Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Boundary Commissions of Ghana (GhBC) and la Côte d’Ivoire have held a two-day Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meeting to facilitate cooperation, reaffirm the joint Ghana/Côte d’Ivoire Land Boundary and the implementation of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) ruling on the maritime boundary between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
The JTC meeting which commenced on Wednesday 30 November 2022, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, sought to 1). Finalize and validate the working framework for the functioning of the JTC for the Reaffirmation of the Côte d’Ivoire/Ghana Boundary.
The 2-day meeting also worked at 2) Updates on the progress made in the implementation of the ITLOS ruling on the maritime boundary between the two countries; 3) Developing the planning of the next steps for the implementation of the ITLOS ruling.
It also sought to 4) Validate and adopt the draft cross-border cooperation framework agreement; 5) Update on the status of the ratification process of the Niamey Convention and 6) Draw an operational plan for joint activities for the year 2023, and discuss any other issues of relevance to the achievement of the mandate of the JTC.
In an opening ceremony held prior to the commencement of the meeting, had Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources – Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, who was the Special Guest, was hopeful that the deliberations would further strengthen the collaboration and good relations between Ghana and la Côte d’Ivoire.
Mr Owusu-Bio said Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire share many things in common, especially, along the border communities to the extent that apart from the official language barrier between the two countries, there is no striking difference between an Ivorian and a Ghanaian, for which reason, it is essential that as one people, the two parties come together to deliberate on issues fundamental to their own welfare, unity, peace and security.
The Deputy Minister further opined that with the emerging security threats confronting the West Africa Region, there is a clarion call for the two countries to jointly manage their common land and maritime boundaries to intensify the safeguarding of their territorial integrity.
He urged the representatives of the two countries at the meeting to maintain a high level of dedication, which he says is crucial for the management, preservation and attaining the overall goal of proper management of their common boundaries.
The Ivorian Ambassador to Ghana – His Excellency Mr Tiemoko Moriko, was also present at the opening ceremony, and expressed optimism that the activities of the Joint Committee would inure to the benefit of the welfare, peace, and security of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as promote a continuous unity among the peoples of the two countries.
The JTC was inaugurated in Abidjan in August, 2022, and was immediately followed by the first JTC meeting in Abidjan to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
Present at the opening ceremony including Major General Emmanuel Kotia – the National Coordinator of the Ghana Boundary Commission, and Mr Diakalidia Konate – Executive Secretary for the National Boundary Commission of la Côte d’Ivoire, who co-chair the Joint Committee.
