In a landmark development for African aviation, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has agreed in principle to accept staff attachments and secondments from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), effective immediately, following high-level discussions at the sidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) General Assembly.
Brokered by GCAA’s Acting Director-General, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, during a courtesy call on QCAA Director-General Mr. Mohamed bin Al-Hajri, this initiative promises to elevate the skills and professional competence of Ghanaian aviation personnel through immersive training in Qatar’s world-class aviation system.
The partnership, hailed as a catalyst for GCAA’s transformation agenda, will see staff deployed for up to three weeks in key areas such as Aerodrome and Safety, Air Traffic Management, Human Resources, and Finance, offering hands-on exposure to global best practices.
Rev. Arthur, championing his “Leave No Staff Behind” mantra, emphasized the critical need for continuous training and international exposure to keep Ghana’s aviation sector competitive, describing GCAA staff as “among the most dedicated and disciplined” and predicting mutual benefits from their expertise.
Mr. Al-Hajri praised Arthur’s vision and reaffirmed QCAA’s commitment to supporting this capacity-building effort, noting Qatar’s recent strides in aviation excellence as an ideal platform for collaboration.
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The Acting Director-General also revealed plans to extend similar programs with global aviation bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) UAE, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Singapore Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), signaling a bold expansion of Ghana’s human resource development strategy.
Ghana stands to gain significantly from this partnership, tapping into Qatar’s globally recognized aviation ecosystem, which integrates digital innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability. The QCAA has rolled out over 100 specialized digital services—covering passenger complaints, crew licensing, and aircraft certification—with a second phase underway to expand to 160, cementing Qatar’s leadership in aviation digitization.
This exposure will enhance GCAA’s technical competence and safety oversight, aligning with Rev. Arthur’s vision to revolutionize service delivery across all departments. Qatar’s achievements further bolster the alliance: Hamad International Airport managed a record 4 million passengers monthly in 2023, supported by 44 airlines connecting nearly 190 cities, while new radar systems covering 250 miles and compliance scores exceeding 90% in ICAO safety audits and 99% in security standards showcase its operational prowess.
Additionally, Qatar’s leadership in environmental initiatives, including the ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme (CORSIA) and the release of its first National Climatological Atlas under Qatar National Vision 2030, offers GCAA staff a blueprint for sustainable aviation growth, further solidified by QCAA’s collaboration with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and ICAO fellowship programs.
