Welcome to the first of many NHV Employee Spotlight Features, with the goal of shining a spotlight on the pivotal role our employees play at NHV, including; their journeys so far, and how NHV aims to create an innovative, inclusive and dynamic workforce.
Hello to Joshua, the Quality and Safety Manager for our Business Unit in Ghana
Before we start, can you tell us some Fun Facts about you?
I am a big football fan and enjoy watching football in my leisure hours, I am especially a huge Manchester United Fan. I played amateur college football but couldn’t pursue professional football due to a lack of support.
Surprisingly, though I am a very calm, quiet, and never a violent person, I also enjoy watching professional wrestling as entertainment.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and who you are?
I am Ghanian, residing in the capital, Accra where I was also born and grew up. My parents are from Dormaa Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana which is in the middle part of the country. I am from the Dormaa Kingdom of the Bono Tribe of Ghana. I am also married with two (2) kids; a boy and a girl.
I attended the University of Cape Coast, in the Central Region of Ghana where I pursued a course in Accounting and Education. Previously, I worked with Ghana International Airlines between 2006 and 2010 before the Airline was liquidated. Then I joined NHV Ghana in October 2010 as Quality/ Safety Manager, but I am also the CAMO Coordinator for NHV Côte D’Ivoire - This is a postholder role on the Ivorian AOC where I monitor the airworthiness activities for the Ivorian helicopters, which has been subcontracted to CAMO in Oostende.
I am a Part-Time P145 and OPS Auditor for QHSE in Ostend, where I perform periodic P145 and OPS internal audits in any base assigned to me, although mostly in Africa and sometimes in Europe.
I also work with HQ QHSE to complete the questionnaires as part of the tender process. I work with the Local Ghanian team to complete the Local Content Questionnaire and with the tender team to participate in all tender meetings with the client.
What led you to pursue a career in Aviation?
I originally pursued a university degree in Accounting and Education as I wanted to be an Accountant. After completing university and national service in Ghana in 2004, I couldn’t secure a job till 2006 when I was introduced into the aviation sector by an American who was working at Ghana International Airlines, which at the time was the country’s national Airline.
I was initially supposed to work with the maintenance department where I was part the finance operations. Later, I was re-assigned to assist the director of operations who was then in charge of the AOC process that the Airline was undertaking. I finally found myself engrossed and excited with Airline Certification and Manual compilation. My aviation career in Quality and Safety was triggered from these activities.
What do you find exciting about the industry and what is something specific about your role at NHV that you love doing?
As a Quality and Safety Person, I will be a bit biased here. The Aviation industry thrives on safety as all activities are based on processes and procedures that ensure safe operations. I find this safety focus very exciting.
The specific thing in my role at NHV that I love doing, is that I enjoy working with the various departments to ensure company procedures and regulatory requirements are complied with through internal audits and reviews.
Can you tell us a bit about a favourite project or experience that you’ve had at NHV?
I have had some nice experiences at NHV in terms of work and the training undertaken. I have also assisted with the quality work at a lot of NHV Bases, but my favourite project was taking NHV Ghana through the AOC process with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority between 2011 and 2012. It was a lot of work and great lessons were learnt during the process.
How do you define success?
I would define success as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way and getting the right result that brings satisfaction and fulfilment.
What are some of the things that you like to do, outside of work?
Outside work, I engage myself in a lot of Christian and church activities. When I get the opportunity, I play amateur football and watch football on TV.
What are some words of advice you would give to others who are considering pursuing a career in Aviation?
Pursuing a career in aviation requires hard work, teamwork, determination, and enthusiasm as there are processes, procedures and regulatory standards or requirements to be complied with in almost everything we do in aviation. A career in aviation is also very rewarding.
Thank you Joshua!