LR: Mr. Rene Tavares, ICAO-WCAF Regional Officer-Flight Safety; Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh, BAGAIA Commissioner; Dr Carlos Jorge Duate Santos, Hon. Minister of Transport and Tourism of Cabo Verde; Engr. Jorge Manuel Rodrigues, Chairman of the IPIAAM Board of Directors; Mr. Akwasi Agyeibi Prempeh, Commissioner of AAIB-Ghana/President of WASASI; Mr. Sulayman Jatta, Deputy Director General/Deputy Head of BAG Secretariat.

The 11th Meeting of the Commission of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) has taken place at Hotel Tropico, Cidade da Praia, Cabo Verde with a call for collaboration.

The meeting seeks to advance aviation safety, strengthen member state collaboration, and enhance accident investigation capabilities in the region.

In his opening remarks, BAGAIA Commissioner, Engineer Charles Irikefe Erhueh, emphasized the importance of the gathering and acknowledged Cabo Verde’s pivotal role in hosting it.

He praised the government and the Minister of Tourism and Transport, Dr. Carlos Santos, for their unwavering commitment to aviation safety.

“Minister Santos, your efforts reflect a steadfast dedication to ensuring safe skies for all,” Erhueh stated.

This three-day event provides a platform for member states to exchange knowledge, discuss challenges, and develop strategic frameworks to improve aviation safety.

Discussions will focus on advanced technical training, sustainable financing for safety initiatives, and expanding BAGAIA’s network. These priorities aim to position the region as a leader in accident investigation practices.

During the opening session, Minister Carlos Santos reaffirmed Cabo Verde’s strategic vision to strengthen its aviation sector and integrate into global air transport networks.

He outlined the government’s ambition to transform the nation into a regional air hub that enhances tourism and connectivity between West Africa and other continents.

“Our participation in BAGAIA is rooted in a clear vision to bolster air transport’s role in fostering economic growth,” Santos remarked.

He stressed that Cabo Verde remains fully committed to the principles of BAGAIA and the Banjul Agreement Group (BAG), ensuring safe and efficient air transport across the sub-region.

Santos assured attendees of the government’s resolve to implement actionable outcomes from the meeting.

“Cabo Verde will remain proactive in aligning with BAGAIA’s objectives to elevate aviation safety standards and promote regional cooperation,” he added.

Delegates from member states, including Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, joined aviation stakeholders to discuss pressing safety issues.

Minister Santos expressed optimism about the meeting’s potential to generate impactful recommendations for harmonizing practices with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

“This forum allows us to share critical insights and best practices while exploring innovative solutions to common challenges,” Santos highlighted.

He noted that such collaboration reinforces regional commitment to ensuring aviation safety through collective expertise.

Commissioner Erhueh reflected on BAGAIA’s progress over over five years, reaffirming its mission to conduct independent investigations that meet global benchmarks.

He acknowledged that continuous improvement and innovation in investigation practices are essential to strengthening aviation safety.

“As we gather here, we reaffirm our duty to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety across our member states,” Erhueh said.

He emphasized that this meeting serves as a springboard for transformative ideas that will shape the future of aviation safety in the region.

The meeting, which runs until December 18, is hosted in collaboration with Cabo Verde’s Ministry of Tourism and Transport, the General Directorate of Air Economy, and the Institute for the Prevention and Investigation of Aeronautical and Maritime Accidents (IPIAAM).

With a focus on actionable strategies and strengthening partnerships, BAGAIA’s 11th Commission Meeting underscores the collective resolve to prioritize aviation safety.