Air traffic controllers commended

Accra, Oct. 20, GNA - Ms Gloria Akuffo, Minister of Aviation, on Friday praised air traffic controllers in Ghana, saying pilots have expressed satisfaction with the competence with which the Accra Flight Information Region Air Traffic Controllers have been discharging their duties.

"The absence of any serious aircraft accident in the region bears clear testimony to this," she said.

Ms Akuffo said this at the International Air Traffic Controllers Day celebration, which fell on Friday.

The celebration was under the theme: "Safety and Security, First and Always Top Priority."

Ms Akuffo said to ensure the continued efficiency of Air Traffic Controllers, the Ministry in collaboration with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) would ensure the sustained availability of the needed tools and equipment for their duties.

She called for discipline and collaboration amongst all stakeholders in the aviation industry saying, "that way we shall be able to achieve the objectives contained in your theme". Mr Foster Danso, President of the Ghana Air Traffic Controllers Association (GHATCA), said there was a steady growth in air traffic volume in the Accra Flight Region and there was the need for more air traffic controllers.

He said while this problem had to be addressed, there was also the need for measures that would help to prevent the country's air traffic controllers from being poached by other air navigation service providers.

Mr Danso called for proper certification of air navigation service providers as well as competent supporting staff. He also called on the authorities to develop the technical and management expertise of air traffic controllers. The GCAA, GHATCA and the Ghana Air Force sponsored the celebration, which is the fourth to be held in the country. 20 Oct. 06