Security crucial in aviation - minister

Accra, Sept. 1, GNA - Since the September 11 attacks in the United States, safety and security have become very crucial issues within the aviation industry. It has therefore become necessary now more than ever, to review security measures within the industry on a very regular bases.

Ms. Gloria Akuffo, Minister of Aviation, said in Accra, at the closing ceremony of an Aviation Security Crisis Management Course. The Minister noted that Ghana as a contracting state of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), had over the years been a partner in the measures that had been instituted by the organization to enhance safety and security in the industry. She noted that Ghana had since September 11, kept faith with ICAO by instituting and intensifying measures to prevent acts of unlawful interference in air-transport.

Ms. Akuffo said the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had also submitted itself to the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, as well as security audits to identify and address deficiencies within its system.

"The recent review of the use of our VIP lounges and the installation of security enhanced equipment such as close circuit television at the Kotoka International Airport, are also measures meant to enhance security at the airport," she said.

The Minister noted that Ghana had also gained immense assistance from its development partners, especially the United Kingdom (UK). She said, through the UK, government had stepped up its fight against narcotics trafficking and other related activities at its ports through a revenue and customs system, code named: "Operation Westbridge."

The Minister noted that the vision to make Accra a hub of air transport in the sub-region came with challenges as passenger and baggage throughput increased.

"In this regard the importance of this course cannot be over-emphasised."

She told the course participants to endeavour to put to practice what they had learnt from the course. "I would want us to understand that what we have been taken through over the past several days would serve as pointers only and that the actual learning would be done on the job."

Ms. Akuffo urged participants to impart their knowledge to those who could not attend the course since it was not possible for all workers within the aviation sector to attend such courses at the same time.

Mr. Simon Allotey, Acting Director Genneral of the GCAA, commended the course participants and said unless knowledge was put into revision, one could easily loose what he had learnt in the course of time. Each participant was awarded with a certificate at the end of the course which was presented to them by Ms. Akuffo.

The course, which began on August 20 and ended on August 31, was attended by 40 participants, consisting of members of the security agencies, aviation security personnel, GCAA and Ghana Airports Company limited staff, media personnel, pilots and other workers and stakeholders in the aviation sector.

It was organized by the Ghana Airports Company Ltd. in conjunction with ICAO, under the instruction of Mr. Alhassan Dolo, an ICAO representative. 01 Sept.07