The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is calling on government to take “proactive steps to safeguard” Ghana’s maritime boundary with Togo to forestall future dispute.

On Saturday, September 23, 2017 Ghana emerged victorious in a maritime dispute against Cote d’Ivoire in a landmark ruling of the Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Germany.

The president Boualem Bouguetaia ruled that Ghana has never violated the rights of Cote d’Ivoire by drilling oil around the maritime area shared by both countries.

In a statement to commend Ghana’s legal team, the NPP said: “We call on government to take proactive steps to safeguard Ghana’s maritime boundary with neighbouring Togo in order to forestall any boundary dispute between the two countries in the future.”

Below is the full statement:

Press Release

NPP COMMENDS GHANA’S LEGAL TEAM FOR SECURING A FAVOURABLE JUDGEMENT FROM THE ITLOS ON THE MARITIME BOUNDARY DISPUTE

The NPP has received with great joy and excitement, the landmark ruling of the Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on the maritime boundary dispute between the Republic of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. The ruling, which was delivered this Saturday, 23rd September, 2017 by the justices of the Special Chamber, largely vindicates Ghana’s long held position on the matter in contention.

The party, accordingly, wishes to commend the legal team of the government and people of Ghana which was led by Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Madam Gloria Akufo for securing this favourable judgment for the country which brings finality on the four-year maritime boundary dispute between the two countries.

We also applaud the efforts of the immediate past Attorney General of Ghana, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, who was part of Ghana’s team that won this historic case for the country. The party expresses gratitude to the Ivorian team for their cooperation throughout the trial and also thanks the Special Chamber for the courteous and expeditious manner with which it dispensed justice on the matter in issue.

We have also noted with delight, the fact that the implication of this landmark ruling, according to lawyers and petroleum experts, would not affect Ghana’s oilfield; which means that the nation’s oil reserve remains intact. What it also means is that, Ghana can now proceed with exploration activities in the hitherto, “disputed area”.

Indeed, the battle was the Lord’s.

Finally, we call on government to take proactive steps to safeguard Ghana’s maritime boundary with neighbouring Togo in order to forestall any boundary dispute between the two countries in the future.

Once again, congratulations to the good people of Ghana.

Thank you.

JOHN BOADU General Secretary (Ag)