AIB ramps up aviation safety oversight ahead of 2026 ICAO audit

The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana) is intensifying efforts to strengthen its aviation safety systems in preparation for the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) scheduled for 2026/2027.

The Commissioner of AIB Ghana, John M. K. Wumborti, disclosed the Bureau’s progress during the 12th Commission Meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

He noted that a self-assessment process is already underway to meet the requirements of ICAO’s Continuous Monitoring Approach.

As part of this push, the Bureau has reviewed and submitted proposed amendments to ICAO standards, particularly those related to Annexes 13 and 19, which deal with aircraft accident investigation and safety management systems.

Mr. Wumborti said the Bureau is “committed to ensuring that ICAO requirements and SARPs are embedded in Ghana’s national laws,” and has initiated a review of its legislative framework, including Act 1028 (2020) and L.I. 2483 (2024).

AIB Ghana is also developing internal systems to streamline operations and standardise safety procedures. A Documentation Review and Implementation Committee has produced key manuals such as the Aircraft Accident Assistance for Victims and Families Policy, the Cabin Safety Investigation Manual, and the State Safety Policy Statement.

To improve operational readiness, the Bureau is introducing table-top simulation exercises and a national pre-preparation response plan aimed at testing coordination mechanisms among its domestic and regional partners.

The agency is also investing in capacity building. Staff have undergone training in flight data analysis and participated in regional workshops on aviation safety occurrence reporting. AIB Ghana plans to attend the ICAO Next Generation Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit in South Africa this August to expose junior staff to international best practices.

Efforts to strengthen collaboration continue through signed Memoranda of Understanding with key local and international institutions, including the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ghana Airport Company, and aviation investigation bodies in Benin and Togo.

Mr. Wumborti emphasised that regional cooperation remains vital: “It is only through sustained collaboration that we can strengthen and enhance the resilience of our aviation sector.”

The Bureau’s strategic plan also includes setting up a dedicated State Safety Programme (SSP) Unit to work closely with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority in advancing a data-driven safety oversight approach.

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