The Ghana Boundary Commission is hinting at a possible reconstruction of some boundary pillars which played a crucial role in the 2017 International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) ruling but are currently buried in the sea sand of the Western Region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Joint Technical meeting in Grand Bassam, Cote D’ Ivoire, National Coordinator of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia called for the re-affirmation of maritime boundaries between Ghana and Cote D’ Ivoire.

“Let us work and coordinate the re-affirmation of the land boundary terminus that is, pillar 54, 55 on the Ghana side at Newtown. One thing we have realized is that some of the pillars have been submerged in the sand.”

“Let us remember that the land boundary terminus in that area was used in the ITLOS ruling and that is what guides us so far as our maritime boundary is concerned.”

 “We are hoping that this meeting will be able to set up a date as part of the plan of action to be able to go for an inspection of those pillars and decide on the possible reconstruction of the pillars,” he said.

The National Coordinator further stated the construction of a lighthouse in the area will also help align the common land boundary terminus which serves as a guide for the maritime boundary between Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire.

He urged the Boundary Commissions of the two countries to speed up work with the reaffirmation exercise in Dollar Power, Savannah Region.

“Related to that, we should also be thinking of building a lighthouse that will align with the land boundary terminus, if we can seek funding. The lighthouse will serve as a direction for ships and other activities so far as the maritime domain is concerned” 

The Executive Secretary of the Boundary Commision of Cote D’ Ivoire, Diakalidia Konate says he is excited about the progress of work by the countries and is hopeful the meeting will produce positive results that will further deepen the cooperation between the two Boundary Commissions.

In 2017, ITLOS in Hamburg, Germany ruled in favour of Ghana in the maritime dispute with Côte d’Ivoire.

The Chamber in a unanimous decision ruled that there has not been any violation on the part of Ghana on Côte d’Ivoire’s maritime boundary.

 It also noted that Ghana has not violated Côte d’Ivoire’s sovereign rights with its oil exploration in the disputed basin