Ghana’s airspace still safest in Africa – AIB Boss

The acting Commissioner of Ghana’s Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), John Mmeb Kunyan Wumborti, has assured the public that the country’s airspace remains among the safest in Africa. This reassurance comes in the wake of a recent tragic military helicopter crash near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Wumborti cited Ghana’s remarkable performance in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) latest safety audit, which rated the country’s aviation safety at 89 per cent — the highest score in Africa.

“Someone walked up to me recently and said he was scared to board an aircraft after the crash near Obuasi,” Mr Wumborti revealed. “I assured him that a lot of work goes into preparing any aircraft before take-off.

Passengers should have confidence knowing they have a 99.99 per cent chance of arriving safely at their destinations.”

He explained that despite the unfortunate crash, Ghana’s aviation sector maintains rigorous safety measures under the supervision of agencies such as the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the AIB, and other relevant institutions.

He stressed that these agencies strictly implement international safety protocols to guarantee the security of both domestic and international airspace operations.

The reassurance comes in the wake of the August 6, 2025, crash of a Z-9 military helicopter at Adansi Brofeyedu in the Adansi Akrofuom District.

The incident claimed eight lives, including two cabinet ministers — the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Following the incident, the acting Minister of Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, announced that a board of enquiry chaired by the National Security Coordinator, with members drawn from the Ghana Air Force and AIB Ghana, has begun investigations into the cause of the accident. The committee has been given 30 days to submit its findings and recommendations.

Mr Wumborti emphasised that accidents, though unfortunate, do not diminish the safety of Ghana’s aviation sector. “We must allay the fears of citizens. When you see an aircraft in the sky, there is no need to panic — the country’s aviation safety record remains strong,” he assured.

He further stated that the AIB operates strictly under ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) to ensure professionalism, independence, and transparency in its work.