Ghana has good aviation security record --Minister

Accra, Aug. 20, GNA - Ghana is one of the countries in the sub-region with a good aviation security and safety record, in spite of modern threats that the aviation industry faces. "This is not to say that we are not aware of the massive challenge facing our industry as regards the illegal import and export of illicit drugs through our airports," Ms. Gloria Akuffo, Minister of Aviation, said in Accra on Monday.

Her speech was read on her behalf, at the official opening of the first Crisis Management Course organised by the Ghana Airports Company Limited, in conjunction with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) from August 20 to 31.

She said it was however, worth noting that the recent spate of reports on arrests of illegal drug traffickers in the country was an indication of the vigilance of aviation and other security agencies. The Minister noted that security threats against the aviation industry could only be countered by well developed programmes, saying, "at the centre of effective implementation of these programmes is the human being who needs to be trained to effectively carry out these measures to protect the travelling public."

She said the Ministry of Aviation was committed to the global initiative of ICAO on the Universal Aviation Security audit programme, which sought to ensure compliance with ICAO Annex 7 which dealt with the prevention of unlawful acts against international Civil Aviation. Ms. Gloria Akuffo entreated participants to put in their best in order to derive maximum benefits from the course.

She also urged staff of Aviation Security in the country to remain alert and endeavour to flush out the few bad nuts whose negative activities "tend to overshadow the good works of the majority".

Mr.Simon Allotey, Acting Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority said with safety and security being the central pillars of the aviation industry, there was the need to develop capacity to deal with all manner of security threats.

The course participants were made up of various stakeholder institutions and organisations that operate at the airport, including the Ghana Immigration Service, Narcotics Board, Customs Excise and Preventive Services, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airports Company Limited.