The Ghana Boundary Commission has called for the re-examination of the role of the Cultural and Creative Arts Industry in boundary management. 

According to the commission, investing in the Creative Arts and employing it as tools for conflict prevention and cross-border cooperation is an innovative way of bridging and rebuilding African economies across borders, especially with the creation of the AfCFTA.

The Commission made this call in a press release to commemorate the 11th African Border Day themed ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want’.

“Against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and the diverse boundary issues that many African countries are grappling with, the theme presents the African States with an opportunity to consider the Creative Arts Sector as a mechanism to bridge the artificial borders,” parts of the press release read.

The Commission explained that with borders closed and movement restricted, African societies can begin to explore creative and innovative ways through their shared culture, arts and heritage.

This, it added, will serve as channels for educating stakeholders on boundary management issues, border sensitization, integration, resilience and post-Covid recovery.

“African arts, culture and heritage has proven its resilience, having not only survived through the Covid-19 pandemic, but also contributing to the fight against it.”

“Indeed, they were the instrumental avenues for Covid-19 information dissemination and the perfect companions during the lockdown periods, having adapted to the pandemic and employing the use of modern technology such as digital platforms to create new “borderless” spaces.”

About African Border Day

The African Border Day, a day set aside by the African Union (AU) to sensitize Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and relevant stakeholders on border issues, as well as the importance of continental, regional integration and cross-border cooperation. 

The day, celebrated annually on 7th June, aims at highlighting the role of the AU Border Program (AUBP) and the AU Convention on Cross-border Cooperation (the Niamey Convention) which facilitates and supports the demarcation and delimiting of African boundaries and the development/promotion of cross-border cooperation among States; while also encouraging additional efforts for their implementation.

About Ghana Boundary Commission

 The Ghana Boundary Commission is a Government of Ghana entity responsible for demarcating, delimiting and managing Ghana’s international boundaries; as well as settling boundary disputes between Ghana and her neighboring countries in accordance with accepted principles of international law. 

The Act establishing the Ghana Boundary Commission (Act 795) was passed by Parliament and the gazette notification issued 26th March, 2010.

Since its establishment, the Commission has undertaken a number of activities including physical boundary pillar audits, survey of boundaries among others; with the aim of promoting regional integration, improving  peace and security, and advancing cross border cooperation with its neighbouring countries.