Cecilia Abena Dapaah
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has installed ultramodern air navigation equipment to enhance communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management within the Accra Flight Information Region (FIR).
Speaking at a ceremony, former Minister for Aviation Cecilia Abena Dapaah, said the $7 million navigation equipment, which were procured with internally generated funds, formed part of government’s programme to create an aviation hub in Ghana which would greatly enhance flight operations.
She commended the air traffic safety engineers and air traffic controllers for keeping the ageing air navigation system running without any disruption to flight operations.
The former minister said she had been informed that the newly installed equipment have high frequency radios which provide controller-pilot communications in the remote oceanic portions of Ghana’s flight information region (FIR); air traffic management which provide situational awareness to air traffic controllers to ensure the safety of flight operations.
“The aperture terminal system will enable Ghana extend the range of its voice communication between air traffic controllers and pilots and also remote radar data to ensure effective aircraft surveillance over the whole of Ghana’s continental airspace.”
Ms Dapaah entreated engineers and technicians of the authority to adopt a good maintenance culture in order to ensure efficiency of the expensive equipment.
Noting that the ministry was keenly monitoring the ongoing GCAA restructuring programme of separating air navigation services from regulatory services, she urged the authority to ensure efficient and sustainable operations of both entities after the separation.
Director-General GCAA, Simon Allotey, said the procurement of the air navigation equipment falls in line with policy objectives of the GCAA to ensure sustainable growth in the aviation industry.
“It will help with maintenance of the highest standards of safety and security in the provision of air transport,” he added.
Mr Allotey thanked the President for showing keen interest in the aviation industry and Ms Dapaah for bringing dynamism into the industry.
By Maame Anima Akowuah