Accra, April 28, GNA - The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), has launched its 25th anniversary celebrations on the theme: 9325 years of Aviation Safety and Security". The month-long celebrations would be marked by activities such as symposium, a parade, games, dinner and a thanksgiving service that would serve as a platform for the public to get to know what goes on in the aviation industry. Mr Twumasi Ankrah Selby, Chief Planning Officer at the Ministry of Transport, launched the celebrations on behalf of the Sector Minister on Wednesday in Accra.

He said the aviation industry was developing at a very fast pace and that the Government recognized the importance of the industry and its contributions to the economic development of the nation. Mr Ankrah noted that the success of the GCAA was due to effective policies and prudent management rather than chance. He commended the Authority and its staff for their achievements, especially the enviable record of making Ghana's airspace the safest and most secure in Africa.

"The GCAA has performed with excellence and stands out as one of the best state-owned enterprises" he added. Mr Ankrah pledged government's continued support for the Authority and its stakeholders in order to achieve the national objective of making the Kotoka International Airport the aviation hub of the West African sub-region.

Air Commodore Kwame Mamphey (Retired), Director-General of the GCAA, said it was about time the Authority took stock of its operations to expand in order to achieve its aim of being the preferred aviation services provider in West Africa. This, he said, could be done by stating a clear vision, recruiting the best people, and creating an environment in which staff feel free to innovate and be inspired in their work. He stated that the Authority would work with both local and international stakeholders to attract more people to use air transport as a safe and secure means of transportation. Air Commodore Mamphey Rtd said especially so when Ghana had become an oil-producing country and she would experience increased air traffic in relation to the production of oil and related support services.

He said the Authority would partner telecommunications industries in the installation of a new multi-lateration system to enhance communication navigation and surveillance capabilities in the Accra flight information region. He pledged GCAA's commitment to attaining international excellence in its service provision.