KUWAIT: Kuwait Stops Admitting Expat Workers From 20 Countries

The Kuwaiti General Directorate of Residence Affairs recently announced a ban on recruitment of domestic workers from five African countries.

The latest ban raises the list to 20 countries.

According local media sources, the Kuwaiti ministry of foreign affairs issued a circular mentioning the names of the 5 countries, which include Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Bhutan, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

Additionally, the other 15 African countries are Djibouti,Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Togo, Senegal, Malawi, Chad, Sierra Leone, Niger, Tanzania, the Gambia, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Madagascar.

The circular also included five other African countries whose domestic workers faced a temporary ban, including Cameroon, the Congo, Burundi, Eritrea and Liberia.


Tourism Observer

PAKISTAN: US Slaps Pakistan With Sanctions Over Refusal To Take Back Its Citizen Deportees

The US has imposed sanctions on Pakistan after Islamabad refused to take back its citizen deportees and visa over-stayers from America, warning that it may withhold visas of Pakistanis beginning from its senior officials.

The State Department on Friday said that consular operations in Pakistan remain unchanged as of now but as a result of such a sanction mentioned in a Federal Register notification dated April 22, the US may withhold visas of Pakistanis beginning with its senior officials.

Pakistan is the latest to join the list of 10 nations that have been imposed with sanctions under a US law according to which countries refusing to take back deportees and visa over-stayers will be denied American visas.

Notably eight of these countries have been slapped with such visa sanctions under the Trump administration. Two of them, Ghana and Pakistan have been included in the list this year.

The other countries include Guyana in 2001, the Gambia in 2016, Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea, and Sierra Leone in 2017, Burma and Laos in 2018.

Under Section 243 (d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Secretary of State is required to discontinue granting immigration or non-immigrant visas to a nation upon receiving notice from the Homeland Security Secretary that the country has denied or is unreasonably delaying accepting a citizen, subject, national or resident of that country.

The State Department tried to downplay the impact of the sanctions on Pakistan.

Consular operations in Pakistan remain unchanged, a State Department Spokesperson told PTI when asked about the federal register notification.

This is a bilateral issue of ongoing discussion between the US and Pakistani governments and we are not going to get into the specifics at this time, the spokesperson said.

Former Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, feels that this will make things difficult for Pakistanis.

This measure will create hardship for Pakistanis who want or need to travel to the US and could have been avoided if Pakistani authorities had not ignored American requests to respect their legal requirements for deportation,Haqqani told PTI, days after the federal register notification.

He said that Pakistan's refusal to accept its citizens deported from the US is not new.

Pakistan's refusal to accept every Pakistani citizen deported from the US is not new. It seems that the US is no longer willing to overlook a wide range of official Pakistani behaviour. Bonhomie has been replaced by sanctions and restrictions based on Islamabad's policy decisions, Haqqani said.


Tourism Observer

MOROCCO: Royal Air Maroc Receives First 737 MAX From Boeing

Boeing on December 21, 2018 delivered the first 737 MAX (CN-MAX, msn 60008) to Royal Air Maroc, which plans to use the fuel-efficient, longer-range version of the popular 737 jet to expand and modernize its fleet.

Morocco’s flag carrier – which welcomed its first 787-9 Dreamliner last week – will take delivery of three more 737 MAX 8s and three more 787-9s over the next few months as part of its strategic plan to strengthen its operations.

The 737 MAX 8 airplanes will build on the success of Royal Air Maroc’s fleet of Next-Generations 737s. The MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, and other airframe enhancements to improve performance and reduce operating costs. It also integrates engine technology to reduce the operational noise footprint of the airplane.

Compared to the previous 737 model, the MAX 8 can fly 600 nautical miles (1,112 kilometers) farther, while providing 14 percent better fuel efficiency. The MAX 8 can seat up to 178 passengers in a standard two-class configuration and fly 3,550 nautical miles (6,570 kilometers).

Royal Air Maroc plans to deploy its 737 MAX 8 on routes from Casablanca to Accra (Ghana), Lagos (Nigeria), London–Heathrow (England), Bologna (Italy) and Paris (Orly and CDG).

Boeing has also partnered with the industrial sector in Morocco, supporting the development of the kingdom’s aviation industry through initiatives such as the joint venture MATIS Aerospace that specializes in producing wire bundles and wire harnesses for airplanes.

Boeing is also helping to educate local youth through partnerships with EFE-Morocco and the INJAZ Al-Maghrib association.


Tourism Observer

Cou Cou Or Coo Coo National Dish In Caribbean Islands

Cou-cou, coo-coo as it is known in the Windward Islands, or fungi as it is known in the Leeward Islands and Dominica, makes up part of the national dishes of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

It consists mainly of cornmeal or corn flour and okra (ochroes). Cornmeal, which comes readily packaged and is available at supermarkets island wide, and okra, which can be found at supermarkets, vegetable markets and home gardens, are very inexpensive ingredients.

Because these main components are inexpensive, the dish became common for many residents in Barbados' early colonial history. Cou-cou derives from the island's African ancestry and was a regular meal for those slaves who were brought over from Africa to Barbados.

In Ghana, a similar and probably the original African meal of fermented corn or maize flour eaten with Okra stew and fish is known as Banku, a favourite dish of the Ga Tribe in Accra.

