The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana) marked its 5th anniversary on Monday, January 19, 2026, with reflections on its progress in establishing a credible, independent body dedicated to aviation safety in line with international standards.
The Bureau was established under the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau Act, 2020 (Act 1028), which was passed by Parliament and assented to by the President on October 6, 2020.
The legislation created an autonomous entity to investigate, prevent, regulate, and oversee aircraft accidents and incidents occurring in Ghana, including within its airspace and jurisdiction, as well as those involving Ghana-registered aircraft elsewhere.
This move fulfilled Ghana’s obligations under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13, which emphasises independent investigations focused on prevention rather than blame or punishment.
In his address at the anniversary celebration, Acting Commissioner John M. K. Wumborti described the establishment of the Bureau as a “bold, deliberate, and forward-looking step” by the state to create an independent safety authority.
“For the past five years, the Aircraft Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau has worked hard to translate its mandate into practice. We have focused on building an institution that is credible and professional and trusted,” Wumborti stated.
He highlighted key achievements, including conducting investigations into aircraft accidents and incidents across commercial aviation, general aviation, and other activities within Ghana’s airspace and jurisdiction.
These probes, he noted, have adhered to established procedures and international standards.
“We issued safety recommendations to relevant authorities and operators aimed at addressing systematic risks. These recommendations contributed to improvement [in] our operational procedures, oversight mechanisms and safety awareness across the aviation ecosystem,” he added.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, who spoke on behalf of Sector Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe, underscored the broader importance of such investigations in sustaining aviation safety.
“Aviation safety is not defined merely by the absence of accidents; rather, it is sustained by robust systems, sound practices, and frameworks that anticipate risks and manage hazards effectively when they arise,” she said.
Affo-Toffey emphasised that aircraft accident investigations’ primary purpose is prevention of future occurrences, a principle firmly enshrined in ICAO Annex 13, which guides credible investigations worldwide.
The anniversary event celebrated the Bureau’s role in enhancing Ghana’s aviation safety ecosystem amid preparations for upcoming ICAO audits and ongoing stakeholder collaborations.
Over the years, AIB Ghana has engaged with entities like the Ghana Air Force, Navy, and others to strengthen emergency response and safety frameworks.