AIB Ghana Commissioner calls for practical application of training to enhance aviation safety

The Commissioner of the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana), John Wumboriti, has urged aircraft accident investigators and other aviation stakeholders to put the knowledge and skills acquired through professional training into practice to enhance aviation safety and prevent future accidents.

Mr. Wumboriti was speaking at the closing ceremony of a one-week aircraft accident investigation training programme in Accra.

It was facilitated by experts from Cranfield University, a lecturer in Aircraft Accident Investigation and Transport Safety at Cranfield University Dr Abdulwahd Abushalla, and Jeremy Turner.

Commissioner Wumboriti stressed the importance of continuous capacity building in preparing Ghana’s aviation sector for future growth.

He explained that the training formed part of broader efforts to strengthen the competencies of aviation safety professionals as Ghana works towards achieving President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of positioning the country as a major aviation hub.

According to him, the anticipated expansion of aviation activities will require relevant institutions, including AIB Ghana, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airports Company, to enhance their operational readiness and safety oversight capabilities.

“The President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, told the whole world that before he leaves office, he would want Ghana to be an aviation hub,” he stated.

Mr Wumboriti noted that the country’s ambition to become an aviation hub makes it necessary for investigators to continuously upgrade their skills to effectively respond to the demands of a growing aviation industry.

He explained that the training would equip investigators with the technical knowledge and practical competencies required to carry out their responsibilities more effectively.

The Commissioner further emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among aviation stakeholders, particularly in the area of safety reporting.

He appealed to airlines, air traffic controllers, and other industry players to provide timely and accurate safety reports to enable the Bureau to identify potential risks, analyse emerging trends, and make appropriate recommendations to prevent accidents.

“We need a lot of safety reporting from our aviation stakeholders. We need the airlines to report to us so that we’ll be able to analyse the data and give better safety recommendations,” he said.

Commissioner Wumboriti also disclosed that the Bureau had undertaken additional training in aviation safety reporting and data management systems as part of efforts to improve its accident prevention capabilities.

He revealed that plans are underway to procure specialised software to support the analysis of safety data collected through incident reports.

According to him, access to reliable safety information, supported by effective data analysis, would enable investigators to identify potential hazards and recommend preventive measures before accidents occur.

Beyond strengthening the capacity of AIB Ghana staff, the Commissioner explained that the training programme brought together participants from other institutions, including the Ghana Police Service, the military, and relevant aviation agencies.

He said the decision to involve these institutions was intended to promote inter-agency cooperation and ensure a coordinated approach to aviation accident investigations and prevention.

Commissioner Wumboriti therefore urged participants to demonstrate the practical value of the training by applying their newly acquired skills in their respective institutions.

“I encouraged them that when they get back to their various institutions, they should apply this knowledge that they have acquired here so that it will help us in our safety bid,” he stated.

He described the week-long programme as highly impactful and expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would contribute significantly to improving aviation safety standards in Ghana.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdul-Abushalla described the training programme as successful, expressing optimism that it would enhance the technical knowledge, investigative skills, and professional competencies of participants.

He also expressed hope that similar capacity-building initiatives would be extended to other African countries to strengthen aviation accident investigation and prevention capabilities across the continent.

Aircraft accident investigator Captain Paul Fordjoe commended facilitators from Cranfield University for sharing their expertise, describing the training as valuable to AIB Ghana and the country’s aviation sector.

He reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to strengthening aviation safety through continuous training and improved accident prevention measures.

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