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A picture for certified Sierra Leone Airports Authority has certified 10 Air Traffic Control Officers in Aerodrome and Approach Control refresher training and 50 aeronautical and non-aeronautical staff in Quality Management System basic training, as part of a new collaboration with the Ghana Aviation Training Academy.
Certificates were issued on 22 June 2026 following the completion of the programmes. The training was enabled by a Memorandum of Understanding signed between SLAA and GATA. According to SLAA, General Manager Jack D.K. Massaquoi interrupted his annual leave to travel from Egypt to Ghana to finalize the agreement, citing the need to advance Air Navigation Services at Freetown International Airport.
Massaquoi said the initiative is linked to the government’s human capital development priorities under President Julius Maada Bio. He noted that SLAA is investing over $150,000 to support aviation safety and resilience. In remarks at the certification event, he stated that the Authority aims to embed safety and excellence in its operations and ensure Sierra Leone’s skies remain among the safest in the region.
Massaquoi also compared Sierra Leone’s approach to staffing and training with challenges reported in larger aviation jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe, where he referenced issues such as controller fatigue and overtime reliance linked to operational incidents.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonapha, commended SLAA for aligning its training efforts with ICAO standards and said the certifications demonstrate Sierra Leone’s determination to position itself as a credible hub for safe air transport.
Deputy General Manager Bobson A. Kargbo, in closing remarks, noted that three additional ATCOs are currently undergoing Aerodrome and Approach Control training at GATA. He said SLAA will continue to prioritize training, modernization, and international collaboration as part of its aviation development agenda.
