Gambiaj.com – (LAGOS, Nigeria) – The Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) is poised to become the world’s leading regional accident and incident investigation organization, according to its commissioner, Engr. Charles Erhueh. The agency, which investigates serious aircraft accidents in accordance with international standards, is based in Praia, Cape Verde, and serves member states including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea, Gambia, and Cape Verde.

At a recent event, Erhueh highlighted BAGAIA’s outstanding accomplishments and the commendations it has received from aviation industry leaders over the last decade. These accolades reflect the agency’s significant contributions to improving regional aviation safety.

In recognition of their invaluable contributions to aviation safety in Africa, BAGAIA presented awards to several key figures during its 15th-anniversary celebration. The awardees were honored for their dedication and commitment to advancing aviation safety standards across the continent.

Among the distinguished recipients were Engr. Akin Olateru, the immediate former Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB); Mr. Caj Frostell, Pioneer Commissioner of BAGAIA (2012–2018); and Mr. Prosper Zo’o Minto’o, Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organisation—Western and Central Africa (ICAO-WACAF).

Other honorees included Mrs. Catherine Nying, former Deputy Director General of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority; Mr. Fansu Bojang, Head of the Banjul Accord Group Secretariat and Director-General of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority; and Dr. Carlos Santos, Cabo Verde’s Minister of Tourism and Transport, who received a country award.

Sulayman Jammeh, Corporate Manager for International Relations at the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, praised BAGAIA for recognizing the contributions of key figures in the aviation sector. Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr., the current Director-General of NSIB, accepted the award on behalf of his predecessor, Olateru, emphasizing the importance of the recognition and promising continued collaboration and support for BAGAIA’s initiatives.

BAGAIA’s 15th-anniversary celebration underscored its past achievements and reaffirmed its long-term goal of becoming the world’s most efficient regional accident and incident investigation organization.