Government is hoping to reach an amicable agreement with the Togolese government on the Ghana-Togo Maritime Boundary demarcation.
This is the third time the two countries are meeting to properly demarcate the boundaries which is suspected to hold oil and gas in commercial quantities.
Lessons from Ghana-Ivory Coast dispute
Ghana last had a maritime dispute with Ivory Coast after the latter filed a case at the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea.
Even though Ghana won the case, lessons were learnt the hard way.
The development delayed exploration and production of oil in parts of the cape three point offshore.
Multinational oil companies held on to their investments with uncertainties.
Ghana upbeat of reaching agreement
Speaking at the meeting with the Togolese counterpart, the Head of Ghana’s delegation, National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah was hopeful the two parties will reach an agreement with no disputes.
“This is the third meeting between Ghana and Togo on the maritime boundary negotiations which shows we have come a long way to find mutual interest for both countries. This meeting started on the quest of both presidents for peaceful coexistence .Underlying principle is to get an outcome grounded in international law,” he said.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah stated that significant progress was made at a last meeting in Lome from October 30th to 31st this year.
He recalled that the two parties agreed on a work programme, timeline for negotiation and proposal for provisional arrangements in line with UN conventions.
Ghana delegation
The Ghana delegation also had Mr. Lawrence Apalse, Chief Director at the Ministry of Energy,representatives from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Survey and Mapping Division, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Office of the President.
Togolese delegation
Meanwhile, the Togolese delegation had a representatives from their Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Mapping and urban Development, Sea Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Togo in Accra, and Council of High Seas, Togo.
Modalities for negotiations
Among other things, Ghana and Togo are to address the negotiation processes through a technical and political dimensions.
The parties have also agreed on an agenda but Togo however expressed some reservations which were not disclosed but are yet to be addressed.
In addition, the Togolese delegation expressed concerns about Ghana’s decision to position the country’s Navy in some areas under the negotiation. It was the view of the Togolese delegation that the parties should recuse themselves from any form of activities in those areas until the negotiations are completed.
On his part, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Energy, Lawrence Apalse was upbeat that with the brotherliness and friendship between both countries the negotiations will not break down.