President John Dramani Mahama on Monday commissioned the new Air Navigation Services (ANS) Building at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra (KIA).
The President also performed the launching of the Ghana’s Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) Systems, which are contained within the building.
The building will serve as the central operational hub for delivering critical air navigation functions, ensuring the safe, orderly and efficient movement of aircraft in both controlled airspace and at aerodromes.
This state-of-the-art infrastructure will support a full suite of aviation services, including Air Traffic Services (ATS), Air Traffic Management (ATM), Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS), Aeronautical Information Services/Aeronautical Information Management (AIS/AIM) and Meteorological Services for Air Navigation (MET).
The ANS build will house the Multi-Agency Command Centre (MACC) – a national collaborative operations centre comprising key stakeholders such as: INTERPOL, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Ghana Police Service, Customs Division – Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana National Fire Service and other relevant international partners.
The President, in his keynote address, said the event marks another milestone in their effort to strengthen Ghana’s aviation sector and project the country as a regional hub for safe, secure, modern air transport services.
“This is not merely the unveiling of an infrastructural project. It manifests our commitment to transforming our aviation sector through strategic investments, digital innovation, and global best practices,” he stated.
He added: “It represents our resolve to build a 21st century aviation ecosystem that is anchored on safety, efficiency, interagency collaboration, and service excellence. As many know, Ghana has maintained a strong reputation for aviation safety and airspace security in the West African subregion.”
President Mahama said this reputation had not been accidental; stating that it results from deliberate investment in the regulation, in training of personnel, in infrastructure, and the diligence of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and air navigation professionals; adding that the commissioning of the ANS building further consolidates these efforts.
He said this ultra-modern facility would now serve as a net center for Ghana’s airspace management, and it is fully equipped with the following air traffic services and management, communication, navigation, and surveillance systems, aeronautical information services, and meteorological services.
The President said with this infrastructure, Ghana’s aviation professionals, particularly our air traffic controllers and system engineers, would operate in a conducive, technologically advanced environment, enhancing air safety, reducing delays, and improving coordination within the aircraft flight information region.
He said however even more critically, the facility underpins their broader national vision to position Ghana as the aviation hub of West Africa.
For that to happen, “we must not only build terminals and runways, but we must also invest meaningfully in the invisible backbone of air travel, and that is air navigation and safety oversight,” the President said.
President Mahama said beyond the fiscal infrastructure, the launch of the Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) System signifies a technological and strategic leap forward.
He said with the API and PNR systems, Ghana joins a growing list of countries that are complying with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178, annex 9 of the International Civil Aviation Organization global frameworks that enhance border security, counterterrorism, and safe mobility.
“The importance of these systems cannot be overstated. They will enable our security agencies to collect and process passenger data in real time, identify potential threats before arrival or departure, streamline immigration and custom procedures, and enhance the overall efficiency and security of air travel,” he said.
“This means that Ghana is not just ensuring the safety of its skies. We are contributing to regional and global security architecture in an age where threats transcend our borders and information is our first line of defense.”
Mr. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Transport Minister, said the commissioning of the ANS Building and the launch of the API and PNR Systems were a testament to the Government’s commitment towards maintaining a high safety and security of Ghana’s airspace.
“Aviation safety and security are crucial elements of the air transport industry. And effective safety and security measures are essential for maintaining public trust,” he said.
Reverend Stephen Wilfred Arthur, Acting Director-General Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, expressed gratitude to the President for the honour in appointing him as the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority.
He reiterated his commitment to advancing the President’s vision of “Resetting and Transforming Ghana’s Aviation sector into a resilient, secure and future ready Industry.”
Mr. Francis Bullen Gavor, the CEO of Rock Africa, said the API/PNR Command Centre was a national security infrastructure built to strengthen prearrival intelligence, inter-agencies collaborations and broader decision-making.
The system, he said, replaces the outdated paper-based manifest processes with real time structured and secured data access.
GNA