By Chidi Ugwu
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, have signed a landmark 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, Civil Aviation, Nigeria Capt. Chris Ona Najomo signed on behalf of the Nigerian government whilst the Director General, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Rev Stephen Wilfred Arthur, signed on behalf of the Ghanaian government.
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Speaking during the signing ceremony on the 9th of March, 2026 Capt. Chris Najomo said the MoU strengthens both countries collective aeronautical Search and Rescue (SAR) architecture and deepens operational cooperation between the two sister States.
Search and Rescue Operations for Aircraft in Distress cooperation Nigeria’s DGCA reiterated it 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.
This as he affirmed the initiative aligns with the aviation development agenda of Festus Keyamo, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, which prioritises strengthened safety oversight, enhanced operational capability, and deeper regional collaboration across Africa’s aviation sector.
According to Capt. 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.
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 this Agreement further reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its international aviation safety obligations, while strengthening our national safety management ecosystem.
It also contributes positively to our preparedness under the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA), particularly in areas related to emergency response planning and State safety oversight, he said.
