By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S.
The Sierra Leone Airports Authority has certified 60 Freetown International Airport staff, including 10 air traffic controllers, in a $150,000 training drive aimed at raising safety standards and operational efficiency.
The newly certified air traffic controllers completed refresher courses in Aerodrome and Approach Control. Another 50 personnel finished basic training in Quality Management Systems, a program designed to improve compliance, efficiency, and service delivery across the airport.
The certifications follow a Memorandum of Understanding between the SLAA and the Ghana Aviation Training Academy. SLAA General Manager Jack D.K. Massaquoi championed the partnership and, according to officials, cut short his annual leave in Egypt to travel to Ghana and finalize the agreement, securing timely access to specialized instruction for Sierra Leonean professionals.
Speaking at a June 22 ceremony, Massaquoi said the initiative forms part of a broader investment exceeding $150,000 to strengthen aviation safety and resilience.
“Under President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership, this marks a new beginning for Sierra Leone aviation,” Massaquoi said. “We are embedding resilience, safety, and excellence into our system, ensuring our skies remain among the safest in the region.”
He added that the program aligns with the government’s human capital development agenda, which prioritizes skills and capacity building as drivers of national progress.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Rex Bhonapha praised the SLAA for advancing the government’s reform agenda and reinforcing compliance with global standards. The certifications, he said, show Sierra Leone’s commitment to International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements and its ambition to become a credible hub for safe, efficient air transport.
Deputy General Manager Bobson A. Kargbo commended the trainees and noted that three additional air traffic control officers are currently in training at GATA. He reaffirmed the Authority’s focus on continued training, modernization, and international partnerships.
Officials say the certification program will bolster operational capacity at Freetown International Airport and support national efforts to build a modern, competitive aviation sector.
Photo Caption: Officials and stakeholders gather at the certification ceremony for 60 Freetown International Airport personnel following SLAA’s $150,000 training investment.
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