GCAA launches 40th anniversary activities amidst praise from Transport Minister

GCAA launches 40th anniversary activities amidst praise from Transport Minister

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has officially launched activities to commemorate its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of safeguarding Ghana’s skies and advancing the nation’s aviation sector.

The launch ceremony, held at the Authority’s headquarters at the Kotoka International Airport on Monday, February 16, 2026, brought together government officials, industry stakeholders including airlines, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, security representatives, the Board of Directors, Management and staff of GCAA, as well as development partners to reflect on past achievements and chart a course for the future.

Delivering the keynote address as Guest of Honour, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe praised the GCAA for its exemplary record of professionalism, operational excellence, and strong governance.

He noted that the aviation sector has remained one of the most stable under his ministry, attributing this success to the dedication and competence of the Authority’s leadership and staff.

According to him, the GCAA stands today as one of Ghana’s most accomplished state institutions, having previously been adjudged the best state-owned enterprise and ranked among the top public institutions in the country.

The Minister emphasised the government’s longstanding recognition of aviation as a critical driver of national development.

He highlighted key legislative reforms, including the separation of airport operations from regulation, as pivotal steps that strengthened oversight and efficiency within the sector.

Mr Nikpe noted that significant investments in infrastructure, from modern air navigation systems and surveillance technology to training facilities and air traffic management infrastructure, have reinforced safety and security across Ghana’s airspace.

These efforts, he said, align with the national vision of positioning Ghana as the aviation hub of West Africa.

Mr. Nikpe also outlined ongoing initiatives to expand aviation capacity, including upgrades to regional airports, enhanced security systems, and major developments at Kotoka International Airport such as a new air traffic control tower and a connecting concourse between Terminals 2 and 3 to ease congestion.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to reviving a national airline, strengthening Ghana’s reputation as a centre of aviation excellence and renaming of the airport to Accra International Airport.

Taking his turn to speak, Board Chairman Ing. Simon Allotey described the Authority’s four-decade journey as a relay race built on continuity, teamwork, and trust.

He cited the 2006 decoupling of airport operations from regulation as a transformative milestone that strengthened oversight and allowed each institution to focus on its core mandate.

On the international stage, he noted that the GCAA has earned global respect, highlighted by Ghana’s outstanding ICAO safety audit score and representation on key international aviation bodies.

He said recent developments, including the commissioning of a modern Air Navigation Services Complex and the Advanced Passenger Information & Passenger Name Record centre, further underscore the Authority’s commitment to world-class service delivery.

Looking ahead, Ing. Allotey urged the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance safety, efficiency, and passenger experience.

He said forty years is not a finish line but a launchpad, and called on staff to deliver their “greatest lap yet.”

The Director-General, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur echoed these sentiments, affirming the Authority’s ambition to become a world-class regulator and air navigation service provider.

He paid tribute to former Directors-General such as the late Dr E.R.K. Dwemoh, Wg. Cdr. Andy Mensah (Rtd), Capt. Joe Boakye, Nii Mansa Badu, Air Cdr. Kwame Mamphey, Mr. Abdulai Alhassan, Ing. Simon Allotey and Ing. Charles Kraikue, as leaders who laid a solid foundation for the current crop of leaders and staff members to take the Authority to even greater heights.

Rev. Arthur also acknowledged the vital role of airlines, partners, and retirees in shaping the industry.

He pledged continued investment in staff development reiterating that no staff member will be left behind in anything the organisation does.

Rev. Arthur also urged stakeholders in the industry to be innovative and aim for regulatory excellence to meet evolving aviation challenges.

Rev. Arthur also expressed his appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Transport for his appointment and subsequent confirmation as the substantive Director-General of the GCAA.

Chairperson of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Madam Pat Bonsu, outlined a rich calendar of activities designed to engage both the aviation community and the public.

These include media outreach programmes, corporate social responsibility initiatives, departmental events, exhibitions, school open days, and an inter-agency health walk.

A major anniversary conference will examine the sector’s progress and future prospects, while cultural activities will celebrate Ghana’s diversity.

The celebrations will culminate in a grand dinner at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra, where milestones will be honoured in a formal setting.