The Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has stressed that Ghana’s regulatory approach to drones and unmanned traffic management (UTM) must strike a balance between innovation and safety.
Her comments follow calls by stakeholders in the aviation sector for the unification of various altitude levels in the airspace.
Speaking at Ghana’s first-ever UTM & Digital Airspace Summit on October 1, 2025, at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra, she emphasized that regulation should not serve as a barrier to progress but rather as a framework that enables responsible growth.
“Regulations should not stifle innovation but guide it safely. Our responsibility is to harmonize with international standards while tailoring policies to Ghana’s realities,” she said.
The Deputy Minister further noted that Ghana’s vision for drones goes beyond modernizing the country’s airspace. According to her, drone innovation must serve as a national enabler—supporting agriculture, logistics, healthcare, and local governance—while creating jobs and new industries.
“Drone integration is not only about airspace modernization. It is about preparing Ghana for a future where our skies become active infrastructure, fueling economic growth, inclusiveness, and positioning Ghana as a continental leader in the low-altitude economy,” she added.
The summit, the first of its kind in Ghana, was organized by FlyElevate365 and brought together key stakeholders in the aviation space, including the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, the National Communications Authority, and various drone service operators.
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Story by Kwadwo Owusu Anane | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
