The government of Ghana has formally notified the government of Togo of its decision to pursue international arbitration to delimit the maritime boundary between the two countries, according to a press statement issued on Friday.

Ghana will seek resolution under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), after eight years of bilateral negotiations failed to produce an agreed settlement.

According to an official statement, the move is intended to prevent further escalation of tensions arising from incidents involving maritime activities in the disputed area. By referring the matter to arbitration, Ghana aims to secure a peaceful, legally binding resolution consistent with international law.