GCAA holds conference to mark 40 years with a call for innovation and stronger aviation partnerships

GCAA holds conference to mark 40 years with a call for innovation and stronger aviation partnerships

Director-General, GCAA delivery his remarks at the 40^th Anniversary Conference

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has held a high-level conference at its headquarters in Accra as part of activities marking its 40th anniversary celebrations, with industry leaders calling for stronger collaboration, innovation and practical reforms to transform Ghana’s aviation sector.

The event, held on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, ahead of the Authority’s official anniversary on Saturday, 16 May, brought together current and retired staff of the GCAA, airline representatives, officials from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, immigration officers and other stakeholders within the aviation industry.

In his welcome address, the Director-General of the GCAA, Rev Stephen Wilfred Arthur, described the conference as an opportunity not only to celebrate the Authority’s achievements but also to shape the future of aviation in Ghana.

“Today is not only a celebration of how far we have come, but more importantly, it is a unique opportunity to learn, to share, and to shape our future together,” he said, adding: “Because this is a future that has a foundation and that foundation was built and laid by another set of important people in our midst. Please help me appreciate our retirees.”

Rev Arthur stressed that collaboration remained essential to the success of the aviation industry, noting that regulators, airlines, policymakers and service providers must continue working together to address challenges confronting the sector.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is a no-brainer that aviation thrives on collaboration,” he said, while commending the presence of airline operators and partner institutions at the conference.

Rev Arthur also urged participants to ensure that discussions at the conference moved beyond theory and translated into measurable outcomes for the industry.

“This discussion should not always remain in the form of theory but we should ensure that our discussions and engagements translate into actionable outcomes that benefit the entire industry,” he stated.

He further emphasised the importance of passenger welfare, saying a modern aviation sector must deliver not only growth and efficiency but also respect passenger rights and improve travel experiences.

“As we deliberate on policy, operations, safety, and innovation, we must also keep at the centre of our discussions the very people that we have been called to serve — our passengers,” he said.

The Director-General reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to global aviation standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, adding that safety, fairness, accountability and collaboration remained central to the GCAA’s mission.

A major highlight of the conference was a presentation by former Director-General, Wing Commander (retired) Andy Mensah, who reflected on the early years of the Authority and the transformation of the airport enclave over time.

He recalled that before the creation of the Ghana Airports Company Limited as a separate entity, the GCAA had a workforce of about 950 employees and operated within what he described as a heavily forested airport environment.

According to him, wildlife including snakes and deer frequently crossed the runway due to the dense vegetation surrounding the airport enclave at the time.

He also recounted the operational challenges of earlier decades, noting that the air traffic control tower leaked during rainfall and visibility from the tower was poor because of the green-tinted glass installed at the facility.

Wing Commander Mensah said safety and security systems in those years were weak, creating opportunities for criminal activities such as the trafficking of illicit substances through the airport.

He contrasted those conditions with the current state of the aviation sector, describing today’s airport infrastructure and technological systems as significantly more advanced and sophisticated.

Contrasting the current situation to the past, he observed that there has been vast improvement, which he said was a source of pride to him and his contemporaries.

The conference also featured a panel discussion on key issues affecting Ghana’s aviation industry, including safety, security, airfares, operational challenges and environmental sustainability.

The panel was moderated by Mr Willie Orhin and included Wing Commander Andy Mensah, Acting Deputy Director-General (Technical) Theophilus Ago, Board Chairman of the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), Mr Dan Acquah and Mr Appiah Kusi Adomako, the West African Director of CUTS International.