Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have signed a Cooperation Agreement relating to Search and Rescue Operations for Aircraft in Distress between the Republic of Ghana and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo signed on behalf of the Nigerian government whilst the Director General, GCAA, Rev. Stephen Arthur, signed on behalf of the Ghanaian government.
Speaking, Najomo said the MoU strengthened both countries collective aeronautical Search and Rescue (SAR) architecture and deepens operational cooperation between the two sister States.
He noted that search and rescue operations for aircraft in distress cooperation is not merely a regulatory requirement under ICAO Annex 12; but a fundamentally a humanitarian obligation and a moral responsibility shared by all States that participate in international civil aviation.
He highlighted that when aircraft are in distress, time becomes the most critical factor in saving lives, and effective cooperation between neighbouring States becomes indispensable.
Najomo noted that the initiative aligned with the aviation development agenda which prioritises strengthened safety oversight, enhanced operational capability, and deeper regional collaboration across Africa’s aviation sector.
According to Najomo, the agreement also operationalises key provisions of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) by establishing clear procedures for alert notification, coordination between Rescue Coordination Centres, mutual assistance, and collaborative response during search and rescue operations within our respective Search and Rescue Regions.
He added: “This, through this framework, Nigeria and Ghana are strengthening mechanisms for rapid response, seamless cross-border coordination, and effective emergency preparedness, ensuring that aircraft and persons in distress within our region can benefit from timely and coordinated rescue efforts.”
From a regulatory standpoint, he said, the agreement further reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its international aviation safety obligations, while strengthening our national safety management ecosystem.