As part of the on-going reforms in the aviation sector, in line with international standards, a new entity, an Investigation Unit is set to be formed, following the passage of an amendment of the Ghana Civil Aviation Act 906 (2016).

The entity will be an independent body under the Minister of Aviation, which will undertake investigations into accidents and serious incidents in the sector.

The amendment makes provision for the funding of this independent outfit to ensure effective work by its personnel.

According to the Aviation Minister, Joseph Kofi Adda the impending new institution is expected to benefit from the Airport Passenger Service Charge (APSC) collected by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) as a source of funding.

Aside the Investigation Unit, an Air Navigation Service (ANS), which is to be created from the decoupling of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), will also benefit from the Airport Passenger Service Charge.

Both the Investigation Unit and ANS are set out to receive 1.5 percent and 7.5 percent respectively, from the APSC for their operations.

With regards to the GCAA Amendment Bill that will pave the way for the two bodies to be established, Mr. Adda said the amendment is to ensure that Ghana is ICAO compliant.

The Aviation Ministry is expected to facilitate the introduction of additional regulations to be passed through by the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament, all in time for an audit by ICAO later this month.

With the passage of the amendment, Ghana’s rating will improve and bring the country into the Category 1 Status to qualify under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Ghanaian flights to enter into the United States of America.