At the recently concluded 12th Commission Meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA), held in Abuja, Nigeria, Ghana’s commitment to aviation safety and regional cooperation was strongly reaffirmed by the Acting Commissioner of the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana), Mr. John M.K. Wumborti.
Delivering Ghana’s official statement, Mr. Wumborti expressed profound appreciation to the organizers for convening what he described as a “critical platform” for advancing regional aviation safety.
“This meeting presents a vital opportunity to assess our collective progress, refine our initiatives, and deepen strategic cooperation in our shared pursuit of aviation safety,” he said.
Strong Progress Under New Leadership
Since assuming office in April 2025, Mr. Wumborti has led AIB Ghana through a period of transformation, initiating several strategic reforms aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and AIB’s commitments to BAGAIA.
Key among these efforts is Ghana’s early preparation for the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) scheduled for 2026/2027. Under his leadership, the Bureau has begun self-assessments and submitted detailed reviews of amendments to ICAO Annexes 13 and 19, ensuring the country’s full audit readiness.
Institutional Strengthening and Victim Support
AIB Ghana has also established a Documentation Review and Implementation Committee, which has produced vital operational manuals and policy documents, including:
Aircraft Accident Assistance for Victims and Their Families Procedures Manual
Victim Assistance Policy
Cabin Safety Investigation Manual
State Safety Policy Statement
These documents, according to Mr. Wumborti, are aimed at standardizing procedures and improving support to accident victims and their families.
Strengthening Field Engagement
To promote proactive safety oversight, AIB Ghana has conducted working visits to various airports nationwide, engaging directly with airport management teams to assess adherence to safety protocols and identify areas for improvement.
“These engagements help us gain critical insight into day-to-day operations and foster collaboration to ensure safer skies,” Mr. Wumborti said.
Regional and Domestic Partnerships
As part of strengthening inter-agency cooperation, AIB Ghana has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key stakeholders including:
Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL)
Ghana Police Service (GPS)
Bureau d’Enquêtes Accident du Bénin (BEA Benin)
Bureau Togolais d’Enquête d’Accidents d’Aviation (BTEA, Togo)
These agreements are designed to ensure swift, coordinated response and information sharing in the event of an aviation occurrence.
Training and Capacity Building
Under Mr. Wumborti’s leadership, AIB Ghana has invested in building internal capacity through several international training opportunities, including:
A State Safety Programme (SSP) Workshop facilitated by ICAO WACAF and EASA
A Flight Data Analysis Course in Kigali, Rwanda
An internal Smart Workplace Training to streamline administrative functions
Participation in the RSOO/RAIO Strategic Plan Validation Workshop for regional oversight bodies
These efforts aim to improve technical competencies, data interpretation, and workflow efficiency within the Bureau.
What’s Next for AIB Ghana?
Looking ahead, Mr. Wumborti outlined key initiatives planned for the next phase of the Bureau’s development:
- Legislative Reforms – Amendment of Act 1028 (2020) and L.I. 2483 (2024) to fully embed ICAO SARPs into national law.
- Table-Top Simulation Exercises – Testing of national accident response coordination with all MoU partners.
- State Safety Programme (SSP) Implementation – Establishing an SSP Unit within AIB Ghana in collaboration with GCAA.
- Youth Development – Participation in the ICAO Next Generation Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit in Durban, South Africa in August 2025.
“We are committed to nurturing young professionals who will be the future custodians of aviation safety in Ghana,” he added.
A Call for Collective Responsibility
Concluding his address, Mr. Wumborti emphasized the need for sustained regional collaboration and unity of purpose.
“AIB Ghana remains fully committed to collaborating with BAGAIA and our partners. It is only through shared responsibility and continuous engagement that we can ensure a resilient, safe, and forward-looking aviation sector for our region,” he said.
As the aviation industry in West Africa continues to grow, AIB Ghana’s renewed focus under Mr. Wumborti’s leadership is setting a benchmark for proactive safety management, institutional accountability, and regional cooperation.