Blog: Safe Skies Over Ghana

Statement

By Anthony Foxx

Six years ago, during his first trip to Africa as commander-in-chief, President Obama spoke to Ghana's parliament in the city of Accra, and he declared that, "The 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra as well."

Today, I landed in Ghana, kicking off my first trip to Africa while in office, and I can see that the President was right. Ghana is doing big things. Their economy is growing fast. Their capital is populated by young, educated leaders. They're even spending a higher percentage of their GDP on infrastructure than we do in the U.S.

In many ways, Accra is not just leading the way in Ghana; it's leading the way in the entire continent.

Ghana airliner

And, in particular, Ghana is leading the way in aviation.

Earlier, I met with Ghana's Minister of Transport, Dzifa Aku Attivor, and we signed a Declaration of Intent to expand DOT's work with the Ghana Aviation Training Academy.

In Ghana

For nearly 15 years, the United States has been proud partners with Ghana in addressing civil aviation safety. But for most of that time, we've had to import our knowledge. U.S. instructors traveled overseas to offer courses to African safety professionals.

Now, this will change. Because of this Declaration of Intent, the academy will be developing their own civil aviation courses. And Ghanaians will be teaching other Ghanaians, as well as aviation professionals from around Africa.

This Declaration of Intent will keep Ghana on its leadership trajectory and help Africa's nations work together to develop a world-class aviation system.

This might be just a first step. But it's a significant one. And we look forward to many more.

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