Maritime Dispute Between Ghana And Cote d'Ivoire Should Not Be Misconstrued As Tension - AG

The Attorney General, Marietta Appiah Brew Oppong, has downplayed reports of rising tension between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire after Ghana filed a lawsuit against Cote d’Ivoire. 

Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire have had issues with territorial waters in the exploration of oil. 

This comes after failed negotiations between the two countries in the past few years and also as a result of continued receipt of threatening letters from Cote d’Ivoire to oil companies operating in the disputed area. 

Speaking at the “Meet-The-Press” series, the Attorney General gave the assurance that any award from the international tribunal arbitrating the maritime boundary dispute between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire will certainly favour Ghana. 

Meanwhile, an Expert in Peace and Security and a Research Fellow at the Legon Center for International Affairs and Diplomacy, Dr Ken Ahorsu, says Ghana must be ready to engage in talks with neighbouring Togo and Nigeria who may also lay claim to its territorial waters following the suit against Cote d’Ivoire. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana on the implications in diplomatic circles, if the maritime dispute between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire is not handled well, Dr Ahorsu said Ghana will have to come to a sub-regional agreement with her neighbours. 

Linking it to history, Dr Ahorsu explained that irrespective of how much a country extends its boundaries in anticipation of an oil exploration, there would be the need for dialogue with its territorial neighbours at some point. 

GBC