Nigeria and Ghana have signed a landmark Search and Rescue (SAR) Cooperation Agreement aimed at strengthening aviation safety and emergency response coordination across the West African sub-region.
The agreement was formalised in Accra, Ghana, during an official visit by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo.
The Nigerian team included senior officials from the NCAA and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), among them Director of Air Traffic Services, Tayo John, who represented the agency’s Managing Director, and Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Alhaji Ahmad Abba.
The pact marks a significant milestone in bilateral aviation relations between Nigeria and Ghana, focusing on improving the coordination and delivery of Search and Rescue services—an essential component of aviation safety and emergency management.
Officials said the agreement aligns with global aviation requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), particularly Annex 12 of the Chicago Convention, which mandates member states to maintain effective SAR services and collaborate with neighbouring countries during emergencies.
Under the agreement, both countries are expected to enhance operational coordination between their respective rescue units, strengthen bilateral safety collaboration, and promote regional aviation safety initiatives in line with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
The development is widely seen as a boost to emergency preparedness and response capabilities in the region, reinforcing both nations’ commitment to safer skies and stronger institutional cooperation.
The Nigerian delegation expressed appreciation to the management of the NCAA and NAMA for their support in advancing aviation safety initiatives. It also commended the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), led by Director-General Rev. Stephen W. Arthur, for its hospitality and collaborative role in finalising the agreement.
Authorities from both countries expressed confidence that effective implementation of the pact would significantly improve rescue coordination, operational efficiency, and overall aviation safety within West Africa.