Ghana’s exceptional and outstanding contributions to aviation training within the sub-region was, recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with the UN specialized agency honoring the West African nation with its prestigious TRAINAIR PLUS Silver membership award.
The award was jointly presented to the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, by the President of the ICAO Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano, and the Secretary General of ICAO, Juan Carlos Salazar at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Asiamah received the award on behalf of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), an agency under the Ministry of Transport that operates the Ghana Civil Aviation Training Academy (GATA).
The symposium which was held from April 29 – May 2, 2024, was under the theme ‘Optimizing Aviation Capacity: Strategies for Safe Skies, Sustainable Future’, with discussions also focusing on pivotal implementation support activities.
GATA benefitted from transitioning into the new membership recognition framework having performed within the TRAINAIR PLUS Programme (TTP) in 2023 and generated sufficient training miles that enabled the Academy to successfully transition into the new TTP Framework, granting a SILVER Membership in 2024.
The Silver membership recognition status gives the GATA the leverage to host ICAO TRAINAIR Plus courses, promote the implementation of an affordable competency-based approach for aviation training, and streamline and facilitate the implementation and development of TRAINAIR Plus methodology used in Standard Training Packages (STPs).
It also affords GATA the opportunity to coordinate and supply technical support for the training of instructors, maintenance and monitoring of high standards of training and competency of aviation personnel on a worldwide basis and in a cost-effective manner while responding to the ICAO critical element 4 on personnel training and qualification.
The honor further reduces Ghana’s annual subscription rate paid to ICAO on behalf of the GATA by US$5,000.00.
Asiamah, who was the Special Guest of Honor at the Symposium, also participated as a panelist in a high-level round table discussion on the aviation industry where he touted Ghana’s achievements in the industry. He also shared with the audience plans the Ministry of Transport has put in place to ensure Ghana’s emerging aviation industry becomes the best in the world.
Among the diverse discussions at the symposium was also the topic on ‘Nurturing a Skilled and Adaptable Workforce Capable of Mastering Evolving Technologies’ as well as dedicated panel sessions on training which explored the significance of continuous learning and emerging technologies in driving effective capacity projects ranging from key sectors of the industry.
The discussants also explored the impact of capacity development as key drivers of economic resilience. The symposium also provided an excellent platform for networking with industry experts, aviation professionals, and representatives from regulatory bodies, leading to potential collaborations and partnerships.
For the past three years, the Ministry of Transport has supported the GCAA’s participation in this symposium which has contributed to an improved operations and quality of the training products that GATA offers. It has also elevated GATA’s status with ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Program (TPP).
Each participation by the Ministry of Transport and the GCAA with a good representation accrues a score of 5percent which ultimately adds to several training activities performed by the Training Academy. The aggregate accumulated score above 75percent ultimately transitions the Academy into the next higher membership status with a reduction in the annual subscription fees.
Among the minister’s delegation to the symposium was the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ing. Charles Kraikue.
