Ing Simon Allotey – Director-General of GCAA
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has disclosed that no air carrier should operate in the aviation industry in Ghana without an Air Operators Certificate (AOC).
Director-General of GCAA, Ing Simon Allotey, made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting on passenger rights and consumer protection directives recently in Accra.
The GCAA earlier warned the general public against using Gold Star Airlines and Global Ghana Airlines that do not have the requisite authorization to fly to the destinations they have been advertising.
Mr. Allotey stated that “the problem is that if you are not properly certified as an airline and you are advertising sale of tickets, then it raises questions about your credibility which is our major concern.”
This raises ethical issues which can be likened to a medical student, who has not finished his course for the necessary practising certificate but advertises.
He noted that as the country’s regulator of the aviation sector, GCAA would everything possible to ensure that everyone who wants to come into the industry conforms with the laid down processes to ensure safety for all Ghanaians.
He, however, encouraged the airlines to continue their certification processes, and pledged the Authority’s support to making sure that the certification is successfully done without compromising on safety.
During the stakeholders’ meeting, Ing Allotey reiterated GCAA’s commitment to making sure that the rights of passengers are protected.
He noted that countries all over the world were issuing directives to protect consumers and uphold passenger rights.
The stakeholders’ meeting was aimed at getting a working document from GCAA to protect the rights of passengers in Ghana’s aviation industry.
By Akpene Darko-Cobbina