Drone operations are becoming increasingly significant in Ghana
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has signed a landmark Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KOTSA) to develop a comprehensive roadmap for Ghana’s emerging drone sector.
The agreement, signed on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the GCAA headquarters in Kotoka International Airport, marks a significant step towards modernising and regulating drone operations in the country.
The South Korean delegation, which included Principal Researchers Cho Joo-Yong and Jung Gi-hun, and Professor Lee Byung-seok, Director of the Drone Security Strategy Institute at Soonchunhyang University, was in Ghana to finalise discussions on a broader cooperation framework and conduct a preliminary survey of the country’s drone ecosystem.
The initiative, part of South Korea’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme, will be spearheaded by KOTSA, a quasi-government agency under South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.
The project aligns with sustainable development goals and seeks to address key national priorities in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and human resource development.
The Drone Sector Roadmap and Candidate Projects Formulation is expected to kick off in 2025 and will run for eight months. It is designed to lay the foundation for a structured and sustainable drone ecosystem in Ghana.
The cooperation plan also outlines three future projects to further Ghana’s drone ambitions:
• Regulatory Framework and Drone Safety Management Project (2028–2033)
• Drone Pilot Training Programme (2030–2034)
• Drone Industry Ecosystem Development Project (2032–2036)
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Reverend Stephen Wilfred Arthur, Acting Director-General of the GCAA, described the collaboration as timely, stressing the growing importance of drones in Ghana’s transportation and service delivery landscape.
“Drone operations are becoming increasingly significant in Ghana. It is crucial that we not only manage air traffic effectively but also ensure we address the security implications of these technologies,” he said.
Reverend Arthur noted that the GCAA has already implemented directives regulating the importation, usage, and operation of drones in Ghana.
He further highlighted that work is ongoing to integrate drone activities into the national air traffic management system using advanced software solutions.
KOTSA, which plays a critical role in transport safety across South Korea, brings deep expertise in drone safety and sector development.
Through this partnership, KOTSA aims to launch three key Ghana-Korea drone initiatives:
• Drone Sector Advancement Project – Focused on regulatory enhancement and drone safety management.
• Advanced Drone Application Pilot Training Programme.
• Drone Ecosystem Integration and Innovation Project.
The Korean delegation stressed that establishing a robust roadmap is essential to provide targeted support that aligns with Ghana’s broader development goals.
The collaboration is widely expected to transform Ghana’s drone industry into a well-regulated, innovative, and economically vibrant sector, positioning the country as a potential drone technology hub in the West African region.