It has historically been proven that most slaves taken to Barbados came from Ghana, as further evidenced by some shared names.

A unique cooking utensil called a cou-cou stick, or fungi stick, is used in its preparation. A cou-cou stick is made of wood, and has a long, flat rectangular shape like a 1-foot-long (30 cm) miniature cricket bat.

It is believed by Barbadians to be essential in stirring the cou-cou, as the dish takes on a firm texture and the cou-cou stick makes it easier to stir in a large pot.

Flying fish prepared fried or steamed is a usual complement to cou-cou. Cou-cou and flying fish has become Barbados' national dish.

Corned beef, or just beef stew, is also a common accompaniment to cou-cou.

Traditionally, cou-cou is served on Fridays at homes across Barbados and local food establishments.

Cou-cou can also be prepared using breadfruit instead of cornmeal.

In Trinidad and Tobago cou-cou or coo-coo)is often prepared alongside callaloo and either stewed or fried fish.

In some islands, e.g. Barbados, Antigua, or the Virgin Islands, cou-cou may be cooked without okra, and goes by the name fengi, fungie, or fungi.


Tourism Observer

GHANA: Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa Wins Ghana Hotel Association Awards

Swiss International is proud to announce of the Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa winning the Ghana Hotel Association Award 2017.

Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa in Accra wins the Ghana Hotel Association Award for the Best Conference & Banqueting Team.

Baar (CH)/Ras al Khaimah (UAE)/Accra (Ghana), April 4, 2018 – Swiss International proudly announces that the Alisa Hotels whereby Swiss Spirit Hotels & Suites Alisa is part of, won the Best Conference & Banqueting team.

Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa is a licensed hotel of Swiss International, operated by Alisa Hotels and located in the Alisa Hotels complex.

The winners of the Ghana Hotels Association Awards 2017 were revealed during the well-attended annual dinner event held on the 20th of January 2018 in Accra, Ghana.

Founded in 1975, the Ghana Hotel Association honors the skilled and talented hoteliers across the country for their well deserved efforts in achieving and maintaining international standards and quality service delivery.

Mr. Masha Kifalu – General Manager of Alisa Hotels Over the now 2 years since the opening of the Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa in Accra.

The hotel and its team members have maintained the warmth of hospitality to many guests from around the world, said Mr. Henri Kennedie, the CEO of Swiss International Hotels & Resorts.

We know that our people are our greatest asset, and that is why we praise Alisa Hotels for this outstanding achievement and the Ghana Hotel Association for celebrating them.

Swiss International Hotels Founded in 1982, Swiss International Hotels is established in Switzerland.

Swiss International Hotels & Resorts is currently associated with hotels in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Greater China, the Middle East and Africa.

The company is registered in Baar, Switzerland and is operating from the UAE (Ras Al Khaimah).

Swiss International is operating and licensing its hotels under the following brands: Royal Swiss (Luxury), Swiss International Hotels & Resorts (Upscale), Swiss Spirit Hotels & Suites (Mid-market) and Yes Inn (Economy).

Upon receiving the award from the Ghana Hotel Association, the Alisa Hotels’ General Manager, Mr. Masha Kifalu, said: This award represents the dedication of the team in achieving and exceeding each and every guest’s expectations when they are in our company.

This applies to each and every one at the hotels. We therefore would like to dedicate the award to all the ladies and gentlemen who in one way or another contributed to us receiving this prestigious recognition.

Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa has been one of the favorite places to stay among the travelers when in Accra.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Kenya Can Now Operate Direct Flights To The United States

After more than a decade long wait, Kenya can now operate direct flights to the United States.

The US Federal Aviation Administration says Kenya has complied with international safety standards and can have direct flights to the country.

The east african country also had to upgrade infrastructure at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Without the category 1 rating conferred by the US Federal Aviation Administration, all flights originating from Kenya had to make a stop over in another country with the same ranking, usually in Europe or the Middle East.

This is a major milestone in Kenya’s aviation industry as it now has a chance to boost trade with the US and increase its share of American tourists.

Kenya is now among five sub-Saharan Africa countries that can fly directly to the US. The rest are; South Africa, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Plans For A Continental Passport

President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, to attend the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

The summit will be conducted under the theme: "Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in the Youth".

The AU Assembly will be preceded, on 29 January 2017, by a retreat of AU Heads of State and Government, where the leaders will consider a report to be presented by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, on institutional reforms of the AU aimed at enhancing the continental body's governance systems.

Amongst other things, the Assembly will consider and deliberate on reports focusing on the state of peace and security on the continent, the African Peer Review Mechanism and Climate Change.

The Assembly will also consider the 2016 Annual Report of the AU Commission, which is expected to focus on the implementation and domestication of Agenda 2063, economic integration, the continental passport as well as peace support and peace-keeping missions.

Integration on the African continent, through business and travel, is a major focus point for global and continental leaders at the moment.

In November last year, new research released by the global travel technology provider indicated that African air travel spend is expected to rise 24% with the introduction of the pan-African passport in 2018.

The new passport will enable African travellers to visit other countries on the continent without a visa, and will mean a seamless travel experience for especially business travellers on the continent.

