Energy Policy Analyst, John Peter Amewu has downplayed fears that Ghana’s suit against Ivory Coast over the maritime boundary dispute could spark a diplomatic row.

Ghana wants the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea to declare that it has not encroached on the Ivorian territorial waters in the exploration of oil.

The two countries have failed over the past years to iron out their differences over their oil production boundaries.

Ghana filed its suit based on Article 287 Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Speaking to Starr News, Amewu said the government has taken the right decision.

“What can be done going forward is to look at the possibility of constituting what we call a joint development zone, and this zone would have to develop both countries if they agree in future about the limitation zone as to what proportion extends to one area," Mr. Amewu said.

He added that “even though it has gone so far it still calls for a lot of understanding for them to agree on certain limitations so as to establish the joint development zone."