The Special Task Unit of Air Force Base Tamale, in collaboration with the Ghana Airport Company Limited (Tamale), conducted an Emergency Evacuation Exercise, codenamed “Exercise Tahabu”, at the Yakubu Tali International Airport.

The one-day exercise, held annually by the Air Force Base, aimed to test the operational readiness of personnel in handling emergencies. It also served as part of stakeholder preparedness for the general elections.

The exercise aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 14, Chapter 9, which mandates all airports to conduct full-scale emergency evacuation exercises at least once every two years.

This year’s exercise which took place on Tuesday, 26 November 2024 simulated the detection of an explosive device at the airport. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regiment was tasked with neutralizing the device, showcasing swift and precise operational capabilities. The exercise also included emergency evacuation procedures, fire drills, cordon-and-search operations, and other critical response scenarios involving the Special Forces of the 69 Airborne Force, the 6 Infantry Battalion, and other key security agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and the Ghana Ambulance Service.

The collaborative effort demonstrated high levels of coordination and readiness among all participating units and reinforced the airport’s commitment to ensuring passenger and operational safety.