By Rachel Kakraba
African Union (AU), Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has called on AU member countries to sign onto the African Union Border Programme to promote stability and peace among them. The programme, otherwise known as the Niamey Convention, entails various strategies that enhance cross-border trade and security.
”We want to encourage more members to sign onto the Niamey Convention so that cross-border trade, cross-border security will be ensured and will be assured.”
Ambassador Adeoye said this when he led a three-member delegation from the AU Commission to pay a working visit to the Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia in Accra. He commended the work of the Boundary Commissions on the African subregion and urged members to share experiences for the best outcomes.
“I think we need to continue to appreciate your work, and I believe most of our member states have a Boundary Commission and indeed we need to do more experience sharing.”
The visiting AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, said the stability of the continent largely depends on the peaceful coexistence of border countries. He emphasised that Africa cannot be peaceful in the midst of border conflicts.
“In all that we do, we have to realise that stability of our continent, particularly of our countries, also relies on durable solutions for any border disputes.”
The Ghana Boundary Commission ensures that Ghana’s land, maritime, and air boundaries are effectively secured and managed within the framework of International Law, Peace and Security. It among other things, determines and demarcates the land boundaries of Ghana and delimits the maritime boundaries in accordance with accepted principles of international law.
Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia, said the issue of Boundary Commissions should be discussed at the Peace and Security Council of the AU and at the Head of State meeting to attract the needed attention.
“Most of the heads of state are not very conversant with the role the Boundary Commission plays. Once they get that understanding, most of these countries will come on board, and probably the African Union Convention on cross-border cooperation will be signed very fast.”
He said the commission, when well-placed, can serve as an early warning system of potential conflicts.
”The best lesson for Africa is that boundary commissions can be used for the peace, security, and stability of countries because they can serve as a buffer; they can serve as early warning systems so far as potential conflicts along our land and maritime boundaries are concerned.”
“The Boundary Commission is a special entity that must have the powers to at least go into agreements with other Boundary Commissions to resolve issues before they explode,” Major General Kotia added.
Major General Kotia was grateful to Ambassador Adeoye and his team for the keen interest in issues of Boundary Commission as well as the support in ensuring good border governance on the continent.
Director of Policy and Programmes, Sarah Ekuban, said the Commission has participated in AU-driven programmes all in a bid to protect the territorial integrity of Ghana.
