Ghana has formally initiated international arbitration proceedings to resolve its longstanding maritime boundary dispute with neighbouring Togo, signaling a shift from diplomatic negotiations to legal adjudication under international law
In a statement issued Friday by the Presidency Communications Office, the government confirmed that it has officially notified Lomé of its decision to seek delimitation of the contested boundary through arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The Government of Ghana has served the Government of Togo with notice of its decision that the maritime boundary between Ghana and Togo be delimited by recourse to international arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the statement said.
The move follows eight years of bilateral negotiations that failed to yield a mutually agreed settlement. According to the government, prolonged discussions have not resulted in a definitive outcome.
While the statement did not detail the specific points of contention, it acknowledged that unresolved issues have created tensions between certain institutions in both countries. The decision to pursue arbitration, it said, is aimed at preventing further escalation and safeguarding diplomatic relations.
“Ghana has taken this step in order to avoid an escalation of incidents that have created tensions between some of our institutions and to promote an amicable resolution, thereby contributing to the continued good relations between our two countries,” the statement added.
Background to the Dispute
The maritime disagreement is understood to be linked to offshore oil exploration activities. In 2018, the Petroleum Commission indicated that Togo had, between December 2017 and May 2018, halted two Ghanaian seismic vessels conducting data acquisition in deep waters near the disputed boundary.
The dispute gained renewed attention following the resolution of Ghana’s maritime boundary case with Côte d’Ivoire, after which Togo asserted claims over a boundary area approaching its territory.
By invoking UNCLOS, Ghana is seeking a binding legal determination rather than continued political negotiation. The convention provides an established framework for resolving disputes concerning maritime boundaries, territorial waters, and resource rights.
Maritime boundaries in West Africa carry significant economic weight due to offshore oil and gas reserves as well as fishing resources. Although no specific exploration blocks were referenced in the latest statement, the emphasis on avoiding escalation suggests growing operational and commercial sensitivities.
The arbitration process is expected to involve the constitution of an arbitral tribunal and the submission of legal arguments by both states. Such proceedings can take several years before a final and binding decision is delivered.