Accra, September 23, 2017//-Ghana’s immediate past Minister of Justice and Attorney General Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong has expressed joy at the ruling of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delivered on Saturday (today).
The Tribunal virtually upheld Ghana’s long-standing view of its maritime boundary against a new dimension tabled by La Cote d’Ivoire.
Speaking on TV3’s Midday Live shortly after the judgement, Mrs Appiah-Oppong said: “It is a win for Ghana.” She had led the charge to the Germany-based international maritime court after bilateral efforts to find a solution to the dispute fell on rocks.
But the change in government in 2017 saw the current Minister of Justice, Gloria Afua Akuffo, took over the handling of the case from Mrs Appiah-Oppong.
The former AG felt vindicated by taking the issue to the Tribunal, insinuating that Ghana’s “resources are preserved and intact”.
She challenged assertions that Ghana clinched victory as a result of already deepened exploratory activities and that a different judgement other than Saturday’s would have dealt huge economic blow to the country.
“The Tribunal actually said it was not going to take into consideration resources in the area,” she said as the preceding statement of the President of the Special Chamber when hearing of case began in 2014. She expressed happiness that finality has been brought to the case. “There is no trouble [now].”
La Cote d’Ivoire accepts ruling
Meanwhile, Ghana and La Cote d’Ivoire have issued a joint communiqué to pledge commitment to the decision taken by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Germany on Saturday, September 23.
Signed by Gloria Akuffo, Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and Adama Toungara, Adviser to President Alassane Ouattara, the communiqué said: “Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana accept the decision, in accordance with the Statute of ITLOS”. The decision by the Special Chamber of ITLOS accepted Ghana’s methodology in considering its maritime boundary though it demanded it be written.
In effect, La Cote d’Ivoire’s Circumstance or Angle Bisector methodoloy was shot down.
READ: [ full-judgement-itlos-ruling-ghana-ivory-coast-maritime-dispute/] ITLOS ruling on Ghana-Ivory Coast maritime dispute Immediately after the judgement, the respective leaders of the two parties’ delegation signed the communiqué to express gratitude to the Special Chamber.
“Our two countries would also like to commend the Registrar of the Tribunal and his team for the admirable efficiency with which the case has been managed, resulting in an expeditious hearing to the mutual benefit of both parties.
“We are united in the expression of our gratitude to the Special Chamber.” The two parties are expected to return to their countries and begin the implementation stage. “Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana seize this opportunity to reiterate the mutual commitment of the two countries to abide by the terms of this decision from the Special Chamber and to fully collaborate for its implementation.”
African Eye Report/3news.com
