Civil Aviation Authority establishes committee for aircraft accidents

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA ) has set up a committee of experts in the Western Region who would readily respond to accidents involving aircraft.

The committee dubbed “Emergency Operation Committee,” comprises those institutions and agencies directly related to such accidents.

They are made up of representatives of the Media, Airforce, the Security Agencies, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, GCCA, Environmental Protection Agency, National Disaster Management Organisation, Forestry Commission and Health workers.

The rest are from the Ghana Maritime Authority, Meteorological Department, Fishermen Association, the Airlines, Immigration Services and Metro Mass Transit.

Mr Martin Adu Boafo, Manager in charge of Search and Rescue of the GCAA, briefing the members of the committee at a three day seminar in Takoradi, said the committee was necessary in view of the air crashes of late.

Recently a local aircraft belonging to Starbow, crash-landed at the Tamale airport, while some time last year a similar incident occurred on the high seas in the Western Region, killing two passengers.

Mr Adu Boafo stressed that members were expected to get themselves readily available to go into action in the event of such incidents in order to alleviate the impact of the accident.

As a result, Mr Boafo said a guiding document titled “Emergency Preparedness and Plan for Aircraft Accident” has been prepared to guide the committee in time of accidents.

Members would discuss and approve it and use it as the workable document.

The Search and Rescue Manager said a simulation exercise on emergency conflict would be organised for members in due course.

Source: GNA