GCAA Hosts ICAO’s Instrument Flight Procedure Design Instructors Training Programme at GATA

GCAA Hosts ICAO’s Instrument Flight Procedure Design Instructors Training Programme at GATA

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Monday, June 8, 2026, officially opened a three-week International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Instrument Flight Procedure Design (PANS-OPS) Instructors Training Programme at the Air Navigation Services Complex at Accra International Airport.

The programme is being hosted by the Ghana Civil Aviation Training Academy (GATA) and has brought together participants from civil aviation authorities across Africa, including Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Opening the programme, the Director-General of GCAA, Rev. Stephen Wilfred-Arthur, underscored the critical role of flight procedure design in ensuring safe and efficient air navigation.

“Flight Procedure Design remains a cornerstone of safe and efficient air navigation. The accuracy, reliability and integrity of these procedures are essential for safe departures, en-route operations and precision approaches,” he said.

Rev. Arthur noted that the instructor training programme is particularly significant because it strengthens both individual competencies and institutional capacity.

“By training instructors, we are creating a sustainable framework for continuous knowledge transfer within our States and across the region,” he stated.

He expressed GCAA’s appreciation to ICAO, particularly its Western and Central African (WACAF) Office, for its continued partnership and leadership in aviation capacity development.

“Your support continues to play a vital role in helping Member States align with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and in strengthening safety oversight systems across the region,” he said.

Reaffirming GCAA’s commitment to aviation safety, security and training excellence, Rev. Arthur said the Authority, through GATA, is steadily positioning Ghana as a regional hub for aviation training.

“By providing high-quality programmes that respond to the evolving needs of the aviation industry, we are strengthening regional cooperation and technical capacity in air navigation services,” he added.

He encouraged participants to actively engage in the programme, exchange ideas, share experiences and build lasting professional networks.

“The expertise you gain here will have a direct impact on the safety and efficiency of flight operations within your respective States,” he said.

In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Director of GATA, Ing. Frankkofi Appeagyei, by Mr. Emmanuel Adu Boafo, a Manager at the Academy, participants were reminded of the importance of flight procedure design as a highly specialised and safety-critical function that directly contributes to the safety, efficiency and accessibility of air transport operations.

Mr. Adu Boafo noted that the programme also supports one of ICAO’s critical elements of safety oversight, which is the development of qualified technical personnel and continuous capacity-building.

“As the training arm of GCAA, GATA remains committed to developing aviation professionals through competency-based training, knowledge sharing and capacity-building initiatives that strengthen aviation systems in Ghana, across Africa and beyond,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to ICAO for selecting GATA to host the programme.

“This demonstrates confidence in our Academy’s training capabilities and reinforces our shared commitment to advancing aviation training and safety worldwide. I encourage you to actively engage in experiential learning and make the most of this valuable opportunity,” he added.

Participants of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Instrument Flight Procedure Design (PANS-OPS) Instructors Training Programme at the ANS Complex

The Manager of the African Flight Procedure Programme (AFPP), Mr. Alexandre Damiba, also expressed appreciation to GCAA and GATA for their continued commitment to aviation capacity-building in Africa.

According to him, the long-standing partnership between GCAA and AFPP reflects a shared commitment to strengthening technical competencies across the continent.

Mr. Damiba observed that Africa continues to face significant aviation safety challenges and accounts for a disproportionately high share of global safety concerns.

“One of the contributing factors identified by ICAO is the shortage of qualified personnel capable of effectively overseeing and supporting the implementation of flight procedure programmes,” he noted.

He described the instructor training programme as timely and essential for strengthening the capacity of African flight procedure instructors and improving the continent’s aviation safety record.

The three-week programme is expected to enhance the skills of participants and contribute to stronger safety oversight and more effective flight procedure implementation across Africa.