Ghana’s airspace safe – Aircraft Investigation Bureau assures public
The Acting Commissioner of the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), John M. K. Wumborti, has reassured the travelling public that Ghana’s airspace remains safe, despite recent concerns arising from a Z-9 military helicopter crash and emergency landings involving other aircraft.
Addressing journalists in Accra, Mr Wumborti emphasised that the aviation sector in Ghana is guided by strict safety protocols and international standards, leaving little room for compromise.
“Before an aircraft moves, it is not child’s play. What goes into preparing an aircraft for take-off ensures that passengers have 99.999 per cent certainty of reaching their destination safely,” he stated.
Mr Wumborti disclosed that Ghana recently scored 89.89 per cent in an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety audit, which he described as clear evidence of the robustness of the nation’s aviation safety framework.
He further assured the public that preventive measures are always taken when early warning signs are detected, stressing that the safety of passengers and crew remains paramount.
“Our airspace is safe, our aircraft are safe, and we want to allay the fears of the general public. They can travel with confidence,” he said.
The Acting Commissioner also appealed to the media to support the Bureau in educating the public on aviation safety issues.
He explained that sustained public awareness and accurate information would help reduce fear and speculation whenever aviation incidents occur.
His comments come in the wake of heightened public concern following the recent helicopter crash and technical challenges experienced by some aircraft in the country.
However, aviation experts maintain that such occurrences, though unfortunate, do not necessarily indicate systemic safety lapses, especially in a heavily regulated industry.
Mr Wumborti reiterated that the AIB remains committed to investigating all incidents thoroughly and implementing recommendations to further strengthen Ghana’s aviation safety standards.
