The Government of Ghana has formally opted for international arbitration to resolve its long-running maritime boundary dispute with neighbouring Togo, following years of unsuccessful bilateral negotiations.
In a statement issued by the Presidency, the government said the decision comes after more than eight years of attempts to settle the matter through diplomatic and technical engagements failed to yield a mutually acceptable outcome.
According to the statement, Ghana has officially served Togo with notice of its intention to seek delimitation of the maritime boundary through international arbitration, in line with provisions of 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,” the statement said.
The move underscores Ghana’s preference for a rules-based and peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, particularly given the economic and strategic importance of its offshore territory. Ghana’s maritime zone hosts key activities including oil and gas exploration, fishing, shipping, and undersea infrastructure, all of which require legal certainty to attract and sustain investment.
Although the Presidency did not provide details on the specific points of contention, maritime boundary disputes typically involve overlapping claims to offshore resources and jurisdictional control, issues that can affect exploration licences, security patrols and commercial operations.
Ghana’s decision mirrors its earlier experience on its western frontier, where it faced a similar maritime boundary dispute with Côte d’Ivoire. That dispute, which spanned from 2010 to 2017, was ultimately referred to the **International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). In September 2017, the tribunal delivered a binding judgment that resolved the boundary issue and brought clarity to offshore petroleum activities in the area.
The successful conclusion of that case is widely credited with restoring investor confidence in Ghana’s offshore oil and gas sector and preventing potential disruptions to production and exploration.
Analysts say the decision to pursue arbitration with Togo could similarly help de-risk Ghana’s eastern maritime corridor, ensuring predictability for businesses operating in shipping, fisheries and energy, while reinforcing the country’s reputation for respecting international law.
The government reiterated its commitment to maintaining cordial relations with Togo throughout the arbitration process and expressed confidence that a lawful and transparent resolution would serve the long-term interests of both countries.
Once constituted, the arbitration process under UNCLOS is expected to examine historical claims, technical surveys and legal arguments before issuing a binding decision on the maritime boundary.
