Ghana Opens Defence Against Cote D'lvoire in Oil Exploration Dispute


Ghana has opened her defence against Cote d'Ivoire  at the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea on her maritime boundary  dispute with Cote d'Ivoire on the ownership of portions of the country's second biggest oil field, Tweneboa Eneryra, Ntome popularly known as TEN. 

Ghana’s legal team led by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Marietta Brew  Appiah Oppong argued that  if the court upholds Cote d'Ivoire's claim it would cause incalculable and irreparable damage to Ghana. In her argument, the attorney general disagreed with  the new formula used by CoteD'Ivoire to delimit the maritime boundary. 

she argued that the newly claimed maritime, used by Coted' Ivoire was based on a bisector approach and was a clear abandonment of along- agreed boundary line that was based on equidistance. 

She also accused Cote d'Ivoire of making unfounded allegations against Ghana and Tullow Oil company.  

Ghana initiated arbitration under Annex vii of the UNCLOS in September last year,seeking an affirmation of its rights in the disputed maritime boundary.

The Tribunal has granted requests for provisional measures in cases where it is satisfied that it would have prima facie jurisdiction over the disputes and when it believes that granting such request is urgently needed to preserve the rights of the parties or protect the marine environment.

The most challenging question for the tribunal, however is to resolve whether denying Cote d'Ivorie 's request or granting it will preserve the rights of both parties.

GBC