A key obstacle to the much-anticipated passport is the access to biometric systems, needed to register the passports. Currently only 13 of the 54 AU members offer biometric passports. Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana and Tunisia, for example, do not have them. South Africa is currently on a mission to roll new biometric capturing system out with trials being piloted across SA's major international airports.

NIGERIA: South African Airways Introduces Flights To Abuja

South African Airways (SAA) has introduced a second entry point to Nigeria in its quest to enable trade and unlock mobility, which will considerably add to business travel options in the West African region.

Adding a second gateway in Nigeria to SAA’s existing daily service to Lagos materially strengthens SAA’s position in West Africa. The addition of Abuja to SAA’s network follows closely on the successful introduction of the Accra, Ghana to Washington Dulles, USA route, as a West African platform in August 2015. SAA launched flights between Accra, Ghana and Washington DC in North America.

The introduction of the Accra to Washington route has seen a steady growth in the number of passengers using this route and has performed in line with expectations. This has provided SAA with the confidence to invest further and enhance its footprint in West Africa.

“Nigeria is one of the fastest growing air travel markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and will be well served with our additional services to Abuja. Introducing Abuja as a second entry point in Nigeria will add more travel options, especially for the business community, and will enhance our footprint on the continent,” says Sylvain Bosc, SAA Chief Commercial Officer.

Abuja, built in the 1980s, became Nigeria’s capital in December 1991, and is known for being one of the few purpose-built capital cities in Africa. With Abuja, SAA will be serving eight destinations in Central and West Africa, with flights from its Johannesburg hub to Lagos (Nigeria); Abidjan (Ivory Coast); Cotonou (Benin); Accra (Ghana); Douala (Cameroon), Dakar (Senegal) and Libreville (Gabon) already forming part of the extensive regional route network.

The three weekly flights will operate non-stop between Johannesburg and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard modern Airbus 330-200s, offering SAA Business class comfort and luxury, with the latest in In-flight entertainment.

The first flight is scheduled to depart O.R Tambo International Airport on 26 January 2016. Flights are open for sale on all SAA’s distribution channels.

GAMBIA: Tourists Flee The Gambia As Yahya Jammeh Sturbonly Refuses To Step Down

Britons begun to fly back from The Gambia as the clock ticks past a midnight deadline for military action in the West African nation.

Senegalese forces say they will cross the border if the president refuses to step aside.

Nigeria's air force has also deployed fighter jets and surveillance planes to Senegal, which borders The Gambia.

Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz flew to Senegal to meet with that country's president Macky Sall, according to a Senegalese presidential source.

With fears that airports could shut at short notice, holiday companies are urgently flying thousands of Britons home.

The first UK tourists to arrive at Manchester Airport told of a "chaotic" scramble to get home.

Sara Wilkins, from Church Stretton, Shropshire, said: "It was a nightmare at the airport - people were crying and panicking. It was just chaos."

Karl Degnan from Nottingham said: "The communication at the hotel was very poor. I got up this morning to get some breakfast and was just told we've got to pack, we've got to go."

It comes after Gambian President Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency after refusing to hand over power following his loss in last month's election.

Adama Barrow, a former Argos security guard in London, was declared the unexpected winner.

Senegal had said regional troops would take action if Mr Jammeh, who has ruled for more than two decades, did not step down when his mandate ended at midnight.

"We are ready and are awaiting the deadline at midnight. If no political solution is found, we will step in," said Colonel Abdou Ndiaye, a Senegalese army spokesman.

The Nigerian air force is ramping up the pressure.

It says it has moved "200 men and air assets comprising fighter jets, transport aircraft, light utility helicopter as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft" to Dakar in Senegal.

Ghana has also pledged to contribute to the regional force.

British holidaymakers have been urgently heading home after the Foreign Office warned of the potential for military action.

There were some emotional scenes as tourists hugged locals and staff at hotels and boarded coaches to the airport.

Thomas Cook said it had 985 package tourists and 2,500 "flight-only" customers in the West African country.

It expects to have brought them all back - on 16 flights - by the end of Friday.

When Mr Jammeh lost the December election he said he would move aside but then refused, claiming there were irregularities in the voting.

Human rights activists have accused him of torturing and killing his opponents, including journalists.

Senegal has also been trying to win the support of the UN Security Council for potential military action.

According to Associated Press, it circulated a draft resolution reiterating the Council's "full support to the ECOWAS in its commitment to take all necessary measures to ensure the respect of the will of the people of the Gambia".

NIGERIA: Air Peace Adds Fleet, Promises To Fly International

Air Peace’s plan to cover more local routes and operate international flights has received a huge boost with the delivery of the new aircraft it recently acquired.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the airline,Chief Allen Onyema said in Lagos that the airline embarked on the acquisition of more aircraft to service its local market and the international routes recently approved for it.

“We have been designated to fly into Dakar, Senegal, Accra, Ghana, Niamey, Niger; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; and Douala, Cameroun, China, Dubai, India, and South Africa.

“One of the new aircraft has the capacity to take 142 passengers, while the other can take 126 passengers. In our fleet, we now have nine Boeing and one Dornier aircraft. Some of the aircraft we will be deployed for the regional routes.

“We have visited the civil aviation and relevant authorities in these countries and plans are at an advanced stage. We will soon announce our commencement dates on these routes, but one thing we want to assure our passengers is that we will put in our cockpit the best of pilots,” Onyema said.

