Drones - A big deal

By: Nana Owusu Sekyere

Every developmental agenda presents new dynamics in our socio - economic lives.

Technology seems to be fueling the majority of these developments.

Drones lately are the tonic of media houses to reach out to the skies for the best of images or videos, whiles the entertainment industry finds it a 'gold stamp' for rare/ exclusive views.

But where we are late in providing the necessary support or measures to fashion out how these technologies must be legally acquired and used, we run a security risk at all times.

In the UK below is the expectation from the Civil Aviation Authority when one wants to use a drone:

"Anyone who wants to fly a drone for commercial work (generally referred to as aerial work) needs a Permission from the CAA.

You will need to be at least 18 years of age. To get this Permission, you will need to: demonstrate a sufficient understanding of aviation theory (airmanship, airspace, aviation law and good flying practice)
pass a practical flight assessment (flight test)
develop basic procedures for conducting the type of flights you want to do and set these out in an Operations Manual"

In the case of Ghana, this is non existent in our Civil Aviation Act 2004 or Act 678.

Therefore so far as civil aviation laws and our statutory books have an unspecified definition for drones, and it's acquisition or usage and operations, we will continue to be reactionary rather than proactive all times.

Once a drone enters a security establishment or zone and it undertakes a reconnaissance work without it being halted it is an indictment on our security apparatus.

#thiscannotbegoodforus

#securityalert

Nana Owusu Sekyere

Security Analyst