The Acting Commissioner of the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), Mr John M.K.
Wumborti, paid a working visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, at the Naval Headquarters in Accra on Friday.It formed part of the Acting Commissioner's strategic outreach to key stakeholders in Ghana's aviation and security space.During discussion, Wumborti said the Navy remained a critical partner in aviation safety, especially in the area of search and rescue operations that occur in maritime zones under Ghanaian jurisdiction.He reiterated his bid to deepen stakeholder engagement and strengthen Ghana's aviation safety and emergency response framework.Giving a detailed brief on the functions of the AIB, the Technical Adviser to the Acting Commissioner, Alhaji Saani Adams, emphasised the global nature of civil aviation and its interconnected risks. "Aircraft transportation is the most international means of travel.
Aviation space is a multistate environment where everything that happens to an aircraft often involves many nations," he said.He explained that under Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Ghana through the AIB is obligated to investigate civil aircraft accidents and incidents within the Accra Flight Information Region (FIR) saying "This responsibility is not just a national mandate, but an international duty guided by ICAO protocols."Alhaji Adams added that Act 1028, which established the AIB, empowers the bureau to act independently and professionally in fulfilling these functions."The competence and capacity of AIB to carry out its work is critical.
It's one of the key indicators used globally to assess a country's aviation safety performance, though we are a young institution, we are held to international standards, and there is no room for excuses," he said.Rear Admiral Bessing on his part, expressed his appreciation for the visit, calling it both enlightening and timely and pledged the Navy's commitment to mutual cooperation with the AIB."We welcome this partnership and suggest establishing a standing committee to streamline coordination in the event of any aviation-related maritime incidents," he said.The Admiral also highlighted existing maritime operation centres situated along Ghana's coastline and indicated that while their current mandate extends only to Ghana's territorial waters, efforts are underway to expand surveillance capabilities to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through the use of advanced technologies.Deputy Director of Intelligence at the Ghana Navy, Commander Michael Asiamah, called for stronger integration between the Navy and AIB."We recommend including AIB personnel in some of our simulation exercises, especially those involving emergency response scenarios.
