US Downgrades Ghana's Air Safety Rating

... Ministry of Aviation Silent?
The United States' Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found Ghana to be an unsafe port of origin, downgrading the country's rating in its international air safety assessment.

In its new Flight Standards Service-International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) released January 8, the FAA downgraded the country's rating from category 1 to category 2.

Countries that fall under category 1 are those which comply with ICAO aviation safety standards, while those that fall under category 2 do not.

The aviation watchdog cited "serious concerns" about government oversight of air operations which, it said, were not in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards.

The FAA said it downgraded Ghana to a Category 2 rating, along with countries such as Philippines, Bangladesh, Ivory Coast and Indonesia because it lacked the laws and regulations necessary for the certification and oversight of air carriers, according to minimum international standards.

As a result, any Ghanaian Airline that intends to fly to America can only do so "under heightened FAA surveillance". Currently, no Ghanaian carrier flies to the US, but the action jeopardizes Ghana International Airlines' expansion plans into North America.

Mrs. Gloria Akuffo, Minister of Aviation, has not issued any statement yet on FAA's action although, according to a source, the Ghana government received the report in advance.

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority website has no information on the downgrade.

In the Philippines, President Arroyo fired the country's aviation chief and ordered improvements in air safety standards within three months.