Aircraft Accident Bureau pushes for nationwide rescue integration
Ghana’s Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB) is seeking to integrate its operations with the Ghana National Ambulance Service to strengthen the country’s emergency response system and improve aircraft accident investigations.
The move is part of a broader strategy to fill critical geographical response gaps and bring nationwide coverage to the AIB’s activities, according to Acting Commissioner John M.K. Wumborti, who led a high-level visit to the Ghana Ambulance Service this week.
“Our airspace is vast, and accidents can happen anywhere,” Mr. Wumborti said during the meeting. “We recognize that your footprint across the country makes the Ambulance Service an essential partner in fulfilling our mandate.”
The AIB, established in 2020, is mandated under Ghanaian law and international aviation conventions to investigate aircraft accidents and promote aviation safety.
The bureau’s role had previously been handled by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), but international standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) called for a separate, independent investigative body to avoid regulatory conflicts.
Ghana has been recognized as one of the first countries in West Africa to comply with this requirement. The country’s air safety oversight recently earned a 99.8 percent rating from ICAO, placing it among the highest-scoring nations globally.
The achievement, according to Mr. Wumborti, reflects a commitment by President Mahama’s administration to prioritize safety and regulatory excellence in the aviation sector.
With only offices in Accra and Tamale, the AIB faces logistical challenges when responding to incidents in remote areas. In contrast, the Ambulance Service has personnel and facilities in all 16 regions. This, officials say, presents a unique opportunity to bridge the operational divide.
“Aircraft accidents don’t choose location—they can happen anywhere,” Mr. Wumborti noted, stressing the importance of nationwide coordination.
He said the Bureau aims to collaborate on joint training, simulation exercises, and the development of standardized protocols for first responders.
Technical Adviser to the Bureau, Alhaji Saani Adams, highlighted the international dimensions of aircraft accident investigations, pointing out that multiple countries may be involved due to the global nature of aircraft manufacturing and ownership.
“We can have over 20 countries interested in a single accident, and they all want to know what happened, from the design of the aircraft to the engine, even the tyres,” Mr. Adams explained.
Mr. Wumborti also emphasized the legal basis for cooperation, citing Act 1028, which recognizes the Ambulance Service as a key player in search and rescue operations. “Our law mandates collaboration, especially when there are survivors who need immediate medical attention,” he said.
The Bureau is exploring possibilities to expand its scope to include investigations into rail and maritime accidents, following trends in countries like Nigeria. But for now, the focus remains on building a robust aviation response system.
“Strong institutions are built through collaboration,” Mr. Wumborti said. “And this partnership is an example of what we must continue to strengthen for national development.”
Prof. Ahmed N. Zakariah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Ambulance Service, emphasized the need to prioritize public education and preventive measures in ensuring safety within the country’s air transport sector.
He highlighted the importance of the new Air Incident Bureau (AIB) law and described it as a step in the right direction.
He also called for stronger research collaborations and continuous improvement, noting that the Ambulance Service has identified critical areas where support is needed.
According to him, while some airports are performing well with regard to safety protocols, others lag behind, particularly in meeting the mandatory requirement of having ambulance services on-site.
“Time is of the essence during emergencies, so ambulances shouldn’t be transported from long distances,” he said, urging that all airports be equipped with designated ambulance service offices as part of the Bureau’s recommendations.
Prof. Zakariah further stressed the need to introduce an air ambulance system to complement the country’s improved land ambulance service. He explained that such a system is no longer a luxury but a necessity, especially in the event of accidents in remote areas that are difficult to access by road.
He clarified that the air force, though occasionally relied upon, is not a substitute for a dedicated air ambulance system.
He called for enhanced collaboration with the air force and relevant stakeholders to establish this system and reiterated his long-standing advocacy on the matter.
“Several attempts have been made, but none has materialised. With the Commissioner now in place, we should be able to make a strong case and move it forward,” he said.