The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), has started a training programme to build the capacity of its newly appointed investigators.

The training seeks to help the investigators deliver a solid agency to investigate and prevent aircraft accidents within the country’s airspace.

Twenty investigators selected from the Ghana Air Force (GHF), the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other stakeholder agencies had attended the first of the training regime.

The participants were provided orientation on the functions and operations of the AIB, as well as legislation and associated policies and procedures for the conduct of investigation and prevention into aircraft accidents and incidents in the country.

Familiarisation

Opening the five-day training programme in Accra last Monday, the acting Commissioner of the Bureau, Mr Akwasi Agyeibi Prempeh,said the training was expected to help the investigators to familiarise with standards and recommended practices relating to accidents and incidents investigation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“As you all know, training a person for aircraft and incident investigations and prevention involves several phases and that the indoctrination training programme is designed as an initial training for investigators,” he said.

International civil aviation

Mr Prempeh said the country’s commitment to international civil aviation was solid, which was a demonstration of the establishment of the bureau.

He said the AIB was mandated to independently investigate, prevent, regulate and oversee the management of aircraft accidents and incidents in the country and the Accra Flight Information Region.

In carrying out its mandate, he said the bureau was mindful of the high safety and security standards achieved by the country in global aviation and was committed to maintaining or improving on those standards.

“The bureau has established mechanisms and processes to ensure aircraft accidents and incidents in Ghana are carried out in a standardised and well-coordinated manner in accordance with provisions contained in the Chicago Convention and the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in the ICAO,” he said.

That was because the outcome of an accident or incident investigation was largely dependent on the aviation knowledge, skills and experience of the assigned aircraft accident and incident investigators.

Depth of investigation

Mr Prempeh stated that participants of the training programme would be equipped to understand the depth of investigation, which was necessary for an investigation to conform to the legislation, regulations and other requirements of the state.

“The investigators will obtain knowledge on ability to collect, document and preserve evidence; the ability to identify and analyse pertinent evidence in order to determine the causes and, if appropriate, make safety recommendations, as well as the ability to write a final report that meets the requirements of the accident investigation authority of the state conducting the investigation.

“It is my expectation that this programme will further enhance your knowledge and understanding in emerging practices in aircraft accidents and incidents investigation,” he added.