Ghana Strengthens International Legal Standing with Historic ITLOS Appointment and Joint Border Project with Côte d’Ivoire

Ghana has achieved a significant milestone in international maritime law with the swearing-in of Dr. Sylvia Ama Adusu as a member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Dr. Adusu makes history as the first African woman to serve on the tribunal, following her election in June 2023 where she secured 130 out of 169 votes at the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This appointment highlights Ghana’s growing influence in global legal frameworks and its commitment to the rule of law on the international stage.

Dr. Adusu, who brings over three decades of expertise in international law and a track record of handling major maritime cases for Ghana, was sworn in alongside four other distinguished judges from Brazil, Tunisia, Vietnam, and India. While the swearing-in ceremony has taken place, the new judges are slated to begin their nine-year terms on October 1, 2026. Her elevation to this prestigious body is seen as a testament to her professional rigor and Ghana's leadership in maritime diplomacy within the West African sub-region.

Simultaneously, Ghana is making strides in terrestrial diplomacy through the joint inauguration of 37 International Boundary Pillars with Côte d’Ivoire. This initiative marks the successful completion of Phase One of the Joint Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire Land Boundary Reaffirmation Exercise. The project, which covers a 150 km stretch of the border, held its commissioning ceremonies in New Town, Ghana, and Diby, Côte d’Ivoire. Funded by GIZ and the African Union (AU) Border Programme, the exercise aims to clarify territorial limits while fostering peaceful co-existence between the neighboring nations.

Major General Anthony Ntem of the Ghana Boundary Commission emphasized that the installation of these pillars is essential for regional integration and aligns with the African Union’s vision of a borderless Africa. By clearly defining boundaries, both nations are upholding the 1964 agreements regarding colonial-era borders, thereby reducing potential for conflict and enhancing security. Together, these legal and diplomatic advancements reflect a broader regional commitment to stability, territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of boundary matters across the continent.