Air Peace, he said, was ready to deepen its investment in the nation’s aviation industry as well as create more jobs for Nigerians.

He, however, regretted that the difficulty in sourcing foreign exchange and aviation fuel was straining the operations of airlines in the country.

Onyema commended the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika for working tirelessly to ease the operational challenges of airlines in the country, saying local flight operators needed more public support to survive.

He said “The domestic airline industry is not getting the right support it deserves from the government as they would rather do everything possible to support foreign airlines,”

“We do more for the country than the foreign airlines. If the foreign airlines face the kind of challenges that we face for 72 hours, they will all pack out of Nigeria. The government must rise up and protect local airlines,” he added.

Some of the challenges facing local airlines according to Onyema include forex and fuel scarcity, high premium on insurance, double taxation to regulatory and airport agencies, and Nigerian Customs Services’ failure to comply with government directives on exemption VAT on importation of important aircraft spares.

GHANA: Floods Kill People In Southern Ghana

Four days of heavy and steady rain has left at least 10 people dead in the south of Ghana. The streets of Accra have been left under water after the torrential downpours caused widespread flooding earlier this week.

The nation's capital was hit bit 185mm of rain on Sunday, which is more than they would expect for the entire month of June. This is the wettest month of the year with an average rainfall of 178mm.

Since the weekend a further 50mm of rain has fallen exacerbating the severe problems already faced. President John Dramani Mahama has surveyed the areas concerned. He was reported to have driven through several neighbourhoods on a motorcycle.

Heavy downpours were also recorded 150km to the west of Accra in the Central Regional capital, Cape Coast where 10 people died in floods, Sandy Amartey, regional coordinator of the National Disaster Management organisation said.

"In all we have 10 to 12 who lost their lives during this rainy season."

The rains come too late to save the nations struggling coca crop. The region's Harmattan winds have been blamed for likely poor yield.

The Harmattan is the cold, dry wind that blows across West Africa from the Sahara during the winter months. It does have a tendency to sap the moisture from the soil and can spoil the cocoa seeds.

The rains finally arrived in March. Since then they have been insufficiently light and patchy until recently.

This current spell of heavy showers is set to continue well into next week.

The rainy season is not expected to ease significantly until early July.

Gulf Of Guinea

The Gulf of Guinea is the northeasternmost part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean between Cape Lopez in Gabon, north and west to Cape Three Points in Western region Ghana. The intersection of the Equator and Prime Meridian (zero degrees latitude and longitude) is in the gulf.

Among the many rivers that drain into the Gulf of Guinea are the Niger and the Volta. The coastline on the gulf includes the Bight of Benin and the Bight of Bonny.

The Niger River in particular deposited organic sediments out to sea over millions of years which became crude oil. The Gulf of Guinea region, along with the Congo River delta and Angola further south, are expected to provide around a quarter of the United States' oil imports by 2015.This region is now regarded as one of the world's top oil and gas exploration hotspots.

The origin of the name Guinea is thought to be an area in the region, although the specifics are disputed. Bovill (1995) gives a thorough description:

The name Guinea is usually said to have been a corrupt form of the name Ghana, picked up by the Portuguese in the Maghrib. The present writer finds this unacceptable. The name Guinea has been in use both in the Maghrib and in Europe long before Prince Henry's time.

For example, on a map dated about 1320 by the Genoese cartographer Giovanni di Carignano, who got his information about Africa from a fellow-countryman in Sijilmas,ancient trading city in North Africa, we find Gunuia, and in the Catalan atlas of 1375 as Ginyia.

A passage in Leo Africanus points to Guinea having been a corrupt form of Jenne (2,000-year-old city in central Mali on Niger river), less famous than Ghana but nevertheless for many centuries famed in the Maghrib as a great market and a seat of learning.

The relevant passage reads: "The Kingdom of Ghinea . . . called by the merchants of our nation Gheneoa, by the natural inhabitants thereof Genni and by the Portugals and other people of Europe Ghinea."

But it seems more probable that Guinea derives from aguinaou, the Berber for Negro. Marrakech the city in southeastern Morocco has a gate, built in the twelfth century, called the Bab Aguinaou, the Gate of the Negro. The modern application of the name Guinea to the coast dates only from 1481. In that year the Portuguese built a fort, São Jorge da Mina (modern day Elmina), on the Gold Coast region, and their king, John II, was permitted by the Pope (Sixtus II or Innocent VIII) to style himself Lord of Guinea, a title that survived until the recent extinction of the monarchy.

The name "Guinea" was also applied to south coast of West Africa, north of the Gulf of Guinea, which became known as "Upper Guinea", and the west coast of Southern Africa, to the east, which became known as "Lower Guinea." The name "Guinea" is still attached to the names of three countries in Africa: Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea, as well as New Guinea in Melanesia.

Islands in the Gulf of Guinea
The Gulf of Guinea contains a number of islands, the largest of which are in a southwest-northeast chain, forming part of the Cameroon line of volcanoes.

Annobón
Annobón, also known as Pagalu or Pigalu, is an island that is part of Equatorial Guinea.

Bobowasi Island
Bobowasi Island is an island off the west coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea that is part of Western region Ghana.

Bioko
Bioko is an island off the west coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea that is part of Equatorial Guinea.

