ITLOS ruling: Ghana’s victory not for NPP or NDC - Group

A group calling itself, Progressive Alliance Media Communicators (PAMC) has said the historic win of Ghana in the maritime boundary dispute against Côte d'Ivoire is not a victory for NPP or NDC but a victory for all Ghanaians and even for the Ivorians as well.

The Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in a unanimous decision on Saturday, September 23, 2017 ruled that there has not been any violation on the part of Ghana on Côte d'Ivoire's maritime boundary.

The Chamber rejected Côte d'Ivoire's argument that Ghana's coastal lines were unstable.

Justice Boualem, President of the Special Chamber in reading the judgement accepted Ghana's argument on adoption of the equidistant method of delineation of the maritime boundary.

In 2007, Ghana discovered oil and gas in commercial quantities, and this was followed by Côte d'Ivoire staking its claim to portions of the West Cape Three Points.

In a statement issued on September 25, 2017, the group indicated that the victory for Ghana on the maritime boundary dispute should not be partisan but a victory for everyone.

"This is not a victory for NDC or NPP. It is not even a victory of Ghana over La Côte d'Ivoire. It is a victory for peace for the people of both countries".

The group also acknowledged the great service of a renowned Ghanaian historian and geographer, Professor R.B. Benin for making available his cartography works on delineation of boundary for Ghana to build her case on.

This case has seen the political space of the country unusually united for that common goal and we want to commend all the citizenry for the show of great patriotism. We wish this will be beginning of a new Ghana, the group added.

The group called on government of Ghana to use the opportunity of the ruling to intensify the country's maritime security most especially around the oil fields to safeguard the enormous corporate oil giants operating in the county.



Below is the full statement;

Press release

25/09/17

THE ITLOS’ JUDGEMENT ON THE MARITIME BOUNDARY DISPUTE BETWEEN GHANA AND LA COTE D’ IVOIRE, VERY COMMENDABLE – PAMC

We share in the joy and excitement of Ghanaians on the verdict from the ITLOS on the long disputed maritime boundary between the two West Africa countries. As an organization, we had a lot of interest in the case and monitored every bit of the proceedings from the beginning right to the delivery of the judgment on Saturday 23rd September, 2017.

We want to congratulate the government, the legal team, Technocrats and the people of Ghana for putting first the interest of the country which result is this land mark victory that obviously gives Ghana the moral and legal confidence to continue her Oil exploitation.

We want to exclusively commend the former president His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for a decisive action to have the dispute resolved conclusively amidst the political and business risk. We applaud the former Attorney General, Madam Marrietta Brew for the excellent professional quality exhibited leading to the victory for Ghana. She passed on a solid foundation to her successor Hon. Gloria Akuffo whose hard work is also very commendable.

This case has seen the political space of the country unusually united for that common goal and we want to commend all the citizenry for the show of great patriotism. We wish this will be the beginning of a new Ghana.

We also acknowledge Professor R.B. Benin a renowned Ghanaian historian and geographer for making available his cartography works on delineation of boundaries for Ghana to build her case on.

Last but not the least, we commend very highly the government and the people of La cote D’ Ivoire for committing to a peaceful and legal process for a resolution.

This is not a victory for NDC or NPP. It is not even a victory of Ghana over La Côte D'Ivoire. It is a victory for peace for the people of both countries

We finally want to admonish the government of Ghana to use the opportunity of this ruling to intensify the country’s marine security especially around the oil fields to protect the enormous investments made by the various governments and the big corporate oil giants operating in the country.

Signed!

Annette Enyo

(Lead Converner)

Alex Kodjo Eyram Missadji

(In charge of communication )

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