Ghana’s aviation regulator is set to complete the construction of a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower at Kotoka International Airport by the end of year, a key infrastructure project aimed at boosting safety and efficiency in the country’s airspace.
The new facility, described as ultra-modern and technologically advanced, will replace the current tower, which has long exceeded its operational lifespan.
It is expected to significantly enhance air traffic management capabilities within the Accra Flight Information Region, which spans several countries in the Gulf of Guinea sub-region.
Stephen W. Arthur, Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said at the Authority’s 39th anniversary celebration in Accra that the project remains on track for completion by 2025.
“The current tower has served us well, but it has outlived its usefulness,” Mr. Arthur said. “The new control tower will rival any in the world in terms of design and functionality.”
GCAA is undertaking the project as part of a broader modernization and institutional reform drive, which also includes the separation of its regulatory function from air navigation services. The move aligns with international best practices advocated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Rev. Arthur confirmed that an internal committee established to oversee the decoupling process is nearing the end of its work and will soon submit its report to the Ministry of Transport.
Once implemented, the reforms will pave the way for the creation of an independent Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP), allowing the GCAA to concentrate exclusively on its oversight role.
“This structural realignment reflects our commitment to specialization, efficiency, and global standards,” he said.
The decoupling is seen as critical to improving service delivery and ensuring regulatory impartiality, particularly as Ghana’s aviation sector expands to accommodate growing regional traffic and investment.
Over the past four decades, the GCAA has played a central role in shaping the aviation landscape in West Africa. Originally established in 1930, the Authority was granted legal status in 1986 under PNDC Law 151.
Since then, it has grown to become one of Africa’s most respected civil aviation bodies, regularly earning plaudits for its adherence to safety protocols and global aviation benchmarks.
Mr. Arthur used the occasion to highlight efforts to improve staff discipline and morale, unveiling new strategies that include clearer performance expectations, professional development programs, and an enhanced employee recognition scheme.
He emphasized the importance of teamwork and inclusivity, saying the agency’s internal theme of “No Staff Left Behind” is meant to foster a positive work culture. “Every member of our team must feel empowered and valued,” he said, adding that GCAA’s continued success depends on a unified and motivated workforce.
The event brought together top officials from the aviation industry, including representatives from the Ghana Airports Company Ltd., the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau, and retired GCAA personnel.
Ghana’s aviation sector has seen steady growth over the past decade, with the GCAA overseeing an increase in traffic volumes and new route development.
Authorities are betting on infrastructure upgrades like the new control tower to sustain that momentum and position Accra as a leading aviation hub in West Africa.
