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African governments set aviation
safety as high priority
Accra, July 31,
Ghanadot/GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Thursday
said with Africa having been criticized for its poor record
in air safety and security, it was praiseworthy that African
governments through the African Union, had set the
improvement of safety and security in aviation in Africa as
a high priority.
He said the government of Ghana would ensure the
implementation of programmes to correct deficiencies in
policies, regulatory regimes and infrastructure for the
provision of safe and secure air services.
Vice President Mahama said this in a speech read on his
behalf by Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Defence, at the
opening of the 18th Airports Council International (ACI)
Africa Annual Assembly Regional Conference and Exhibition in
Accra.
Under the theme; "Aviation Safety and Security in Africa:
New Roles for Airport Operators," the conference is being
attended by over 300 aviation experts, intellectuals and
service providers from several African member countries,
Europe and North America.
He noted that air travel remained the safest mode of mass
transport, adding that the industry had thus put in place
its own standards and recommended practices, as well as
national and international audit programs which had
effectively assessed the level of implementation of the
agreed standards and recommended practices by contracting
states.
Alhaji Aliu reminded participants that they were expected to
set the trends for the industry saying, "I encourage you to
keep in mind that Africa looks up to you for designing
workable solutions to ensure maximum contribution of the
aviation industry and airports to the much needed economic
development in Africa."
Mr Joe Baidoe-Ansah, Minister of Aviation, said air
transport in Africa was crucial to socio-economic progress.
He noted that since it remained the safest and fastest means
of transport, it had become apparent over the years that
there was the need for co-operation among African states to
ensure more efficiency in the industry within the continent.
Mr Baidoe-Ansah noted that although some of the challenges
facing the aviation industry had been raised and flogged at
similar forums, "the time is overdue for us to implement at
least the key decisions of our previous meetings".
The Minister said in spite of different interests as
individual states, we should be prepared to sacrifice some
of them for the greater good of the continent or "continue
to render ourselves incapable of holding our own against
other interests”.
Mr. George Muhoho, President of ACI-Africa, said African air
traffic continued to grow above world level.
He said in 2007, ACI Africa members' airports handled over
137 million passengers representing an 11 per cent increase
from 2006, adding that, data for the first semester of 2008
showed that growth continued.
Mr Muhoho noted, however, that not all the sub-regions of
Africa had the same growth rate, saying the east and north
Africa sub-regions continued to grow faster with over 145
increase of passenger volume compared to the year 2006 while
the western Africa sub-region had a growth rate of only
seven per cent.
He said some airports had double-digit growth rate whilst
others barely kept the traffic volume of the previous year.
"Yet the overall picture of the African air traffic remains
one growing above the world level," he said.
Mr Muhoho noted that whilst growth was crucial to the
aviation industry, this could not be achieved without sound
safety measures.
He said through concerted efforts and combined planning, it
was possible to find answers that would ensure sustained
growth in the aviation industry.
Mrs Essi Anno Sackey, Managing Director of the Ghana
Airports Company Ltd, said despite difficulties as the fuel
crisis which had also hit the aviation industry, a lot was
still expected of the sector, especially in the areas of
safety and dependability.
She said the aviation sector was seen to be one that must
pave the way for others industries to follow, in terms of
safer, secure and environmentally friendly practices.
"We should respond positively by assuming our industrial,
corporate and social responsibilities," she added.
The conference ends on August 1, 2008.
GNA
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