BY ANTHONY OMOH
Commissioner of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA), Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh, has outlined six years of steady progress in the advancement of accident investigation capacity, regional cooperation, and aviation safety oversight across West Africa.
Engineer Erhueh handed over to the newly established Board of Directors of BAGAIA pending when a suitable candidate for the position is announced after the selection process.
Speaking at the formal handover in Praia, Cabo Verde, Erhueh described his tenure from October 2019 to October 2025 as a journey of institutional strengthening and transformation. He recalled that when he assumed office, only Nigeria and Cabo Verde had functional Accident Investigation Authorities (AIAs) in the Banjul Accord Group region. Through sustained advocacy and collaboration, five of seven member states have now established independent AIAs in line with ICAO’s principle of “No Country Left Behind.”
“When we took over in 2019, our regional framework for accident investigation was still developing. Today, BAGAIA has positioned itself as a model Regional Accident Investigation Organisation within the African aviation system,” Erhueh said.
Under his leadership, BAGAIA conducted extensive technical missions and peer support programmes that improved the safety oversight capacity of member states. A key example is Sierra Leone, whose Effective Implementation (EI) in Accident and Incident Investigation rose sharply from 11.11 percent to 40.96 percent. Its overall ICAO audit performance increased from 16.03 to 72.66 percent-proof of the agency’s targeted technical guidance and mentorship.
The agency also supported Namibia, a non-member state, in collaboration with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), to prepare for its ICAO audit. Namibia’s effective implementation in AIG improved from 70 to 79.01 percent, while its overall state score grew from 57.39 to 72.31 percent, exceeding the global average. Erhueh said these interventions show that BAGAIA’s expertise now extends beyond the BAG region, reinforcing Africa’s commitment to global aviation safety standards.
One of the defining pillars of his tenure was human capital development. Working with ICAO, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and AFCAC, BAGAIA trained over 450 investigators through workshops and technical courses in Cabo Verde, Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia. These sessions included Basic Aircraft Accident Investigation courses, workshops on the role of accident investigation in State Safety Programmes, and training on flight data recorders. He noted that while training achievements are impressive, continued on-the-job exposure and funding are needed to sustain growth and enhance practical experience for investigators.
During his administration, BAGAIA also pioneered its first-ever peer review under the EU-ASA Project, conducted at Nigeria’s NSIB facility in Abuja in 2023. The review, which involved experts from other member states, helped strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for its ICAO audit, leading to an improvement in its effective implementation score in AIG from 84 to 89 percent.
Erhueh further explained that his tenure prioritized harmonization of policies and regulatory documents to bring regional uniformity in accident investigation procedures. These include safety investigation regulations, investigation policies and procedures manuals, staff and financial rules, and the five-year strategic plan covering 2022 to 2027.
Beyond technical advancement, BAGAIA achieved institutional recognition when it was officially registered with ICAO in 2023 after a rigorous process that began during the 41st ICAO Assembly in Montreal. The registration now enables BAGAIA to receive ICAO state letters and participate directly in international forums. The agency was also officially represented at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in 2025.
BAGAIA has also broadened its partnerships, signing Memoranda of Cooperation with regional safety bodies such as the East African CASSOA in
2023, Southern Africa’s SASO at AFI week 2024, and the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) in Montreal in September 2025. These agreements have created pathways for inter-regional collaboration, joint investigations, and shared training opportunities.
A major highlight of Erhueh’s final report is the expansion of BAGAIA membership. Following a series of engagements, Equatorial Guinea has officially written to express its intention to join BAGAIA, after earlier discussions during the ICAO Assembly in Montreal in September 2025. The process is expected to proceed through diplomatic channels in accordance with the amended BAGAIA Agreement adopted in May 2025.
Accident Investigation
Reflecting on the collective gains, Erhueh said member states have issued over 340 safety recommendations and completed more than 160 investigations across the region, contributing to a record of six consecutive years without a single hull loss in BAG airspace. He emphasized that these results reflect a culture of proactive reporting and enhanced compliance with ICAO standards.
However, he warned that funding remains the agency’s biggest challenge and urged member states to pay their annual subscriptions promptly. He said the sustainability of BAGAIA’s achievements depends on consistent financial commitment, especially as the agency seeks to consolidate its work plan under the 2022–2027 strategic framework.
“We have built a solid foundation, but predictable funding is critical if we must maintain our pace and avoid setbacks,” the outgoing Commissioner stressed.
Under his watch, BAGAIA also launched an interactive website, introduced voluntary safety reporting tools, and created the agency’s first official logo and newsletters. The agency was twice recognized by the Global Business Awards in 2025, receiving the titles of Best Regional Aircraft Accident Investigation Agency in West Africa and Outstanding Contribution to Capacity Building in Air Safety Investigation.
Erhueh concluded by expressing gratitude to BAGAIA staff, the Cabo Verde host government, and regional partners for their steadfast support. He described the period between 2019 and 2025 as both challenging and rewarding, defining it as a turning point in the evolution of accident investigation in the Banjul Accord region.
“Our collective vision was simple to give West Africa a credible, independent accident investigation body capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world. I believe we have achieved that,” he said.
As BAGAIA transitions to new leadership, the agency now stands as one of Africa’s most recognized regional safety investigation institutions technically capable, globally connected, and strategically positioned to sustain its mission of safer skies.