Corisco
Corisco is an island belonging to Equatorial Guinea.

The Elobeys
Elobey Grande and Elobey Chico are two small islands belonging to Equatorial Guinea.

São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe (officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe) is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea that became independent from Portugal in 1975. It is located off the western equatorial coast of Africa and consists of two islands, São Tomé and Príncipe. They are located about 140 kilometres (87 mi) apart and about 250 and 225 kilometres (155 and 140 mi), respectively, off the northwestern coast of Gabon.

Both islands are part of an extinct volcanic mountain range. São Tomé, the sizeable southern island, is situated just north of the Equator.

NAMBIA: Namibia To Benefit From Indonesia Visa-free Programme

Namibia is among 78 countries set to benefit from Indonesia a 30-day visa-free entry into the Southeast Asian country. In a statement on Friday, the Embassy of Indonesia in Windhoek said the new regulations took effect on March 22, after Indonesian President Joko Widodo signed them into law on March 2.

Other African countries to benefit from the gesture are Malawi, Botswana and Lesotho.

Last year, Indonesia extended similar benefits to 45 countries including African states of Algeria, Angola and Ghana.
In total, Indonesia has granted visa-free entry 169 countries.

“The 30-day visa-free entry will only be valid for the purpose of leisure, tourism, family, social, art and culture, government visits, giving lectures, attending seminars, attending a meeting held by head office or representative office in Indonesia, attending an exhibition/explore/fairs, and in transit,” read the statement.

However the embassy noted that the visa-free entry is not valid for journalism-related visits and that “travellers’ passports must be valid with a minimum validity of six months and travellers must have a return ticket or through ticket when in transit”.

GHANA: Buffalos Invade Villages In Ghana

Fear has gripped residents of Ashanti Mampong and its surrounding villages in the especially Kyiremfasa, Bobeng and Besease after Buffalos reportedly stormed their homes and severely injured an old lady and destroyed properties.

The victim who is on admission at the Mampong government hospital is currently in stable condition.

The animals are believed to have emanated from the thick forests in neighbouring towns of Nkoranza and Adwira which have been burnt due to the severe harmattan condition.

The arrival of the ‘unwanted guests’ in the towns has left the residents sitting on tenterhooks as they are unable to determine when the Buffalos will strike again.

The development has made it difficult for the residents to sleep peacefully at night and has also disrupted their social lives.

Hunters in the town mobilized themselves together with the police and neibhourhood watchdog committee on Tuesday and managed to kill one of the Bufalos. But just when they thought they had gained some relief, they heard reports of another Bufalo lurking dangerously into the town.

A hunter by name Mensah Sarpong told Kasapa News that after he and his colleagues once again chased the marauding animal, but upon getting close to it, they realized that the guns they wielded were not powerful enough to kill the animal.

He said they then called for assistance from the Police to kill the buffalos but the law enforcement officers disappointingly failed to come to their aid.

Speaking to Kasapa News, the Mampong Divisional Police Commander Superintendent Bismark Agyepong refuted the allegation by the hunter and insisted that the animal that was earlier killed was rather a mad cow as was certified by veterinary doctors and not a buffalo.

He disclosed that the police are liaising with the Wildlife authorities to see how best they can contain the dangerous animal.

Superintendent Bismark Agyepong urged the residents to be calm as the various agencies strategize to kill the bufalos should they strike again.

GHANA: Airspace Dispute Between Togo & Ghana Resolved

Ghana and its eastern neighbours, Togo and Benin, have amicably resolved their differences over control of the Accra Flight Information Region (FIR).

The internationally designated Accra Flight Information Region (FIR) refers to the combined upper airspace (240 feet and above) and large portions of the Atlantic Ocean of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has managed the Accra FIR on behalf of the three countries for decades. However, Togo and Benin in 2014 threatened to quit the Accra FIR over management and economic concerns.

Simon Allotey, Director-General of the GCAA, told the B&FT that the issue has been resolved and all parties are committed to the current arrangement.

“The original arrangement was that Ghana, Togo and Benin will co-manage the Accra FIR from Accra. Later on it was varied at the request of our Togolese and Béninoise brothers. They want to be part of the Accra FIR, which they are; but then the FIR will be segmented into two with Ghana managing the terrestrial airspace and the entire oceanic sector, while from Lomé they will manage the Togolese and Béninoise airspace.

“So far it is working very well. There is a lot of coordination between the Accra and Lomé centres. The arrangement has been operating smoothly since June 25, 2015.

“Revenue sharing has been resolved effectively. Basically, whoever controls a sector takes the revenue accruing from that sector. Togo and Benin bills the airlines directly for flights over their airspace and Ghana also does the same,” Ing. Allotey said.

The internationally designated Accra Flight Information Region (FIR), prior to the new arrangement, was managed by the GCAA on behalf of the three countries.

However, revenue accruing from management of the Accra FIR went into the coffers of GCAA; with no share of the proceeds paid to either Togo or Benin.

Air navigation charges for all international flights over four tonnes operating within the Accra FIR as at 2010 were charged US$0.75 per kilometre flown. The minimum charge within the Accra FIR is US$200 and a maximum of US$600.

Aircraft with weight between 4-20 tonnes are charged a US$200 flat-rate.

International aircraft movement to and from the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) at the end of last year stood at 21,269 — giving an indication of the revenue at stake.

