President Nana Akufo Addo has called for an immediate and ‘proper’ demarcation of Ghana’s land and maritime boundaries.
Delivering a speech at the inauguration of the reconstituted Ghana Boundary Commission, the President said the current state of Ghana’s boundary demarcations exposes the country to economic and security dangers.
According to Akufo Addo, the markings of the country’s land boundaries poses a great challenge to the country and provides grounds for conflict between Ghana and its neighbours.
He therefore directed the Commission
chaired by the industrious and resourceful Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor to, as a matter of urgency ensure proper marking of the country’s boundaries.
“A careful analysis of our borders show numerous recorded cases of destruction of the boundary markings of demarcated land and maritime borders. This situation exposes us to security, economic and other developmental implications including setting the tone for potential conflict with neighboring countries”, he said.
“It is therefore of urgent need to find more sustainable and vigorous means of managing our land and maritime boundaries as well as air space”, he added.
President Akufo-Addo laid particular emphasis on “demarcation, documentation and protection of our borders as well as strict adherence to the statutory international laws to safeguard the sovereignty and interest of our country”.
President Nana Akufo-Addo enumerated measures being implemented by his government to secure Ghana’s territorial sovereignty.
“Since it’s establishment in July, the commission has facilitated boundary negotiations in Togo which had been pending since 2017. This has led to rebirth of its Togolese equivalent and led to a roadmap for the amicable resolution to the negotiation before the end off this year”, he said.
“There is also an ongoing efforts to settle the issue with Burkina Faso in the Kassena-Nakana West district and Bawku District both in the Upper East Region.”
The President said the presence of rich mineral resources along the country’s borders makes it imperative that “we conclude these matters once and for all and forestall any potential needless conflict”.
On his part, the Chairman of the Commission, Samuel A. Jinapor said that the relevant and integral role the committee plays in fostering peace and security between the country and its neighbours is not lost out on the members of the commission.
He said the commission will collaborate with relevant stakeholders and adopt internationally-recognized best practices to safeguard Ghana’s territorial integrity.
“The work of the Boundaries Commission is consequential to the peace and security of our nation as it borders on the territorial integrity of our country. We are aware of the devastating impact of unresolved border disputes on states and their people. The Bakasi Peninsular conflict, the renewed conflict between Israel and Palestine and the crisis between Sudan and South Sudan over oil rich boundaries are just a few of the examples”, the Minister stated.
“We therefore do not take this responsibility lightly. The implications of our actions or inactions on the security of the nation are grace and we’ll do our best to ensure that we safeguard through peaceful international means the territorial integrity of Ghana”, he said.
The Commission is made up of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (Chair), the National Coordinator of the Ghana Boundary Commission, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Justice, Minister for Defense, Minister for Energy, the Transport Minister, a representative of the local Government Ministry, National Security Council, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Institute of Surveyors, Ghana Institute of Geoscientists and a representative of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
