Ghana has formally served notice to the Government of Togo of its decision to submit the long-standing maritime boundary dispute between the two countries to international arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
A press statement signed by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister of Government Communications, explained that the decision followed eight years of negotiations between the two countries, which had failed to produce an agreed outcome.
It said Ghana opted for international arbitration to prevent further escalation of incidents that had created tensions between some institutions of both countries and to promote an amicable resolution in the interest of continued good relations.
“Ghana has taken this step in order to avoid an escalation of incidents that have created tensions between some of our institutions and to promote an amicable resolution, thereby contributing to the continued good relations between our two countries,” the release said.
The maritime boundary between Ghana and Togo has been a subject of diplomatic engagement, particularly, following offshore oil and gas discoveries in Ghana’s western and eastern coastal basins.
Ghana has maintained that its maritime boundary with Togo is based on the principle of equidistance, consistent with international maritime law and established practice, while Togo has sought adjustments to the boundary, citing historical and geographical considerations.
Efforts at bilateral negotiations, facilitated through joint technical committees and diplomatic engagements, have not yielded a mutually acceptable settlement.
Under UNCLOS, states are encouraged to resolve maritime boundary disputes peacefully through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or adjudication by international judicial bodies such as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or ad hoc arbitral tribunals.
Legal experts note that arbitration provides a neutral and structured mechanism for resolving complex maritime disputes, particularly, those involving economic zones, continental shelves, and offshore resources.
The move by Ghana is expected to reaffirm its commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, respect for international law, and regional stability, particularly within the West African sub-region.
Ghana and Togo share longstanding historical, cultural, and economic ties and are both members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which promotes regional cooperation, integration, and peaceful coexistence.
GNA
