Accra Dec. 15, GNA - Dr. Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport, on Monday said government is committed to safety in the aviation industry, especially in these times of heightened alertness to security in the industry.

He said government has therefore, taken several measures to improve that sector, which includes up to date communication, navigation, and survey lands equipment for the Kotoka International Airport.

He said others, include the procurement of aircraft salvaging equipment capable of lifting up to a Boeing 747 aircraft as well as the provision of a rescue and fire service training schools in Accra. Dr Anane said this at the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association's (GHAPSEA) day celebration in Accra, which was under the theme, "Safe guarding aviation radio spectrum- your safety depends on it."

He said because safety continues to be a leading policy objectives of civil aviation authorities the world over, there is the need for continuous improvement in the facilities of equipment at aviation installations.

Dr Anane stressed the expectations of government of the early installation of the aero-bridges at the airport to ensure ground safety and comfort of passengers.

He noted that since equipment alone does not provide safety, management of the Ghana civil aviation authority should pay attention to the training of human resource to man this equipment efficiently and effectively.

The Minister also took the opportunity to educate those present on the spread of HIV/AIDS saying, " we must in all our undertaken be conscious of spate of this scourge of the disease, bearing in mind that prevention is the key to it containment."

Nii Adumansa Badoo, Deputy Director General, Finance and Administration of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said GCAA has contracted a loan of ten million dollars from the International Commercial Bank to purchase the appropriate electronic system for the check-in of passengers and luggage, adding that by the first quarter of the year 2005 the new departure hall would be opened to the public.

He express his appreciation to GHAPSEA for not limiting itself to ensure the welfare and conditions of service for its members alone, but also placing greater attention on professional development as well as technical and operational issues that would enhance the work of GCAA.

The chairman of the GCAA Board, Dr. Kwabena Richardson urged the staff not to be complacent over the fact that they are rated category A and said the 21st century would demand hard work from them. Other topics discussed, included air navigation service, safety security in air traffic management and optimising maintenance in GCAA