Whenever the issue of Ghana Airways' demise comes up, there are many people who would share with you their worst nightmares. In the midst of the demise and aftermath, many airlines took advantage of the situation. They increased their number of flights, fares went way up and Ghanaians were left with no other choice but to do whatever it took to go home. Our misfortunes were taken for granted. Some travelers had to deal with long waits at transit countries which at times are unbearable and inconvenienced. Many Ghanaians who have endured these long journeys cry and continue to wish for the day when Ghanaians will get a direct flight to and from New York's JFK and Ghana's Kotoka/Accra airports with reliable and consistent service. The airlines which took the advantage of the Ghana Airways' horrible situation, never at anytime approached the Ghanaian community as to what they could do to accommodate us. Numerous companies with chartered crafts surfaced and many were confused whether they were for real or not.

Suddenly with the help of Ms Ivy Quarshie, Deputy Executive Secretary General of NCOGA, a call came from Eddy Agbo of Ambassadorway Travel that North American Airlines are working on plans to go direct to Ghana and that their representative, Peter Bogovich was looking to speak to Ghanaweb. Lucky enough, I returned the call and spoke to Peter Bogovich, Vice President of Sales. Peter told Ghanaweb his company's intention to fly directly to Ghana and work together to send the message to the Ghanaian populace worldwide. While this was ongoing, Peter had also arranged to meet with the National Council of Ghanaian Associations (NCOGA) which forms the leadership of the Ghanaian community with 15 umbrella associations. NCOGA is indeed the best source for Peter to inform the community about the direct flight operations.

June 1st. was a great personal day for me. My employer scheduled a conference call in the morning to speak to its worldwide employees about its major takeover of a US company totaling 1.5 billion dollars which had everyone excited and then in the evening North American Airlines' Peter Bogovich's meeting with the Board of Directors, Executives and representatives of NCOGA, travel agencies and the media at the Ghana Missions in New York was the icing on the cake. At the meeting, Mr. Bogovich explained North American Airlines' intentions and how it will operate. Beginning July 1, 2005, a non-stop Boeing 767-300ER scheduled service from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Accra, the capital of Ghana will commence. He gave out brochures and an information packet regarding the airline and the service to be offered. Many attendees asked questions and they were all answered to their satisfaction. Dr. Ben Dodoo, Board member applauded North American Airlines for reaching out to the community when we needed an airline to fly directly to Ghana. North America Airlines has given us the respect we deserve.

There are many airlines that Ghanaians take to go home but in the end it is one airline which chose to reach out to the community and offer their service. North American Airlines were advised by some travel industry experts not to take Ghanaians for granted just because we need their service. They must concentrate on providing excellent service because in the end when the service is good, that is what matters and what Ghanaians require. Mr. Bogovich acknowledged the leaders' opinions and expressed his desire to support the community when called upon. He stressed that North American Airlines is a commercial airline company, very aware of its operations and will not overbook its seats and will impose its restriction of 2 bags weighing a total of 140Ibs and any luggage over that weight will be rejected. He encouraged all Ghanaians to take that direct flight advantage as it is convenient for people who have to wait for hours before they reach their final destination.

Ghanaweb would like to welcome North American Airlines in the Ghanaian community and we hope this is the beginning of a long term and wonderful relationship with great stories to tell. We also commend the community power players, NCOGA, Ambassadorway Travel, Black Star Travel and Tours, Prestige, ITE and other travel industry experts for the cordial relationship exhibited at the meeting. NCOGA executives present were Alhaji Mardah, Ivy Quarshie, Nana Anane Amponsah, Patrick Gyan and Kwabena Manu aka "Honorable" Pancho.

Now Ghanaians can look forward to going home non-stop with non-stop direct flight and no hassle. It is about time because we deserve it. For information, visit www.northamericanair.com or contact these travel agents; Ambassadorway Travel, Black Star Travel & Tours, Prestige Travel and Tours and ITE.