International airlines operating flights to and from Accra initially raised concerns about fragmenting the Accra FIR, as they thought it would mean using three different control towers during flights within the region.

With the current arrangement, airlines which use the terrestrial airspace of all three countries will have to deal with two control towers.

GHANA: Construction Terminal 3 At Kotoka International Airport Underway

Construction work on the new terminal three at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Ghana set to begin by April this year. The project is scheduled for completion by December 2016.

The new terminal will be situated at the round airside stretching to the Old Fire Service area, to the Hanger area of KIA according to sources, and will have a capacity of 5million passengers a year. The airport terminal construction plan comes after the country registered gradually growth in demand for the international flights, thus putting pressure on airport facilities.

However, one of the construction firm has already been awarded the project tender; it has also been confirmed that the handover of the project is expected is expected to be finalized by end of March.

The planned airport terminal construction project aims at positioning Kokota International Airport as the hub for aviation business in the sub-region, and it will be operating along with three terminals, of which one will handle domestic activities while the remaining two handles international travels.

Furthermore, facilities at the current arrival and departure halls at Terminal 2 are set to undergo upgrading and activities will temporarily be moved to the new terminal while managers begin the upgrade.

GHANA: Minister Promotes Ghana Tourism Using Ethiopia Airways

Mrs. Genet Michael, Area Manager of the Ethiopian Airlines in Ghana, paid a courtesy Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Tourism, culture and Creative Arts.

The Minister of Tourism, culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has asked management of Ethiopian Airlines to introduce Ghallywood movies on board Ethiopian Airlines flights to Accra.

She made this request when the Area Manager of the Airline in Ghana, Mrs Genet Michael paid a courtesy call on her in Accra.

The call was to deepen the relationship between Ghana and Ethiopia.

The Minister thanked management of the Airline for the support to the country and tourism, which she said thrives on good aviation operations.

She, therefore, called on management of the Airline to help promote the Ghanaian Culture internationally by showing Ghanaian movies and tourism offerings on board and also serve Ghanaian dishes.

She promised to set up a meeting to look at the implementation of the cooperation between the Ministry and the Airline, since the Airline was a sponsor of the Accra Millennium Marathon that saw the participation of Marathon Legend Gabresellasie.

Ethiopian Airlines operates daily flights to Accra with the most modern aircraft that flies into Ghana, the B787 Dreamliner.

Mrs Michael explained that management of the Airline wants to work with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to bring more tourists to Ghana.

Management of the Airline also extended an invitation to the Minister to enable her visit Ethiopia for the introduction of the Airbus in February next year.

The Airbus to be introduced was tested in Addis Ababa recently.

This comes as Ethiopian Airlines will once again be the first African Airline to fly the newest plane in the world.

Ethiopian Airline has 13 planes and has ordered 10 A350 from Airbus.

NIGERIA: Why Profitable Flight Operations Not Achievable In Nigeria

How has doing business in this climate been?

We’ve been doing things to promote this economy, and we are not involved in dubious activities. We pray for every other airline everyday. We do not want the not-so-good stories of the past to happen again to any airline. In the last eleven months, we’ve airlifted over half a million passengers with five out of our seven aircraft, and that is very remarkable. Within the same period, Air Peace was called upon to undertake the development of a new route, which is the Kebbi International airport. This has never happened to a new airline in Nigeria. I believe it is because we showed strength, capacity and zeal towards doing the right thing.

Any plan to expand your operational scope to meet domestic needs? of passengers?

We started with five locations and later added Asaba to make it six. But when we discovered Asaba was a dangerous field, we pulled out. We were the first airline to do that because we have zero tolerance to anything unsafe. It was not an easy decision, but it was borne out of commitment to safety, above business considerations. I’m sure other airlines knew that Asaba runway is unsafe. I knew the Easterners wanted Air Peace so badly, but we had to take decision, when one day I flew there in an executive jet and I discovered that my plane was bumping on landing. I called my director of flight operations to refund passengers’ money. I also told him we must stop operations to Asaba. It was a decision taken with every sense of patriotism and commitment to safety. I’m sure it was when I gave a press conference that Asaba was an accident waiting to happen that the Federal Government decided to act. Aviation business is not all about making money; there is no money in it to start with. We are here to create jobs; this is my conviction. So, we replaced Asaba with Calabar.

About six months into our operations, we added two more aircrafts to our fleet, making it nine. Two months after, we acquired two more Boeing, making it eleven. However, we sold two of our jets to the British Airways. I doubt if that airline has ever bought used aircraft in Nigeria from another airline before. That this happened is a testimony to the fact that Air Peace is doing what others may not be doing. Our airline is being modeled after South West Airlines of the United States. If you ask my baggage handlers, where we are today, he or she can tell you. Communication trickles down, as it is not a one-man thing. ?One man may own the airline, but the governance structure of Air peace gives room for other people to contribute.

