Ghana says it will not terminate diplomatic talks with neighbouring Ivory Coast, despite a raging maritime border dispute between the two nations.
The two West African neighbours are presently engaged in a battle at the Germany-based International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) over disputed oil fields in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Tribunal recently delivered a cautious ruling that triggered celebrations in Ghana after Ivorian officials filed an interim application seeking to restrain Ghana from continuing with Oil Exploration and Production activities in the disputed area.
Minority Spokesperson on Energy, Hon. K.T Hammond quickly hailed the ruling as first round victory for Ghana and accused Ivory Coast of mischief.
He called the application by the Ivoirians a betrayal of trust and asked the Mahama administration to terminate diplomatic talks aimed at resolving the impasse.
But Petroleum Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has told Citi Business News Accra will continue to engage with Abijan.
"Our relationship with Ivory Coast is excellent, we engage with them in different areas including trade, power etc and that is going to continue. On the specific issue over the dispute I think the court order is very clear on engaging with Ivory Coast and we are going to do that; we will respect the ruling by the court.
We will always engage Ivory Coast; our future as two countries is tied and we will continue to talk," he stressed.
Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah was speaking to Citi Business News on the sidelines of the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.
He adds that Ghana will do whatever it takes within the law to ensure her investments in the disputed fields do not go waste.
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