The policy statement on the decoupling of air navigation services from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is set to be made by the end of this month [October].
This should also deepen the regulatory function of the Authority.
The Deputy Aviation Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko disclosed this to Citi Business News at the sidelines of the first African Air Expo in Accra.
According to him, the move should also augment processes of improving safety at Ghana’s airports and attract more investors into the country.
“Basically the plan is to decouple air navigation services from the regulatory services. The regulatory services sometimes have to do with making sure that airlines are providing quality of service and so must the airport itself provide the quality of service,”
“The navigational services are also to ensure safety and the idea is for them to provide essential services for instance to ensure that developments such as plane crashes are averted,” Mr. Okyere Darko indicated.
Until 2006, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was in charge of planning, developing, managing and maintaining all airports and aerodromes in Ghana.
These included supervisory role over the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Kumasi International Airport, Tamale Airport, Sunyani Airport, Ho Airport, WA Airstrip as well as various Airstrips.
But in conformity with international best practices, these roles were separated from the GCAA leading to the establishment of the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL).
The decoupling occurred in 2006 and the GACL commenced business on 1st January 2007.
GCAA enforces new consumer right rules
In a related development, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority will in 2018 begin the implementation of new regulations on consumer protection rights in conformity with international standards.
The move will also extend to other economic practices by the various airline operators to increase Ghana’s competitiveness.
The absence of adequate laws to address issues faced by marginalized persons and groups have hampered efforts to make Ghana an aviation hub hence the need to reverse the trend.
The Director General of the GCAA, Simon Allotey explains to Citi Business News the new laws will afford passengers comfort and give value for money.
“Currently we are looking at introducing new directives on consumer protection and economic regulations, hopefully that should be implemented from next year. After that, there are other amendments to our regulations we will be looking at so it is a continuous process.”
“Just as ICAO continuously updates its standards and its recommended practices, we have to keep in line and also update our regulations…because technology is changing so as are business processes,” Mr. Allotey added.
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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana