GOV’T COMMITTED TO AIR TRAVEL SAFETY

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday, September 18, 2015

The 5^th African Region Conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA), the body of professional associations of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnels (ATSEPs), has commenced in Accra.

Hosted by the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GhATSEA), the two-day event attended by professionals from across Africa is being held under the theme, ‘ATSEP training, certification and licensing: panacea in maintaining highest aviation standards.’

Minister of Transport Dzifa Attivor reiterated government’s commitment to improving infrastructural development in the aviation sector to enhance safety.

She said government was determined to make Kotoka International Airport (KIA) the aviation hub in the sub-region, saying a comprehensive and integrated national airport system was being pursued to address the country's air transportation needs, taking into consideration land use and environmental issues.

She commended GhATSEA for its untiring effort to ensure safety in the industry, adding that the ministry would continue to be their partner for development.

Abdullai Alhassan, Acting Director-General of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said his outfit was promoting regional integration and connectivity through a vibrant and sustainable aviation industry.

He also added that the government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghana becomes the preferred regional hub in the aviation industry was vigorously being pursued.

He said GCAA was promoting regional integration and connectivity through a vibrant and sustainable aviation industry and added that they were collaborating with players in the industry to chart a new path for the industry.

Charles Asare, Managing Director of Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL), said Phase three of the airport expansion project, which includes the remodeling and expansion of its terminal including aerobridges installation, was ongoing.

Frank Kofi Apeagyei, Regional Director of IFATSEA and President of GhATSEA, said the association’s role in ensuring what he called “the interoperability, accuracy, integrity and reliability” of the air navigational systems infrastructure installed at various airports cannot be downplayed.

“ATSEP works 24 hours to ensure that safety of life equipment is running effectively to assure safety in airspace used by the airlines. ATSEP responsibilities have increased overtime due to technological advancement,” he added.

Captain Daniel Gomez, who chaired the opening ceremony, said the regulatory authority should never compromise on safety standards.

Accidents due to equipment are more frequent than accidents that happen due to professional incompetence,” he stated.