Since beginning her career at Delta Air Lines 17 years ago, Sarah Djabaki Annan, Operations Service Manager (ACC), has retained an enduring appreciation for the U.S.-based airline for many reasons. 

Annan’s introduction to Delta happened while the airline first entered the Ghanaian market in 2006. This provided Annan a unique perspective on the triumphs and challenges Delta faced – all while maintaining a reputation for delivering excellence.

The Accra-based operations manager is proud to be associated with Delta because of its community engagement, particularly its breast cancer awareness and youth development initiatives.

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Making a difference: Delta supports Walk for a Cure event in Accra, Ghana

Delta has partnered with the BCI since 2016 and has funded vital work to provide breast cancer awareness and screening program in rural areas of Ghana.

“Delta’s Breast Care International (BCI) and Junior Achievement (JA) Africa projects have greatly benefitted women and girls in Ghana,” Annan said. “Also, the youth Innovation Camps offers students experiential learning simulation exercises, helping to solve real-life business situations and preparing them as workforce for the future.”

Annan says she is fascinated by Delta’s constant pursuit of innovation to improve the customer experience.

“Over the years, I have witnessed key changes, including the transition from paper to electronic ticketing and the technological advancement of airports in Ghana and around the world, making the travel experience more seamless.”

Sarah’s current role entails managing people, procedures and processes during all stages of a Delta flight. This includes supervising check-in operations, customer experience and ramp operations. 

Alongside her day-to-day work, Sarah serves in additional roles, including: 

• Learning Records Administrator: Ensures all Delta staff and business partners handling company operations are up to date and in compliance.
• Lead Complaint Resolution Official: Handling issues related to customers with disabilities.

Sarah enjoys traveling, shopping and cooking, and is dedicated to catching up with friends and family over the phone. Her favorite destination is the Bahamas, with Miami, Florida as a close second.

When flying to the U.S., Sarah advises people to always choose Delta because of its top priorities of safety and customers’ needs, offering hospitality from the heart.

As the first U.S. airline to initiate service to Ghana, Delta remains the largest operator in the U.S.-Ghana market, offering year-round daily service from New York-JFK. 

Furthermore, in late October 2024, Delta will upgrade its aircraft serving Ghana to the 281-seat Airbus A330-900neo, adding nearly 1,000 more seats each week, providing 30% more capacity between Ghana and the U.S. The aircraft features four differentiated cabin experiences: Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin.

Delta is reinforcing its No. 1 position as the largest U.S. carrier to Africa this winter by relaunching daily* service to Lagos, Nigeria (LOS), from New York-JFK on Dec. 1. Fleet enhancements in service to Accra, Ghana (ACC), and South Africa are also underway. 

The airline carries more than half a million customers between the U.S. and Africa each year on more than 34 weekly flights. 

“These enhancements reflect our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our customers,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Senior Vice President of Network Planning. “We’re expanding our options for customers to experience the premium service and elevated hospitality they expect from Delta.” 
 
Delta currently operates daily service between Atlanta and Lagos and, with the resumption of daily New York-JFK service, will offer a total of 14 weekly flights to Nigeria in December through the first half of January and 10 weekly flights for the remainder of winter 2024. 

Customers on this flight will have a choice of Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin experiences on the Airbus A330-200. Once on board, customers in Delta One can look forward to an extensive food and beverage program that includes thoughtfully curated menu options, as well as specialty snacks and premium beer, wine and spirits. Customers flying in Delta Premium Select will have more space to relax and stretch out, with a wider seat, deeper recline, an adjustable footrest and leg rest. 

All customers can enjoy a wide selection of in-flight entertainment options – movies, TV series, music, podcasts and more – via Delta Studio. Delta also partners with diverse suppliers worldwide for in-flight products such as artisan-crafted amenity kits and beverages like Thrive Farmers Tea.

Premium upgrades in service to Ghana and South Africa 

As the first U.S. airline to initiate service to Ghana, Delta remains the largest operator in the U.S.-Ghana market, offering year-round daily service from New York-JFK.  

Furthermore, in late October 2024, Delta will upgrade its aircraft serving Ghana to the 281-seat Airbus A330-900neo, adding nearly 1,000 more seats each week, providing 30% more capacity between Ghana and the U.S. The aircraft features four differentiated cabin experiences: Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin.

Delta One Suites feature a sliding door for enhanced privacy, memory-foam mattress and soft bedding made from recycled materials. Delta One customers can also enjoy more beverage options and a seasonal chef-curated four-course meal.   
 
Delta is also upgrading its aircraft from Atlanta to South Africa, where it operates 10 weekly flights year-round to Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT). With the introduction of the higher-premium 35H Airbus A350-900, this upgrade will provide an additional eight Delta One Suite seats, bringing the total to 40, along with improved operational performance. Customers can look forward to these changes for JNB effective Jun. 20 and CPT on Sept. 9.
 
For more information and to book travel, visit delta.com. 

*This route will initially fly daily, shifting to three times per week on Jan. 16, 2025. 

​Delta's support of Breast Care International (BCI) was on full display Saturday as the organization hosted its annual Walk for a Cure in Accra, Ghana. The event has grown to include thousands of participants rallying behind the cause.

Benita Ogbona mother of five children and a five-year survivor of breast cancer was one of the women who was screened at a community outreach program by Breast Care International (BCI) sponsored by Delta. 

"That day changed my life. It saved my life," said Benita Ogbona. Benita from Nungua, in the Great Accra Region of Ghana, had attended one of the events being offered by BCI in her community. A routine check discovered a small lump, and she was able to get the help and treatment she needed.

Delta has partnered with the BCI since 2016 and has funded vital work to provide breast cancer awareness and screening program in rural areas of Ghana. With Delta's support, BCI's education program have reached more than 150,000 people, while of the more than 20,000 people screened, like Ogbona, some 2,000 suspected cases of breast cancer have been identified that may otherwise have been undetected.

"Our involvement with BCI has done a lot to raise awareness and to educate thousands of women and girls, taking out the stigma of breast cancer, particularly in rural communities," said Eloina Baddoo, Delta Sales Manager - Ghana.

"At the center of our campaign is early detection and survivorship," said Dr. Beatrice Addai Wiafe, Founder and President of Breast Care International. "It is vital that families and women afflicted by the life-threatening disease do not rely on herbal concoctions and other unapproved methods of treatment. Those women who find a suspicious lump must contact their nearest health facility for immediate attention."

This year's annual walk saw over 2,000 walkers joining the noble cause. It is Ghana's leading awareness event.