Sierra Leone Aviation Institutions Strengthen Safety Reporting Coordination

The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority has held a two-day Safety Management and Occurrence Reporting Workshop aimed at strengthening aviation safety and coordination among institutions operating in Sierra Leone’s aviation sector.

The engagement brought together representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority, the Sierra Leone Airports Authority, Sierra Leone Handling Partners, Freetown International Airport and the Roberts Flight Information Region.

Focus on identifying and managing risks

Discussions addressed hazard identification, operational risk assessment, incident prevention, safety-data collection and the documentation and analysis of occurrences in aviation operations.

Participants also considered how stronger information-sharing could help institutions identify potential dangers earlier and introduce corrective measures before they develop into serious incidents or accidents.

Occurrence reporting was presented as an important part of aviation safety management. It allows regulators and service providers to gather information about incidents, operational irregularities and conditions that could pose safety risks.

Supporting a stronger safety culture

The workshop promoted a just culture that encourages personnel to report genuine safety concerns while preserving accountability for deliberate misconduct and serious violations.

Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, said the engagement forms part of the authority’s commitment to proactive safety management, effective risk control and timely occurrence reporting.

Barrie said the workshop gave participating institutions an opportunity to improve their understanding of aviation hazards, assess operational risks and strengthen procedures for reporting and addressing safety concerns.

He also stressed the importance of cooperation among the institutions, linking collaboration to the development of a stronger safety culture and safer skies in Sierra Leone.

Link to national safety oversight

The engagement supports Sierra Leone’s State Safety Programme, which provides a framework for regulating and managing aviation safety in line with standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Under the programme, the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority provides regulatory oversight, while aviation service providers are expected to establish and maintain effective Safety Management Systems. Such systems set out safety responsibilities, risk-control measures and processes for monitoring safety performance.

The participation of institutions connected to airports, ground handling and flight information services reflected the need for coordination across interconnected aviation operations. The authority’s engagement also demonstrated its stated commitment to safer airport operations and more secure skies across Sierra Leone.