Ghana is taking a bold step to strengthen its aviation safety infrastructure through a strategic partnership between the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana) and the Ghana Air Force (GAF).
This collaboration is anchored on a shared commitment to improving aircraft accident investigation capabilities and advancing aviation safety standards both nationally and across the West African sub-region.
At the heart of this effort is the establishment of a state-of-the-art Aircraft Safety Laboratory at the Air Force Leadership Academy (AFLA), located at the Air Force Base in Tamale.
The facility will serve as a dedicated hub for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents a critical gap in Ghana’s aviation oversight system.
AIB Ghana’s leadership, headed by Mr. Samuel Gyepi, recently visited the site to assess progress and align with GAF officials, who have expressed strong backing for the project.
The partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which the Ghana Air Force has granted AIB Ghana use of the facility for an initial two-year period, with potential for extension.
Under the terms of the agreement, AIB Ghana will fully equip and furnish the lab.
Once operational, the center is expected to bolster Ghana’s ability to respond swiftly and professionally to aviation incidents and position the country as a regional leader in aviation accident investigation.
In a further show of commitment, AIB Ghana recently hosted a week-long training program titled “Principles of Aircraft Accident Investigation.”
The course, delivered in partnership with Cranfield University’s Safety and Accident Investigation Centre, is the first of its kind in West Africa.
The training brought together personnel from the Ghana Air Force and other aviation stakeholders, focusing on enhancing technical competencies and investigative best practices.
This partnership marks a turning point in Ghana’s aviation safety trajectory.
By investing in infrastructure and human capacity, both AIB Ghana and the Ghana Air Force are laying the foundation for a safer, more resilient airspace not just for Ghana, but for the entire region.
By: J.W Quarm
