The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio has commended the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC) for exceptionally carrying out its duties over the past three years.
Addressing a news conference at the Ministry of Information, Tuesday, this week, the deputy minister said “The Commission has been very active over the past three years in parading the length and breadth of Ghana’s boundaries.”
According to Benito Owusu Bio, despite the numerous activities undertaken by the Commission, most Ghanaians are still not aware of its existence. He, therefore, called on all and sundry to promote the good works of the Ghana Boundary Commission.
“You have all been invited to help promote the Commission as a relatively new institution, most Ghanaians do not know of its existence and how different it is from other border management institutions.”
The National Coordinator of the GhBC, Major General Emmanuel W. Kotia, said the Commission has for the past years made significant efforts towards the reaffirmation, demarcation and delimitation of Ghana’s international land and maritime boundaries to ensure the territorial sovereignty of the Republic.
“The Commission also advises the government on international conventions in relation to the boundaries of Ghana and the signing and ratification of treaties related to land and maritime boundaries,” he added.
He continued that the overall goal of the Commission is to protect and secure the territorial interest of Ghana as a trusted partner with Ghana’s neighboring states.
On some of the activities undertaken by the Commission, Major Emmanuel W. Kotia noted that his outfit carried out consultative meetings with neighbouring Boundary Commissions.
Also, he said his outfit engaged Togo on maritime negotiations and implemented a mutually agreed Service, Vigilance and Partnerships.
On achievements, Major Emmanuel W. Kotia told the journalists that the Commission has also constructed the Land Boundary (Pillar 1) between Ghana and Togo.
“The Commission undertook joint maritime boundary inspections with the Ghana Navy along the eastern and western frontiers to evaluate maritime assets and assess cross-boundary violations and activities at sea that affect Ghana’s territorial integrity”, he said.
The Commission also established a systematic Geo-Database to manage Ghana’s International Boundaries.
Major General Emmanuel W. Kotia concluded by saying that the Commission relies on the expertise and skills of people in various agencies in advancing their mandate.
He again assured that his outfit would continue to receive unflinching support from partners and stakeholders (MDAs), Neighboring Countries and development Partners who have worked tirelessly with us in the course of the past years.
Background
The Ghana Boundary Commission was established by Act 795 of Parliament in 2010. The vision of the Commission is to ensure that Ghana’s land and maritime boundaries are effectively secured and managed within the framework of international law, peace and security and the AU and ECOWAS protocols of African and regional integration.