A young lady of less than 35 years is the Managing Director of Air Peace. I always recognise quality. I own Air Peace 100 percent with my wife and children. But in order to assure and ensure safety of the flying public in Nigeria, we decided to outsource maintenance. Everything about commercial flight operations is maintenance. Though you can buy a new plane today, but if you don’t follow maintenance schedule, the plane will crash. As it is key to safety, we decided to outsource our maintenance to BCT Aviation Maintenance Company, a UK based organisation. I brought them at a huge cost, and they are here in Nigeria, providing daily maintenance. They are so strict. The other day, some items in the First Aid box were missing; they grounded the plane and asked passengers to alight. We had to apologise to passengers for the delay. What is right must be done. At Air Peace, we don’t cut corners. We have the best pilots in the land. All the chief pilots of other airlines in this country are presently flying Air peace. So, they all have the experience.

How do you motivate your workforce?

If they are ill motivated, they can breech safety. If you owe a worker five months salary, he might be pushed into doing something bad. For instance, he can weigh a 50kg load and someone will give him N5, 000 bribery to load the luggage unto your aircraft to Abuja unaccompanied, which could turn out to be a bomb. At Air Peace, we don’t owe salaries, because we cut our coat according to the size of the material we have. We ensure that salaries are paid on the 25th of every month. If this falls on a Saturday, we pay it on the 24th, and if it falls on a Sunday, we pay it on the 23rd. These are not hidden facts. It is not because we have the money, but because I had the painful experience of being owed, where I served as a lawyer. So, I decided that when setting up my own company, I would not owe anybody. And from 1992, when I floated my company, I ensure that my staff were paid on the 25th of every month. I have carried on like that, not because my business principle is worker-friendly. I am a very proud person, so I don’t want somebody to ever come and say Allen Onyema owes me three months salary. Even the pilots are well remunerated, and they receive their salary as at when due. By doing so, you give them that comfort. So, safety begins with how well your staff is motivated.

Are there plans to expand your operational frontiers beyond Nigeria?

The Federal Government has granted another stretch to Air Peace. I don’t think any other airline in Nigeria got the approval to move beyond Nigeria in less than one year of operation, but we got it because we have proven our capability. Air Peace might be one year old, but we ensure that things are done appropriately. We have an expansion policy in sight. In the coming months, we will start hitting African nations. And of course, by next year, we would also like going international, to Asia and Europe.

Which African states are we looking at?

We have been given permission to go to Niger, Cote d’ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Senegal and Cameroun. In the long term, we are looking at Europe and Asia, and we believe that when the time comes, we would be allowed to do so. In fact, the government should allow any Nigerian airline that is ready to do all those things and bring revenue to this country. It will stop capital flight out of this country.

Are you processing IATA approval to enable you go international?

Of course, we’ve started our IATA workshop since almost two months now. They came to us, and we agreed and subscribed to it. They came from abroad to train our people. I’m sure within the first quarter of next year, we will be there.

What are the major challenges faced since you commenced operation?

First of all, within the industry itself, there is what we call devilish envy, which militates against unity and cooperation. We don’t speak with one voice. Secondly, government policies pose serious challenge. I have discovered that so many people advising government have no business doing so. There are so many people out there who call themselves stakeholders. They probably might have been in the industry, or are trained engineers and pilots. But that does not make them experts in the aviation business. If we don’t get policies right, we’ll continue to go down. Nigeria has had over 50 airlines, but only five or six are operating. That is not complimentary. And why have they gone down? While some of the faults could be traced to the owners, majority of the reasons are traceable to government policies. I am not talking about the present administration, but government over time. If this particular government does not look before it leaps, it may make the same mistakes. Because we have a lot of people out there, calling themselves experts, technocrats and stakeholders in the industry. They give government advice based on primordial sentiments.

Another challenge is that there are so many unviable airports in Nigeria. In the United States, anywhere you are going, the aircraft is full to capacity. But in Nigeria, this is not constant. When coming from Abuja, you can have full load, but going, you are flying an almost empty plane. Some airports have no one going there on certain days. We have over 170 million Nigerians, but less than one percent are flying. That is the number one factor militating against Nigerian airlines’ growth. All over the world, the price of fuel has gone down, but in Nigeria, the price has tripled.

Government should do something about it so that the airlines can grow. Airport infrastructure is another problem. Most of the airlines don’t fly at night, which means that by 6pm or 6:30pm, most of the planes must be on ground (AOG). But this should only occur, when there is technical fault. In Nigeria, it is not only technical problem that makes our aircraft AOG. The inadequacies of our airports create more AOG than technical issues. We pay through our nose to insure our aircraft. Abroad, it is cheaper to insure airplanes. But the insurance laws do not permit us to go out of Nigeria to insure our planes. It is Nigerian insurance companies that insure planes, and then they get underwriters from abroad. We paid over $1.6M to insure about four aircraft. Everything about aviation is computed in dollars. From N150 to a dollar, it has now become N235. You also buy spare parts and some members of the crew are paid in dollars monthly. To get the dollars to buy is a problem. We pay as much as 22.5 percent interest on some airplanes. In other climes, they get funding at single digit interest. Business all over the world thrives on credit. We need support.

UGANDA: Pope Francis Visit To Attract Religious Tourism

The Uganda Tourism Board has launched a campaign to promote Uganda’s heritage across Africa anchoring it on Pope Francis’ visit to the country on November 27. “We are ready and have already designed posters to different African countries pending distribution at different churches. We hope to talk to the priests to publicise the Pope’s visit and also use social media,” said John Ssempebwa, the deputy UTB Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The visit is seen as an opportunity to boost faith-based tourism. Some of the countries being targeted are Nigeria, Rwanda, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo which has the highest Catholic population in Africa.

