Ghana may, by middle of next year, become a United States Federal Aviation Administration (US-FAA) Category One nation in aviation business, the Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has told B&FT.

The new status represents very high aviation safety and security standards and countries wishing to fly to the United States of America (USA) must have the certification.

This will allow Ghanaian registered aircraft to fly directly into that country. Airlines registered in Ghana lost the right to fly into the airspace of the United States in 2001 following the revocation of the category one status assigned to Ghana by the US Federal Aviation Authority. Since then Ghanaian airlines have missed out on the opportunity to do business on the lucrative United States route.

Air Commodore Kwame Mamphey (rtd) Director-General of the GCAA in an exclusive interview with B&FT said his outfit was working seriously with the FAA to get Ghana’s category One status restored by middle of next year..

“Officials of FAA were in the country last year and conducted an audit on our aviation infrastructure. Internally too, we have contracted a consultant to help basically with the documentation. We should be ready hopefully by middle of next year to invite the FAA for an audit.”

Currently, there are only three African countries namely Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria which have attained the category one status, and that allows their airlines to fly directly to the US. US, being a major voice of global aviation, came up with the certification to ensure the safety and security of her citizens. Any country with Category One means her airlines flying into the US are operating within highest safety envelope.

It also means they are economically sound, fly healthy airplanes, possess well-trained crew and above all possess impeccable security record, especially in this era of global terrorism. Thus, this new status, if attained, means the country will no longer hide under the table when “serious and developed” nations are thrashing out aviation matters on the global scene.

Enumerating the benefits, Air Cdre Mamphey said: “It impinges on all other activities, it will give a huge boost to the image of Ghana within the international business community. Globally, people will reckon Ghana as a major player in the aviation industry. It will attract more businesses, and investments into the country.”

He describes the process as an expensive, tedious, time consuming and yet very vital certification. The GCAA boss, like other aviation stakeholders believe that Category One, as an emblem of excellent aviation safety practice, can help improve the image of the sector and make it irresistible for foreign investors.

Air Cdre Mamphey who has been in office in only one year said currently there are about 33 airlines flying into the country adding that the increase did not happen by chance but based on certain strategic initiatives embarked upon by GCAA and Ghana Airports Company.

He said GCAA had to leverage on Ghana’s good aviation safety record, stable political environment among others to entice airlines to operate in Ghana to boost the economy. “When you have this unique selling proposition, you don’t sit and expect that the airlines will come by themselves. You have to move to them, and market the aviation industry to them so that it will see the business sense in doing business in Ghana.”

He also hinted that government is reviewing the national aviation policy due to the dynamic nature of the global aviation industry. “When the policy comes out, GCAA will come out with the necessary enforcements and regulations which are consistent with requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and other international bodies.

“Moreover, the aviation industry is very dynamic, and you must match what is happening as it relates to safety, aircraft design, air navigation among others. You must be abreast with the changes with regard to international conventions and recommendations.”