[dropcap]D[/dropcap]eputy Director General ( Technical) Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Daniel Acquah has underscored the importance of aircraft accident and incident investigation stressing its fundamental importance to a state’s safety oversight system.
He made this known during the Aviation Safety Investigation Day 2023 with theme: Working Together for an Innovative and Sustainable Global Aviation held at the La palm Beach Resort Ghana where he said accident and incident investigations are about analysing and uncovering the truth behind them, and implementing measures to prevent future recurrence.
Acquah who also doubles as the Chairman of the event said,”These investigations aim to identify systemic issues, procedural weaknesses, and human factors that may have contributed to the accident or incident.
According to Acquah, the aviation sector is growing fast and will continue to grow opening opportunities for innovations in the aviation such as a technologies, new operations, new types of aircraft,however, he stressed that this growth presents major challenges to regulators, accident investigation authorities, operators, and service providers in how aviation safety is to be improved and sustained.
He said this year’s theme is apt as it underscores the importance of coordination and collaboration efforts expected to be played by all industry players in improving aviation safety and in a sustainable manner.
Commissioner of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency ( BAGAIA), Engineer Charles Irikefe Erhueh who gave the opening speech equally agreed to the aptness of the theme stating that the key conversation is working together as that is what has kept BAGAIA improving.
‘If you look at how we have helped our fellow brothers on their quest to attain International standards and other certifications you will truly grasp what togetherness has done for the region and how it has put a focal light on our activities.”
“BAGAIA has helped the Ghanaians, Liberian, and Sierra Leonean States establish independent accident investigation agencies and even beyond our region our brotherhood has attracted other states to our ideals so we can replicate what we have here.’
“In terms of opportunities, there is no better.”
He thanked all the speakers, and Stakeholders from far and near, and encouraged delegates to fully involved in the discussions.
Also speaking AIB Ghana Commissioner, Mr. Prempeh Akwasi said the symposium was aimed at educating stakeholders on the importance of safety and having proper processes and procedures to guard against accidents
He said,”I would like to lay out the major outcomes of this symposium with respect to the theme which is educating airline operators, stakeholders and the general public on the investigation of aircraft accidents or incidents and the improvement of safety in the aviation industry.
Overall, the Symposium will address the following topics described below: Experience and best practices, Communication of sensitive information and related protocols on aircraft accidents; Current and Future Activities in Accident Investigation and Prevention.
