Officials in Accra say the move aims to secure a legally binding resolution while maintaining stable relations with Lomé.

In a briefing shared with the Diplomat News Network, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said discussions with Togo "did not yield convergence on the core technical issues,” particularly in determining how each country’s coastline should be projected to establish an equitable maritime boundary. A senior Ghanaian diplomat familiar with the talks said the shift to arbitration reflects "the need for clarity, predictability, and closure after years of structured dialogue.”

The contested offshore zone carries strategic and economic significance, including important fishing grounds and areas believed to hold hydrocarbon potential. Although neither state has offered new data on resource prospects, regional analysts note that clear demarcation is becoming increasingly relevant for maritime security cooperation and future energy licensing in the Gulf of Guinea.

Ghana previously turned to international adjudication in its 2017 case with Côte d’Ivoire, which resulted in a unanimous ruling from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Diplomatic observers say Accra’s decision to follow a similar legal route signals continued confidence in UNCLOS mechanisms and may encourage Lomé to participate constructively.

Togo’s Foreign Ministry has acknowledged receiving Ghana’s diplomatic notice but has not issued a substantive response. Both governments have publicly emphasized their commitment to maintaining calm as the arbitration process moves forward.