Members of Parliament have issued a bipartisan call for a comprehensive review of the nation’s aviation safety protocols following a tragic microlight aircraft accident in Tema that claimed the lives of two brothers.
The crash, which occurred on Monday at Tema Community One, Site 18, near a primary school, involved a private aircraft and has sparked a national debate over the regulation of civilian airspace and the oversight of non-commercial flights.
During a solemn session on Thursday, March 19, the House observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased, identified as 36-year-old Captain Frank Donkoh and 25-year-old Elijah Ofori Donkoh.
The tragedy has prompted lawmakers to demand immediate state action, including more rigorous routine maintenance checks for private aircraft owners and the adequate resourcing of regulatory bodies to ensure stricter enforcement of safety standards.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, described the incident as a stark “wake-up call” for the government. He argued that the ability of a private aircraft to traverse civilian airspace and crash within a densely populated area points to significant systemic failures in risk management.
Asserting that the country cannot continue to “normalize preventable disasters,” he called for a transparent, independent, and time-bound investigation, insisting that the findings, including details on certification and operational lapses, must be made public to ensure full accountability.
Contributing to the discussion, the Majority Chief Whip and MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse Dafeamakpor, directed his appeal toward both the Ghana Air Force and private entities. He emphasized that maintenance must be taken more seriously to prevent technical failures that lead to loss of life.
Similarly, the MP for Tema East, Isaac Ashai Odamtten, noted that while the response from the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and security services was commendable, the incident exposed a broader lack of emergency preparedness. He urged the government to properly resource the institutions mandated to lead during such crises.
The House concluded by affirming its commitment to monitoring the investigation closely. Lawmakers maintained that the Minority and Majority are united in supporting every measure aimed at protecting Ghanaian lives and strengthening the country’s aviation safety framework to ensure such tragedies do not recur.
Story by: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