“We are going to break the global world record of the number of people attending the Pope’s mass. The current record of six million people is held by Philippines, which invested about $40 million in publicity. We don’t need that. We are collaborating with the Catholic Church and we are going to break that record mark this year,” Mr Ssempebwa said.

Currently, Uganda receives more than 3,000 pilgrims on June 3 every year for the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations in Namugongo.

“We have never advertised Martyrs Day in any of those countries. This is a one-off and importantly we are treating this as faith-based tourism. For the first time we have the Protestants and Muslims on board,” he added.

GHANA: Axim Beach Hotel

The Axim Beach Hotel is situated on a huge palm covered tropical hillside that overlooks kilometres of deserted beaches. The hotel offers guests the opportunity to experience accommodation with traditional African characteristics in architecture, interior design and decoration.

The result – a palm covered oasis, surrounded by beautiful beaches that has found the balance between the natural environment and the requirements of clientele using a traditional and close to nature design.

The hotel recognises the importance of sustainable tourism industry for Ghana and as such has adopted environmentally friendly practices such as solar hot water and the use of bore water for facilities and where possible using recycled materials. And of course, the traditionally designed buildings employ environmentally friendly construction practices. The hotel employs all local staff, purchases local products and contributes to community projects in the Axim town.

Axim Beach Hotel is excited to announce that it will be adding a new service to its guests. The hotel will soon start providing traditional ayurvedic massage and relaxation therapies.

The area surrounding Axim is naturally covered in rainforest and is lushly vegetated. The climate provides an array of habitats for a range of flora and fauna. In particular, Ghana is a very worthwhile birding destination, with over 180 species found across the country. Some of the key birds that occur in Ghana are the white-crested tiger-heron, Congo serpent eagle, long-tailed hawk, white-breasted guinea fowl, white-spotted flufftail, yellow – billed turaco, black throated coucal, rufous fishing owl, the yellow casqued and black casqued wattled hornbills and many more.

The Ankasa Forest and Amansuri Wetlants which is only 40 minutes drive from Axim are some of the ideal forest and wetlands reserves worth visiting in the area to watch wildlife and nature.

The western region is a premier birding region due to its lowland forests which is home to 15 endemic species. One reserve which is close to Axim and protects these lowland forests is the Ankasa Resource Reserve. Here, over 300 plant species have been counted in one hectare and the reserve is home to more than 70 mammal species including forest elephants, bongo antelope, golden cats and hogs, as well as a variety of primates. In terms of birdlife, Ankasa is home to the spot-breasted ibis, grey ground thrush, white-crested tiger heron and white breasted guinea fowl.

ACCOMODATION
Honeymoon Chalets : ($110 Per Night)

Recently built, the new Honeymoon Chalets offers total luxury and comfort for Honeymoon couples and partners. It is directly situated on the sunset beach with a great ocean view. Facilities include a big veranda overlooking the sunset beach. Satellite TV, Double bed, air-conditioned, Mini bar, hot shower, and Wi-Fi Internet.

Deluxe Chalets : ($90 Per Night)

Recently completed, the new deluxe suites offer complete luxury. The conjoined double suites each have an extra large living area, bathroom and spacious balcony over looking the ocean. Facilities include satellite television, telephone, air-conditioning, fan, mini bar, refrigerator and hot shower.

Chalets : ($80 Per Night)

Uniquely built in traditional Ghanaian style, the chalets are available both in twin (two single beds) or double. All suites have their own bathroom and living space. Facilities include satellite television, telephone, air-conditioning, fan, mini bar, refrigerator, hot shower and veranda.

Turtle Beach Villa : ($180 Per Night)

Overlooking the picturesque Axim beach, the turtle beach villa provides complete luxury. The suite can accommodate a minimum of four guests, consisting of two extra spacious twin rooms (which can be converted to doubles), each with their own bathroom. Facilities include satellite television, telephone, air-conditioning, fan, mini bar, refrigerator, hot shower and veranda. The suite also has kitchen facilities and two outdoor verandas overlooking turtle beach.

Family Villa : ($240 Per Night)

Perfect for a travelling family or friends, the family villa has beautiful ocean views overlooking the property. The villa accommodates a minimum of six guests, comprising of three bedrooms (two doubles and one twin room), each with its own bathroom. Facilities include satellite television, telephone, air-conditioning, fan, mini bar, refrigerator, hot shower and veranda. The suite also has kitchen facilities and dining area.

Family Bungalow : ($150 Per Night)

Great for a small family or travelling couples, the hotels family bungalows consist of two twin rooms (which can be converted to doubles) and shared adjoining bathroom. Facilities include satellite television, telephone, air-conditioning, fan, mini bar, refrigerator, hot shower and veranda.

Budget Double : ($50 Per Night)

Double rooms each with their own bathroom facilities are located in the budget suite of the hotel which overlooks the water. It has no air-condition. Facilities include satellite television and fan.

Budget Single Room : ($25 Per Night)

Single budget rooms are located in the budget suite of the hotel. Each room has its own bathroom facilities. Rooms include satellite television and fan.

CONTACTS
Axim Beach Eco Resort: (00233) 31 7090099 or (00233) 31 2092397