand by setting up a

young Ghanaians studying for their NVQ

sister company, Rapport Catering, which

Level 1 and 2 qualifications. “They are build-

Ghanaian fine dining and through it is

can recreate the restaurant’s fine dining

ing a career and it was always my intention

rewriting the stories of young budding

dishes in your home or at corporate events.

to give back to Ghana and build the fine

chefs in the country.

It has already proved a success with high-

dining skill set here.”

profile clients from all over Ghana calling on the company’s services.

For all the restaurant’s successes, there

There’s lots to learn in Ruby’s kitchen as

One, visit villamonticello.com/ chapter-one-dining

factored them into her vision for preparing Accra chefs for her fine dining revolution.

When Ruby began, she knew it would be a steep learning curve for her kitchen staff to master the skills required to prepare the dishes she had in mind, so she set up an in-house training scheme. “At the start, none of my staff knew about this style of

quite interesting, let’s put it that way. I had to start from scratch.”

FRESH Every dish is made from scratch by the team

Now, half of Ruby’s kitchen team are young Ghanaians studying for their NVQ Level 1 and 2 qualifications 44

To book a table at Chapter

prepared,” she says. “We bake our own bread

was always aware of these, however, and

know how to sauté, so the first service was

Ruby has started a new chapter in

no corners are cut. “All our food is freshly

have been challenges along the way. Ruby

cooking,” she says. “Most of them didn’t

here and dry our own sun-dried tomatoes.”

AWAroutes

Freetown

Nigeria

Tamale

Sierra Leone

Ghana Monrovia Liberia

Abuja Lagos

Kumasi Takoradi

Explore West Africa with Africa World Airlines LIBERIA

GHANA

Accra

Takoradi

Monrovia

Kotoka International Airport

Takoradi Airport

Roberts International Airport

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

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

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

NIGERIA

Freetown Lungi International Airport

Kumasi

Lagos

Kumasi International Airport

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

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

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

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

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

SIERRA LEONE

Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Capital of Nigeria and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Administrative and political centre of Nigeria.

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 six 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 23kg

30kg

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

3USD/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: 6 FLYafrica 47

AWAcontacts

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

Tel: +233 242 438 888 Toll Free: 0800 200 200

Facebook

www.facebook.com/ flyAfricaWorld

Twitter

@flyafricaworld

Email: awaoffice@flyafricaworld.com Opening hours: 07.00-19.00 (Mon-Fri) 08.00-14.00 (Sat)

Kumasi

Tel: +233 30 297 4918

Instagram

@africaworldairlines

Takoradi

Tel: +233 57 770 2854

Tamale

Tel: +233 30 297 4919

Email Contacts Concerns concerns@flyafricaworld.com Charters charters@flyafricaworld.com Reservation Support reservations.support@flyafricaworld.com

Regional Offices Lagos

Airport Office Roberts International Airport, Lower Margibi County, Monrovia, Liberia

Airport Ticketing Office Room 2030, 2nd Floor (Airline Floor), D Wing Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja, Lagos

Tel: +231 886 691 623

+231 881 108 682

+231 881 108 666

Tel: +234 1 342 7130/2

Town Office 1st Floor, Kabah Building Benson/Mechlin Street Monrovia, Liberia

Email: sales.lagos@flyafricaworld.com

Abuja Airport Ticketing Office Public Concourse, Terminal C Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja Tel: +234 8171 481 189

+234 8171 481 480

Opening hours: 08.00-17.00 (Mon-Fri)

Tel: +231 775 450 010

+231 776 578 812 Email: sales@air-mc.com Opening hours: 08.00-17.00 (Mon-Fri), 08.00-14.00 (Sat)

Freetown

Email: abuja.sales@flyafricaworld.com

Airport Office Lungi International Airport

Opening hours: 08.00-16.00 (Mon-Sat)

Tel: +232 (0)79 630 103

Town Office 5 Usuma Close, off Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja

Town Office 21/23 Siaka Stevens Street Tel: +232 (0)79 630 103; +232 (0)88 852 773

Opening hours: 08.00-17.00 (Mon-Sat)

Opening hours: 08.30-17.30 (Mon-Fri)

Book online 48

Monrovia

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