The West African Society of Air Safety Investigators (WASASI) has reaffirmed its constitutional governance framework, stressing that changes in leadership can only occur through the Society’s established procedures. The clarification followed an emergency meeting of the Executive Leadership on August 6, 2026, after media reports claimed that the Acting Commissioner of Ghana’s Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, Mr John Wumborti, had been appointed Interim President.
The Society said the reports did not reflect an official decision. Therefore, it urged members, aviation stakeholders and the media to rely only on communications issued through its authorised channels regarding leadership and institutional matters.
WASASI governance remains constitutionally driven
According to the Executive Leadership, WASASI is an independent professional society and the West African chapter of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI). Although it works closely with national accident investigation bodies and aviation institutions, it said those organisations cannot appoint or announce its leadership.
The Society explained that its Constitution, bylaws and governance procedures exclusively determine how leadership positions are filled. Consequently, appointments within government agencies or national investigation authorities do not automatically confer any office within WASASI.
The Executive further stated that the reported appointment of Mr John Wumborti was neither initiated nor approved by the Society. It added that the announcement did not arise from an election, nomination, succession process or any resolution passed by a constitutionally empowered organ of WASASI.
Meanwhile, the Society stressed that no individual may represent or speak on behalf of WASASI without proper authorisation. It also noted that no external organisation has the authority to issue statements suggesting that leadership decisions have been endorsed by the Society when no such approval exists.
In addition, WASASI clarified that holding a leadership position within a national aircraft accident investigation authority does not automatically qualify anyone to become President, Interim President or official representative of the Society. Instead, every succession process must comply with its constitutional framework.
ISASI recognises existing WASASI leadership
The Executive also addressed claims that the reported appointment automatically entitled the individual concerned to represent WASASI on the ISASI Council. It explained that representation at ISASI meetings or international forums must originate from a duly recognised position within the Society and satisfy applicable ISASI requirements.
Following the clarification sent by WASASI, ISASI President Ms Barbara Dunn confirmed that the international body would update its records to reflect Mr Akwasi Agyeibi Prempeh as the recognised President of WASASI.
In her response, Ms Dunn stated that the election of society officers is an internal matter for each ISASI chapter to manage under its own constitution and bylaws. She noted that ISASI does not intervene in such leadership issues and encouraged the Society to resolve the matter through its membership.
The Executive therefore reaffirmed that Mr Akwasi Agyeibi Prempeh remains the recognised President of WASASI, having assumed the office following the Society’s formal establishment on October 24, 2024. It said his tenure remains valid until any future leadership change is completed in accordance with both WASASI and ISASI governance provisions.
The Society also emphasised that its clarification should not be interpreted as criticism of Mr John Wumborti or Ghana’s Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau. Instead, it described the issue as one of constitutional procedure, institutional authority and the protection of the Society’s independence.
Finally, WASASI appealed to media organisations and stakeholders that published the earlier reports to update them where necessary. It said accurate reporting would help prevent confusion within the aviation community and ensure that members rely only on official communications issued by the Society.
