TSA INSPECTS GHANA AIRWAYS AFTER 6 CANCELLED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 000317

SIPDIS

STATE FOR JAMES PADGETT
DAKAR FOR ED JONES

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2009
TAGS: EAIR GH
SUBJECT: TSA INSPECTS GHANA AIRWAYS AFTER 6 CANCELLED
FLIGHTS

REF: ACCRA 139

Classified By: EconChief Chris Landberg for Reason 1.5 (d)


1. (SBU) Summary: Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) officials came to inspect flight security operations
procedures at Ghana Airways (GA) because of the recent
incident regarding a banned co-pilot. After enduring six
flight cancellations, TSA Officials were able to finally
inspect a Ghana Airways flight on Tuesday February 10. While
concerned with some procedural and communications
inconsistencies, TSA was comfortable enough with GA
procedures to leave. The only concern by TSA now is the
sustainability of the procedures. Post believes Ghana Airways
permission to operate to and from the U.S. is worthy of
further scrutiny. End summary.


Background
--------------


2. (U) Three Transportation Security Administration officials
visited Accra from February 3-10 expecting to evaluate at
least three Ghana Airways flights to the U.S. In light of the
recent banning of a Ghana Airways co-pilot who had flown to
the U.S. after his name appeared on a No Fly list, TSA
officials came to Ghana to address what it saw as gaps in the
level of security scrutiny to which Ghana Airways subjected
its passengers. (Reftel)


Initial Meeting with Ghana Air CEO Owusu, Not Good
-------------- --------------


3. (SBU) Econoff accompanied TSA officials to an initial
meeting with Ghana Airways (GA) CEO Phillip Owusu on February

4. Cordial and straightforward, TSA officials explained their
expectations of the evaluation--to witness GA preparation for
and departure to U.S. airspace, including check in, ground
security, aircraft search, ground safety and secondary search
procedures. TSA officials explained that every airline
operating to and from the U.S. is required to implement all
Emergency Amendments (EAs) sent out by the TSA. Ghana Airways
was under scrutiny due to its inconsistent communications
with TSA regarding EAs and the banning of a Ghana Airways
co-pilot from flying to U.S. airspace (a reflection of Ghana
Airways disregard of operating procedures). TSA reps asked
for assurances that the Acting Head of Security Dennis
Bassaku could be reached on a 24-hour basis, necessitating a
mobile phone and consistent computer access at his office.
Owusu assured TSA that these things would be provided, but
that is where his cordiality ended.


4. (C) Owusu used the occasion to express his frustration at
the way the banned co-pilot, who was arrested and taken to a
holding facility in Maryland, was treated in the U.S. He
further accused the U.S. Embassy and the TSA of being remiss
in not notifying him personally that the co-pilot was banned
from U.S. airspace. Larbi tried to explain that the pilot
flew to the U.S. after appearing on the No Fly List that
Ghana Airways itself must vet and cross check before its
flights leave for the U.S. Larbi explained further that the
pilot's prolonged detention was a surprise to him, but TSA
has no control over what happens to a person who appears on
the No Fly List and subsequently flies to the U.S. Owusu
continued to insist that U.S. authorities were remiss in
their duties, not Ghana Airways and that he would continue to
pursue diplomatic action.


A Tragedy of Errors
--------------


5. (U) The inspection team, expecting to begin work the night
of their February 3 arrival, was thwarted by a technical
difficulty that left the Ghana Airways flight grounded in
Baltimore. The next opportunity to inspect a flight was to be
the night of February 4, but again, technical difficulties
prevented the flight from arriving to Accra and the outbound
flight to the U.S. was cancelled. Four more last-minute
flight cancellations left TSA wondering whether Ghana Airways
was trying to prevent inspection. During their inspection of
preparations for one of the cancelled flights, TSA was
encouraged that GA security authorities had the correct No
Fly and Selectee lists. However, they were discouraged by the
improper procedures for vetting the list and the absence of
six EAs for which GA Security Chief Bassaku had previously
acknowledged receipt and implementation. Non-compliant
airlines can be penalized USD 11,000 per passenger per flight
for not following all security regulations. The inspectors
noted that given what they had seen, they would have sent
their concerns to their superiors in Brussels and Washington.
Throughout the drama, airline authorities did not notify TSA
of planned and unplanned flight schedules, instead TSA had to
call GA operations workers to get this information.


Final Meeting with Ghana Airways CEO and Inspection
-------------- --------------


6. (C) Frustrated by what they saw, TSA met with the DCM and
Econoff on February 10 to explain their message to GA CEO
Owusu and to consider the consequences of GA's non-compliance
and the cancellation of every flight they were to inspect.
Econoff accompanied TSA to meet Owusu for a second time. The
inspectors told Owusu that they must inspect a flight
operation to the U.S., GA must improve its system of vetting
the No Fly and Selectee lists and Security Chief Bassaku must
have 24-hour contact capability (including a cell phone and
internet capability). In a far less combative mood than our
previous visit, Owusu assured TSA officials that they would
see a complete flight operation (wheels up) that day. He also
admitted that Ghana Airways financial difficulties had
crippled operations. The officials were able to observe a
full operation to the U.S. February 10. There were only some
minor procedural issues that concerned them. Airline security
employees seemed to grasp what they needed to do to ensure
compliance. TSA's only concern was what would happen after
they left. They wanted some assurance of sustainability in a
compliance program for GA and are going to communicate more
frequently with Security Chief Bassaku.


Comment
--------------


7. (SBU) After a number of tries, GA security officials sort
of got it right. However, TSA concerns about sustainability
of compliance procedures are well taken. GA's cash-strapped
status undermines GA's ability to operate flights to and from
the United States. Owusu has again made a plea to Italian
officials (this time religious officials) to intervene on
Ghana Airway,s behalf to "reschedule" the 25 million dollar
debt owed to Alitalia that prevents Ghana Airways planes from
being serviced. After 40 plus years in the International Air
Transport Association (IATA),Ghana Airways was kicked out in

2002. The GoG, while forcing GA to continue to operate, has
done little to financially support its operations. TSA
officials explained that security (handled by them in DHS)
and safety (handled by FAA) have been operationally
separated. At some point, the FAA should make a decision on
when an airline's financial status prevents it from complying
with safety regulations for flights into the U.S. If past
performance on security and operations activities are any
indication, Ghana Airways is an airline deserving of further
scrutiny. End Comment.
Yates