By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, Sept. 25, GNA – Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have jointly commissioned 37 newly constructed International Boundary Pillars in two historic ceremonies held at New Town in Ghana and Diby in Côte d’Ivoire, marking the successful completion of Phase 1 of the Joint Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire Land Boundary Reaffirmation Exercise.
The exercise, supervised by the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC), covered a total distance of 150 kilometres.
A statement from the Commission’s Corporate Affairs Unit said the project, funded by GIZ and the African Union Border Programme (AUBP), was executed by the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The 37 pillars comprised one Terminus, 12 Main Pillars, 20 Intermediate Pillars, and four Border Crossing Pillars.
The first ceremony, held on Tuesday at New Town in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region, commissioned the Terminus Pillar — the International Boundary Pillar marking the end of the Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire Land Boundary and the beginning of the Maritime Boundary between the two countries.
The second event, held on Thursday at Diby, an Ivorian border community adjacent to Yaakase in the Enchi area of the Western North Region, commissioned IBP48, which serves as both a Main and a Border Crossing Pillar.
Major General Anthony Ntem, the Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, said the newly constructed pillars reinforced the African Union’s vision of a “Borderless Africa,” where clearly defined boundaries serve as a foundation for cooperation.
“A Borderless Africa does not mean Africa without clearly defined boundaries. Rather, it is an Africa in which clearly defined and mutually respected boundaries facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services, encourage legitimate trade and interaction, and create the certainty necessary for deeper regional integration,” he emphasised.
He added that “the strength of a united and integrated Africa depends on certainty, trust and cooperation among sovereign states, which clearly defined and mutually respected boundaries, established through delimitation, demarcation and reaffirmation, provide.”
Dr Diakalidia Konaté, the Executive Secretary of the National Boundary Commission of Côte d’Ivoire, said the reaffirmation exercise aimed to make the International Boundary Line more visible.
He commended members of the Joint Land Boundary Technical and Sub-Technical Committees for their dedication and urged them to maintain their commitment as Phase 2 of the exercise begins later this year.
Mr Matthias Veltin, the German Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, reaffirmed his government’s support for initiatives promoting African integration and cooperation.
“GIZ’s support in this respect aims to prevent conflict along the borders,” he said, adding that African boundaries should not separate people but serve as points of union and collaboration.
Mr Wilbert Petty Brentum, the Western North Regional Minister, speaking on behalf of Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said the newly constructed pillars symbolised the joint efforts of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to uphold the 1964 pledge by African states to maintain inherited colonial boundaries.
He noted that Ghana prioritises boundary reaffirmation and management because it provides clarity for responsible and inclusive governance.
He urged residents of border areas to protect the pillars and act as ambassadors of peace and cooperation.
The successful completion of Phase 1 paves the way for Phase 2 of the Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire International Land Boundary Reaffirmation Exercise, which will cover a total distance of 400 kilometres under the supervision of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Boundary Commission.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo
Reporter: Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Email: [email protected]