Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire have jointly commissioned 37 newly constructed International Boundary Pillars in two historic events at New Town in Ghana and Diby in Cote d'Ivoire. The events mark the successful completion of Phase 1 of the Joint Ghana-Cote d'Ivoire Land Boundary Reaffirmation Exercise, supervised by the Ghana Boundary Commission. The exercise covered a total distance of 150 km and was fully funded by the GIZ and the African Union Border Programme.
The 37 newly constructed pillars comprise 1 Terminus, 12 Main Pillars, 20 Intermediate Pillars, and four Border Crossing Pillars. The first ceremony, held at New Town in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region of Ghana, commissioned the Terminus Pillar, marking the end of the Ghana-Côte d'Ivoire International Land Boundary and the beginning of the International Maritime Boundary between the two countries.
The second ceremony, held at Diby, an Ivorian border community adjacent to Yaakase in the Enchi general area of the Western North Region, commissioned IBP48, serving as both a main and a border crossing pillar. The Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Anthony Ntem, highlighted that the newly constructed pillars reinforce the African Union's vision of a borderless Africa.
Major General Ntem noted that clearly defined and mutually respected boundaries facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services, and create the certainty necessary for deeper regional integration. He urged all stakeholders to see the newly constructed pillars as markers of certainty, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence.
The Executive Secretary of the National Boundary Commission of Côte d'Ivoire, Dr. Diakalidia Konate, said the reaffirmation exercise aims to make the International Boundary Line more visible. He expressed appreciation to the members of the Joint Land Boundary Technical and Sub-Technical Committees for their work during the first phase.
The German Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, HE Matthias Veltin, indicated the German Government's commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at promoting African integration and cooperation. He noted that GIZ's support aims to prevent conflict along the borders and that African boundaries should not separate people, but rather point to union and collaboration.
The successful completion of Phase 1 paves the way for the commencement of Phase 2, which will cover a total distance of 400 km under the supervision of the National Boundary Commission of Côte d'Ivoire. The Regional Minister for the Western North, Wilbert Petty Brentum, noted that the newly constructed pillars symbolize the joint efforts of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to fulfill the pledge made by both countries in 1964.
Key points
- The joint commissioning of the boundary pillars marks a significant step towards promoting African integration and cooperation.
- The newly constructed pillars will facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.
- Phase 2 of the reaffirmation exercise will cover a total distance of 400 km.
