Former Energy Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has advised the country to take advantage of the ruling of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to strengthen its ties with la Cote d’Ivoire rather than just jubilating.
According to the Ellembele Member of Parliament, it is a fact that the two countries have some common boundaries and a common interest when it comes to commerce and trade, hence the reason why government needs to take advantage of the current victory to solidify that long standing relationship.
The Hamburg-based International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on Saturday rejected Ivory Coast’s claim that Ghana’s exploration activities are infringing on its sovereign right. A ruling that has been welcomed by Ghanaians and celebrated widely.
In a joint statement released minutes after the ruling was delivered, the two countries pledged their commitment to accept the terms of the judgment and continue with the cordial relationship between the two West African countries.
But commenting on the victory on Monday’s edition of Onua FM morning show hosted by Bright Kwesi Asempa, the former Energy Minister in the erstwhile government explained that Cote d’Ivoire unlike Ghana, has started drilling oil for over 25 years before Ghana, so it is important “we don’t see this victory as opportunity to just celebrate but rather we need to harness on this current victory and build on our relationship. We have our people there and also their people are here, in fact we share common border so we need to do something now”
Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah also noted that former President John Dramani Mahama should be ‘highly’ commended for what he described as a bold decision to send the case about the disputed area to International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for adjudication.
He said the former President (John Dramani Mahama) has sworn an oath to protect the territorial integrity of the country upon assumption of office and “he did exactly that when the issue first cropped up. He took the right decision in order to avoid unnecessary tension between the two countries which have coexisted peacefully for decades”
“While it is in order to congratulate and praise the team that worked tirelessly to deliver this land mark victory for the country, it will be in the right direction to give glory to the one who started the process, and that person is John Dramani Mahama” the former Energy Minister opined.
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