Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire agree to construct monument to mark boundary line

Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have announced plans to construct a monument at the international boundary line that terminates in the sea at Newtown in the Jomoro District in the Western Region. The construction of the monument at the international boundary line is part of the implementation of the 2017 ruling by the Special Chamber of ITLOS, which determined the maritime boundary between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire using the equidistance method.

This ruling granted Ghana control over a large area of the Atlantic Ocean with oil and gas reserves. Newtown is the main Ghanaian town that shares both land and maritime boundary with Kanrachie Suazo, which lies on the eastern side of Côte d’Ivoire.

Speaking at the event, the national coordiantor of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia indicated that plans are underway for a joint sensitization program to be organized to reaffirm the land and maritime boundaries between the two countries, and to construct a lighthouse at the area to aid navigation and replace old pillars along the boundary line.

He added that the Commission is working in close ties with the Ghana Navy to conduct a boundary inspection to prevent encroachments within their territory.

The Commission in collaboration with the Ghana Navy is also conducting a maritime boundary inspection along the maritime boundary line to ensure that there are no encroachments within our territory,” General Kotia said.

He urged youth organizations, elected officials, and other pertinent parties to work with the technical teams of the two nations to carry out the exercise.

Additionally, General Kotia expressed gratitude to the German government for its ongoing assistance with the procedures associated with the African Union Border Programme (AUBP).

Also, the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko intimated that the move not only part of efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two neighboring countries but to also demonstrate the significance of regional peace and stability.

“As we embark on this journey, let us keep in mind the broader implications of our work considering that accurate boundaries pave the way for cooperative development, shared resources and strengthened ties between nations,” Mr Okyere-Darko said.