On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the Ghana Boundary Commission and its Côte d'Ivoire counterpart finalized and validated two key framework agreements at a ceremony in Accra.
This historic step follows eight years of negotiations and cooperation between the neighboring nations, building on a 2017 ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) that resolved a longstanding maritime dispute in favour of Ghana.The two framework agreements address both the maritime and northern land boundaries between Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, aiming to eliminate further border disputes and strengthen cooperation.
The recent validation of these agreements is a testament to the diplomatic efforts made by both nations to preserve peaceful relations and ensure territorial clarity.The maritime boundary dispute originated from overlapping claims in the oil-rich waters between the two West African nations, which threatened both territorial integrity and economic interests.
ITLOS, an international tribunal responsible for adjudicating maritime disputes, delivered a landmark ruling in September 2017 that delineated the boundary, favouring Ghana's claims.