The Ghana Boundary Commission has organized a joint community sensitization exercise with the National Boundary Commission of Togo on the reaffirmation of the Ghana-Togo Boundary. The event took place on the 19th of October, 2023, at the Honuta Border.
In his welcome address, the District Chief Executive for Ho West, Hon. Ernest Apau, expressed gratitude to both institutions for embarking on such important exercise. He emphasized that the exercise is a significant step in promoting trans-border cooperation and local community development. He also urged all stakeholders to actively participate to ensure peace prevail.
The Hon. Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Benito Owusu Bio, in his opening remarks, noted that the reaffirmation exercise was aimed at replacing all destroyed or tampered boundary pillars of the Ghana-Togo land boundary to safeguard the territorial borders of both countries.
He emphasized that the responsibility to maintain our boundary markings does not solely depend on the Ghana Boundary Commission and the National Boundary Commission of Togo, but Chiefs, opinion leaders, and communities as well.
Major General Emmanuel Kotia, the National Coordinator of Ghana Boundary Commission also explained that the reaffirmation exercise is not meant to demarcate a new boundary but to reaffirm the existing boundary line of the Ghana-Togo boundary by replacing existing marks or pillars that have been damaged or tampered with.
He added that the exercise is very important as it will help to prevent disputes over land boundaries. He stated that the reaffirmation exercise will cover a distance of 100 km and will be completed within three weeks.
Maj. General Kotia called for the support and cooperation of the chiefs, opinion leaders, and communities for the Joint Technical Committee that will be engaged in the exercise.
The Volta Regional Minister, who was represented by the District Chief Executive of Afadzato South and Dean of DCEs in the Volta Region, Hon. Etornam Flolu stated that the government is committed to providing all the necessary support for the reaffirmation exercise. He noted that boundary issues are one of the main problems faced by communities along the border lines and expressed hope that the exercise will promote peace and safeguard the sovereignty of both countries.
Hon. Flolu urged Stakeholders to cooperate with each other and extend their support to the technical committee that will be carrying out the reaffirmation exercise along the border lines.
The Coordinator of Togo Boundary Commission, Mr. Dotsevi Atsoitsu, in his address, reiterated that the Joint Technical Team would not demarcate new boundary pillars but would reaffirm existing ones. He emphasized the need for stakeholders to work collectively to achieve a common goal.
Chiefs from both Ghana and Togo emphasized the key role the exercise will play in solving some of the boundary land disputes and pledged their unwavering support for the exercise.
In attendance were the Hon. Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the Hon. Volta Regional Representative, National Coordinator and Officials of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Coordinator of the Togo Boundary Commission, Togo Deputy Minister for Personnel and Administration, Representative of the Member of Parliament of Ho West Constituency, District Chief Executives of Ho West and Afadzato South, Security Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Opinion Leaders from Ghana and Togo, Assembly Members of Kpedze and Honuta enclaves, Staff of the Assembly and some Residents living along the Border.
Source: ISD, Ho West District
