The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen search and rescue operations for aircraft in distress between the two countries.
The agreement was announced in a statement released on Tuesday after it was formally signed by the Director-General of Civil Aviation in Nigeria, Chris Najomo, and the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Stephen Arthur, representing their respective governments.
Speaking on the development, Najomo said the Memorandum of Understanding would enhance the search and rescue architecture of both countries while improving operational cooperation between the two neighbouring states.
According to him, the agreement goes beyond regulatory obligations and reflects the humanitarian responsibility shared by countries participating in international aviation.
“Search and rescue operations for aircraft in distress are not merely a regulatory requirement under ICAO Annex 12 but a fundamental humanitarian obligation and a moral responsibility shared by all states that participate in international civil aviation,” he said.
Najomo noted that swift emergency response remains critical in aviation incidents, stressing that time is often the most important factor when aircraft are in distress. He added that collaboration between neighbouring countries becomes essential in such situations to save lives.
The NCAA chief explained that the agreement establishes clear procedures for cooperation during emergencies, including alert notifications, coordination between rescue centres, mutual assistance, and joint response efforts within their respective Search and Rescue Regions.
He said the framework would enable faster response times and more effective cross-border coordination during aviation emergencies.
Najomo also stated that the initiative aligns with the aviation development agenda of Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, which prioritises stronger safety oversight and deeper regional collaboration across Africa’s aviation sector.
According to him, the agreement further reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to international aviation safety obligations under the International Civil Aviation Organization standards and recommended practices.
He added that the development would also strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness under the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach, particularly in areas related to emergency response planning and state safety oversight.
