Accra: Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong, Chief of Air Staff, affirmed the Ghana Air Force's commitment to safeguarding the nation's airports and airspace, emphasizing the importance of national security.
According to Ghana News Agency, Air Vice Marshal Agyen-Frempong made this assurance during the launch of the Aviation Security Culture Week, organized by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL). The event, themed 'Promoting a Strong and Dynamic Security Culture', gathered aviation security experts, industry players, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors. The week-long event, ending on Friday, February 13, is a first in Ghana's aviation industry and includes various activities such as security awareness training, stakeholder engagements, and quiz competitions.
Air Vice Marshal Agyen-Frempong highlighted that the aviation industry is a high-risk environment requiring continuous vigilance and collaboration. He stressed the need for a strong security culture and called for a stakeholder approach to maintain safeguards. He urged individuals in the airport ecosystem to recognize security as a collective responsibility, promoting the principle 'See it, Say it, Secure it' to encourage vigilance and prompt reporting.
He emphasized the importance of innovation and technology in countering emerging threats, advocating for intelligence-driven monitoring and modern screening equipment. The Chief of Air Staff reiterated that security is an evolving process requiring commitment and cooperation from all stakeholders.
Mr. Ademola Oladele, representing the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for West and Central Africa, praised Ghana's prioritization of aviation security. He commended the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for its coordination with ICAO and noted Ghana's high level of implementation during ICAO's oversight audit in 2024. He warned against weak security cultures, which could expose vulnerabilities and undermine public confidence.
Mr. Nathaniel Kwadodeh, Assistant Director of Aviation Security Training, emphasized that security culture is a strategic national priority. He highlighted the critical role of the human factor in security, noting that technology alone cannot guarantee safety. Mr. Kwadodeh urged the Ministry of Transport and National Security Authorities to provide strong policy direction and urged the GCAA to strengthen regulatory frameworks. He called on GACL to implement risk-based security measures while maintaining ICAO standards and encouraged vigilance among security personnel.
The launch of the Aviation Security Culture Week marks the beginning of a journey toward strengthening aviation security in Ghana, reinforcing that security at Ghana's airports is a national responsibility.