Ghanaian pilot Captain Quainoo adjudged BALAFO West Africa Aviation Man of the Year

The Ghanaian-born pilot who flew one of the world's biggest aeroplanes, Airbus A380 to Ghana for the first time, Captain Solomon Quainoo has won the BALAFON Aviation Man of the Year.

The Emirates captain on Friday, June 29, 2019, won big in the West Africa award at an event dubbed "Accra Weizo" which is organized by ATQ News at the La Palm Beach Resort.

The awards was instituted by the publishers of ATQ News in 2009, is said to recognize companies and individuals who have excelled and contributed immensely to the growth of Aviation, Travel, Tourism and Hotel business in West Africa.

Being the first Ghanaian ever to fly such mammoth aircraft and landing it in the country of his birth for the first time, served as motivation and a symbol of determination for many people especially the youth. This as well goes a long way to deepen the growth in the country's aviation industry.

This feat of landing the biggest commercial passenger aircraft ever brought high euphoria into the Country, and trended for several weeks across varied media networks and platforms.

Receiving the award on his behalf, Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah said that Captain Quainoo feels humbled and grateful for the award, he is equally grateful to Emirates Airlines for giving him a springboard to something greater and make a meaningful impact.

To him, he sees this recognition as a morale booster to his dedication to unearth and mentor young Ghanaians who have the interest to pursue careers in the aviation industry. And that any young one who would be interested in his mentorship should follow and contact him via his social media handles (Instagram: @captquainoo_380 and Facebook: www.facebook.com/solomon.quainoo.79).

In this regard, the captain is in serious talks with other industry players across the globe to set up an aviation club in senior high schools in Ghana for a start, to mentor and build young ones who would wish to become experts in the aviation industry.

This is one way to demonstrate his commitment to giving back to the country of his birth and Africa as a whole.