Ghana has formally notified Togo of its decision to refer their long-standing maritime boundary dispute to international arbitration, the government announced on Friday.
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the move seeks the delimitation of the offshore boundary under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the international framework governing the use and management of the world’s oceans.
“This follows attempts at negotiating a boundary which have gone on for the past eight years but have not resulted in an agreed outcome,” the statement read.
Ghana said it opted for arbitration to prevent further escalation of tensions that have occasionally arisen between state institutions in both countries. Officials stressed that the move aims to ensure a rules-based and amicable resolution, while preserving the longstanding cordial relations between Accra and Lomé.
Second recourse to arbitration in a decade
This is the second time Ghana has resorted to international adjudication over a maritime dispute. In 2014, Ghana initiated arbitration against neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire over offshore boundaries in the Gulf of Guinea, following significant oil discoveries.
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The case was heard by a Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) under UNCLOS. In September 2017, the tribunal delivered a binding judgment largely in Ghana’s favour, delimiting the maritime boundary along an equidistance line.
Officials said the experience underscores Ghana’s commitment to resolving maritime disputes through legal channels rather than unilateral action or force, reinforcing its adherence to international law.
The government of Ghana indicated that the arbitration with Togo will follow a similar legal framework, with the goal of obtaining a binding determination that will clarify the extent of each country’s offshore rights.
The move comes amid increasing exploration interest in the Gulf of Guinea, where offshore oil and gas deposits have heightened the strategic and economic importance of clearly defined maritime boundaries.
Accra has emphasised that pursuing arbitration under UNCLOS is intended to prevent conflict, promote stability, and protect the sovereign rights of both countries in their maritime zones.
The Ghana-Togo dispute highlights the broader challenge faced by West African coastal states in managing overlapping claims in resource-rich waters, and the government has reiterated its preference for international legal mechanisms to provide clarity and security for investors and citizens alike.
By turning to arbitration, Ghana aims to achieve a definitive, legally binding settlement, avoiding protracted tensions while ensuring that any future offshore development proceeds under recognised international rules.
Maritime boundaries are a critical issue for coastal states, particularly in West Africa, where overlapping claims often intersect with rich offshore oil and gas reserves. Ghana and Togo share a stretch of the Gulf of Guinea, a region known for its hydrocarbon potential, fisheries, and other marine resources, making clear delimitation of boundaries both a strategic and economic priority.
The dispute between Ghana and Togo has persisted for over eight years, despite repeated bilateral negotiations. Ghana has consistently advocated for a rules-based resolution under international law, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides a legal framework for the delimitation of maritime zones and the resolution of conflicts over overlapping claims.
This is not Ghana’s first experience with international maritime arbitration. In 2014, Ghana initiated proceedings against Côte d’Ivoire over their offshore boundary in the Gulf of Guinea following the discovery of significant oil reserves. The case was brought before a Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), which operates under UNCLOS. In 2017, the tribunal issued a binding ruling largely in Ghana’s favor, formally delimiting the boundary along an equidistance line and providing legal clarity that allowed both countries to move forward with offshore development. The precedent demonstrated Ghana’s commitment to settling disputes through legal mechanisms rather than unilateral action or potential confrontation.
The decision to take the Togo dispute to arbitration reflects similar considerations. Ghana’s government has highlighted the need to prevent tensions that have occasionally arisen between state institutions on both sides. By seeking a legally binding outcome, Accra aims to secure clarity over resource rights, particularly in areas where exploration and investment potential are high.
West African coastal states have increasingly turned to international arbitration and adjudication to manage overlapping claims, as regional maritime zones become more contested due to the economic value of offshore oil, gas, and fisheries. UNCLOS provides a globally recognized framework that promotes fairness, stability, and predictability, while reducing the risk of conflict.
Ghana’s approach signals its broader commitment to upholding international law, protecting sovereign rights, and encouraging responsible investment in its maritime zones. It also demonstrates the government’s recognition of the strategic importance of clearly defined offshore boundaries in sustaining economic growth, attracting foreign investment, and preserving regional stability.
As tensions over maritime claims have the potential to disrupt bilateral relations, Ghana’s recourse to arbitration underscores its preference for dialogue guided by legal principles rather than force or political pressure. The government has emphasized that the process aims to safeguard long-term relations with Togo while ensuring that any future development of offshore resources proceeds under clear and enforceable legal terms.
In addition to economic stakes, maritime boundary clarity is also crucial for security, environmental management, and resource conservation. By resolving the dispute through UNCLOS arbitration, Ghana seeks a comprehensive settlement that balances the interests of both states while maintaining regional peace and stability.
This arbitration initiative reinforces the growing trend among West African nations to rely on international law to resolve disputes in resource-rich maritime zones, reflecting a commitment to diplomacy, legality, and sustainable development.
