ITLOS ruling: Debt of gratitude to Akufo-Addo, former Attoney General – Mahama
Former president John Mahama has said he has been beaming with smiles
following Ghana’s victory in the maritime boundary dispute against
neighbours Cote d’Ivoire.
The International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on
Saturday, September 23, 2017 unanimously ruled that Ghana did not
violate the rights of Cote d’Ivoire in exploring oil at the maritime
boundary.
Commenting on the judgment, former President Mahama under whose
tenure the case was first sent to ITLOS saluted his former Attorney
General Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong for leading a team of dedicated and
committed local and international lawyers.
He added: “Ghana also owes its gratitude to President Nana
Akufo-Addo and Attorney General Gloria Akuffo for allowing the
litigation to continue and for the wise decision in seeking the
collaboration of the former Attorney General in pursuing the case. It
shows clearly, what we can achieve together when Government works as a
continuum.”
Below is Mahama’s full statement on the ITLOS judgment:
Earlier today, September 23, 2017, the International Tribunal for
the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delivered a unanimous judgement in favour of
Ghana. I received the news with great joy.
This marks a successful conclusion of four (4) years of hard work,
dedication and commitment by a team of local and international lawyers
and experts led by Ghana’s former Attorney General, Marietta Brew
Appiah-Opong.
After fourteen (14) meetings of the Maritime Boundary Commission
with their Ivorian counterparts over a period of six (6) years, a
conclusion was reached in 2014 that negotiations were leading nowhere as
La Cote D’Ivoire presented new calculations that claimed even more of
Ghana’s recognised maritime territory.
Action became even more urgent after the Programme of Development was
signed for work to begin on the TEN Field. Warning letters received
from the Ivorian authorities by the TEN partners working legitimately in
Ghana’s recognised maritime territory required that a definitive
solution to the dispute was needed and urgently.
This was a difficult decision especially considering the very
excellent relations established between our two countries. Our
sovereignty and our precious resources were at risk and it was necessary
to take the bold but difficult decision to issue the notice of
arbitration to La Cote D’Ivoire.
I am proud of the results and salute my brother President Alassane
Ouatarra that we did not allow this litigation to mar the cordial
relations that exists between Ghana and La Cote D’Ivoire.
Ghana owes a debt of gratitude to the following- former Attorney
General & Minister for Justice Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong, Deputy
Attorney General Dominic Ayine, Solicitor General Helen Ziwu;
International Counsels Professor Philippe Sands Q.C. and Paul Reichler;
Fui Tsikata and team from Reindorf Chambers; Hanna S. Tetteh, Kofi Buah,
Nii Osah Mills, Jane Ahetor and Dr. Joseph Kwadwo Asensuo; Theo
Ahwireng and team from Petroleum Commission; Thomas Manu and team from
the GNPC; Kojo Efunam and officials of the EPA; Kwame Mfodwo &
Professor Martin Tsamenyi from the Maritime Boundary Secretariat; Alex
Tait of International Mapping Associates; members of the former Cabinet
who endorsed my decision to proceed to ITLOS, and others too many to
mention.
Appreciation must also go to former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
for his attempts, though unsuccessful, to mediate an amicable resolution
of the dispute.
Ghana also owes its gratitude to President Nana Akufo-Addo and
Attorney General Gloria Akuffo for allowing the litigation to continue
and for the wise decision in seeking the collaboration of the former
Attorney General in pursuing the case. It shows clearly, what we can
achieve together when Government works as a continuum.
This win means that our sovereignty over the area has been preserved
and upheld. It also means that all the billions of dollars’ worth of
resources are available for the development and benefit of the good
people of Ghana.
God bless our homeland Ghana and may He continue to make us great and strong.
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