By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, Feb. 10, GNA – Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong, Chief of Air Staff, says the Ghana Air Force is fully committed to safeguarding the nation’s airports, airspace and national security.
“Truth be told, the aviation industry is a high-risk environment, and we must stay ahead of all emerging threats,” he noted.
“As Chief of the Air Staff, I give you my assurance that the Ghana Air Force remains ever ready, vigilant, and fully committed to the protection and defense of our airports, the airspace, and our nation,” he emphasised.
The Chief of Air Staff gave the assurance on Monday at the launch of the Aviation Security Culture Week, organised by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL).
The event on the theme: “Promoting a Strong and Dynamic Security Culture”,
brought together aviation security experts, industry players and key stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
The week-long Aviation Security Culture Week, which will end on Friday, February 13, is the first of its kind in Ghana’s aviation industry.
Activities include security awareness training for aviation personnel and service providers, stakeholder engagements, passenger interactions, quiz competitions and awards.
Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong described the aviation industry as a “high-risk environment” that required continuous vigilance, innovation and collaboration to stay ahead of evolving threats.
He noted that a strong and dynamic security culture was central to effective aviation security, adding that security must be seen as everyone’s responsibility within the airport ecosystem.
He, therefore, called for a stakeholder approach to maintain the safeguards and tight security.
“Threats do not announce themselves, nor do they follow predictable paths. No one can determine the direction that a threat may emerge from.”
“For this reason, every individual within the airport ecosystem and its environments must recognise that we are all potential targets, and hence we should be critical defenders of our shared stakes,” he said.
The Chief of Air Staff encouraged stakeholders to adopt the guiding principle “See it, Say it, Secure it,” which promoted vigilance, prompt reporting and collective responsibility.
He highlighted the need to embrace innovation and technology, including intelligence-driven monitoring, modern screening equipment and airspace defence systems, to counter emerging threats.
“Security is not a static concept. It is a continuous, evolving process that demands vigilance, commitment and cooperation from all stakeholders,” he said.
Mr Ademola Oladele, Representative of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for West and Central Africa (WACAF), commended Ghana for prioritising aviation security despite competing national demands.
He praised the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for its effective coordination with the ICAO Regional Office and noted that Ghana recorded a high level of effective implementation during ICAO’s oversight audit conducted in 2024.
“A strong and positive security culture is a priority for ICAO and a central element of ICAO’s Global Aviation Security Plan,” he said.
Mr Oladele said aviation security was an integral part of national security, warning that weak security culture could expose vulnerabilities, undermine public confidence and result in severe economic consequences.
He encouraged stakeholders to embed security consciousness into daily operations, noting that security should be “the way we do things” rather than a one-off activity.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility – from industry leaders to frontline workers, from taxi drivers to those working at airport rental outlets,” he added.
Delivering a presentation on security culture, Mr Nathaniel Kwadodeh, Assistant Director of Aviation Security (AVSEC) Training, described security culture as a strategic national priority rather than merely an operational function.
He said recent global aviation incidents had highlighted the critical role of the human factor in security failures, adding that technology alone could not guarantee safety.
“Complacency is the enemy of security. Technology can fail, but human judgement adapts,” he said.
Mr Kwadodeh urged the Ministry of Transport and National Security Authorities to provide strong policy direction and strategic oversight, while urging the GCAA to strengthen regulatory frameworks and oversight systems.
He also tasked GACL to implement risk-based security measures while maintaining ICAO Annex 17 minimum standards, and urged aircraft operators, service providers and security personnel to remain vigilant, professional and compliant with security requirements.
He said the launch marked the beginning of a continuous journey toward strengthening aviation security in Ghana.
“A strong security culture is the foundation of effective aviation security, and security at Ghana’s airports is a national responsibility,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage
