The Ghana Boundary Commission and its counterpart from the Ivory Coast, validated two framework agreements in Accra on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

This follows a series of stakeholder meetings held between the two countries over the past eight years, after the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) ruled in favor of Ghana in the maritime dispute between the two nations.

There had been a longstanding maritime dispute between Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire until ITLOS delivered a verdict in September 2017, which favoured Ghana. As a result, the two parties are now expected to validate the framework agreements moving forward to prevent further disputes over the disputed maritime boundary.

Another dispute between the two countries concerns the land boundary in the northern part of Ghana. After thorough deliberations, the two authorities reaffirmed the land boundary lines between the two states, ensuring that each country understands its boundaries to avoid trespassing.

Speaking after a two-day conference held to finalize and sign the framework agreements, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General E.W. Kotia, explained that the reaffirmation and demarcation of the countries' boundaries goes beyond traditional approaches in the 21st century. He said, "That is why one of the focus areas of the Ghana Boundary Commission, in collaboration with other boundary commissions in Africa, is to concentrate on cross-border cooperation."

He added, "This move is very critical for Ghana. Validating the framework agreement on cross-border cooperation is very relevant for us."

Major General Kotia also noted that starting next year, the commission would identify underserved communities along the country’s borders and provide social interventions, including the provision of schools, healthcare facilities, water, and sanitation.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Côte d'Ivoire Boundary Commission, Konaté Diakalidia, praised the two entities for their collaborative efforts and assured his Ghanaian counterpart of peaceful relations. He stated that the validation of the various legal frameworks would go a long way in enhancing both countries' efforts toward development and border trade.

He also commended the Ghana Boundary Commission for prioritizing this initiative and urged the foreign ministries of both Ghana and Ivory Coast to review and sign the documents for implementation.

The reaffirmation and demarcation of boundaries in the two countries has been supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit {GIZ} over the past years. Dr. Bakary Sanou, the regional coordinator for GIZ, who also spoke at the event, expressed GIZ's encouragement in supporting the joint commission to manage the shared boundary.

"We are very well convinced that the outcome of your deliberations will contribute to preventive diplomacy and help restore peace and brotherhood," Dr. Sanou said.

He assured both parties that GIZ would continue to provide support to ensure the successful implementation of the reaffirmation and validation agreements. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace between Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire moving forward.