All posts by : Josh Dotse

For decades, Ghana has treated flooding as an emergency. Every rainy season, government agencies and some corporate bodies, including a few religious organisations and individuals mobilise relief items, reconstruct damaged roads and bridges, desilt drains, and compensate affected victims and communities.

This cycle repeats itself year after year, consuming public, private and individual resources that could otherwise be invested in national development.

Perhaps it is time for Ghana to consider a bold policy innovation which I will call RAINFALL TAX.

Concept of the rainfall tax
The proposal is not a tax on the rain that falls from the atmosphere. Rather, it is an environmental financing mechanism that requires developments with extensive impermeable surfaces such rooftops, concrete compounds, shopping centres, parking areas and paved landscapes to contribute towards the cost of managing the rainwater runoff they generate as a result of their actions.

Urban flooding and scientific evidence
From available literature, scientific evidence shows that urban flooding in Ghana is increasingly linked to the rapid replacement of natural vegetation with concrete surfaces as well as building on natural waterways and converting naturally occurring waterlogged areas into development landscapes.

As a result, these impermeable surfaces expand, rainwater can no longer infiltrate the soil but instead flows rapidly into drains and waterways that are already choked with plastics and solid waste, overwhelming existing infrastructure and causing floods.

Research on the Accra Metropolis found that large sections of the city have become natural runoff convergence zones, with approximately one-third classified as flood-prone and another quarter experiencing frequent flooding due to topography, drainage patterns and urban development.

Historical context of flooding in Ghana
Flooding in Accra and its environs are not new. Historical records indicate major flood events dating back as published on the front page of The Ghanaian Daily Graphic of 18th April 1960 just to mention as emphasis and support my argument and the catastrophic June 3, 2015, disaster, among many others are testimonials we have worked for.

The June 3, 2015, flood and fire disaster remains one of the darkest moments in Ghana’s recent history. More than 150 lives were lost, over 53,000 people were affected, and extensive damage occurred to homes, transport systems, water infrastructure and businesses.

The estimated direct economic damage exceeded US$55 million, while reconstruction needs were estimated at approximately US$105 million eleven years ago.

Economic and developmental impact
Beyond these headline figures lies an even greater economic burden. Every flood destroys individual homes and property, roads, schools, markets, electricity infrastructure and private investments while reducing productivity, disrupting transport and imposing heavy fiscal pressures on Ghana’s constrained budget.

Shift from reactive to proactive policy
Academics, researchers and sustainable development practioners including resilience infrastructure experts have consistently argued that Ghana’s flood management strategy should move from reactive disaster response towards proactive investment in resilience, risk reduction and integrated urban water management. This is where the rainfall tax proposal becomes relevant.

Policy mechanism and design
The principle is simple: developments that increase rainwater runoff should contribute to financing the infrastructure needed to manage that runoff.

When implemented, revenue generated could be deposited into a dedicated Rainwater Management Fund, protected by law and used exclusively for drainage expansion, desilting of waterways, rainwater harvesting systems, retention ponds, wetland restoration, green infrastructure, flood forecasting systems and climate adaptation projects.

Incentives for green infrastructure
The tax could also encourage environmental stewardship by providing rebates to households, industries and commercial properties that install rainwater harvesting systems, permeable pavements, green roofs or other sustainable drainage technologies.

Climate change and financing context
As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events across West Africa, Ghana requires innovative domestic financing mechanisms that complement international climate finance while reducing dependence on emergency expenditures after disasters occur.

Core policy question
The debate should therefore not be whether Ghana should tax rain. The real question is whether those developments that significantly increase runoff should contribute to the public cost of managing its consequences.

Cost of inaction
Every year, unmanaged rainfall costs Ghana lives, livelihoods and millions of cedis in infrastructure damage. A carefully designed Rainfall Tax could transform that same rainfall into a predictable source of financing for climate resilience, safer cities and sustainable development.

The choice before Ghana today is simple: continue paying for floods after they happen, or invest in managing rainfall before it becomes a disaster.

Conclusion
In otherwise, choice before Ghana is no longer between action and inaction, but between repeated disaster recovery and strategic resilience financing. A Rainfall Tax offers a practical pathway to convert an escalating climate risk into a structured investment in national protection, infrastructure durability, and long-term economic stability.

University of Cape Coast, Ghana, June 5, 2026: On the morning of World Environment Day 2026, the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) gathered students, faculty, and guests under one roof to mark the occasion. The theme this year, “A Global Call to Climate Action,” set the tone for a day of honest conversation about where Ghana stands in the global climate story.

Dr. Samuel Dotse, the Chief Executive Officer of HATOF Foundation, was invited to serve as the Guest Speaker for the symposium. He spoke on the topic: “When Science Becomes a Negotiation Power Under International Financial Mechanisms for Climate Action.”

Dr. Dotse argued that the ability to attract international climate finance from mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, and loss and damage funds does not rest solely on vulnerability, but also on data. Countries with updated inventories, ecosystem valuations, and strong biodiversity datasets walk into negotiations with leverage, while those without them, however climate-exposed, risk being sidelined.

Ghana, he argued, finds itself in a difficult position: although ecologically rich, home to portions of the Upper Guinea Forest, biodiversity-significant wetlands, and a highly vulnerable coastline, it is underrepresented in the datasets that international allocation systems use. That gap, Dr. Dotse said, is becoming costly. A significant part of his address emphasized the inseparability of biodiversity from climate action. He posed three pointed questions: How can farmers build resilience as pollinators decline? How do communities pursue mitigation as forests shrink? How do coastal communities withstand storms as mangroves disappear? These questions anchored the argument that biodiversity data is now required, not a supplement, in climate proposals.

His call to universities was direct: institutions like UCC cannot afford to stay in their traditional academic lanes. They need to become environmental intelligence hubs, generating long-term ecological data, conducting biodiversity mapping, and producing the kind of science that feeds directly into negotiations and project proposals. As he put it, “biodiversity is no longer just for conservation reports. It is the climate negotiation capital.”

Attendees at the symposium included faculty members, the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, the Dean-Elect of the School of Biological Sciences, and students from across departments, including Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Oil & Gas, and Coastal Management. An inter-hall debate, drawing participation from nine (9) UCC halls, gave students a live platform to wrestle with these ideas.

For the HATOF Foundation, the day highlighted the importance of our work, linking science with policy and ensuring policies have the resources needed for action.

Happy World Environment Day.

Introduction

Environmental degradation has emerged as one of the most pressing governance challenges confronting Ghana and many developing countries today. Illegal mining activities, deforestation, wetland destruction, biodiversity loss, and pollution of major river systems continue to threaten ecological sustainability, public health, and long-term economic resilience.

While environmental laws and regulatory institutions exist, enforcement outcomes remain inadequate. A significant reason for this challenge lies in the continued dominance of human-centred legal reasoning, where environmental harm is often addressed only when direct human or economic impacts become visible.

Against this background, the emerging global concept of COURTS OF THE LIVING offers an important intellectual and policy reflection for the future of environmental governance.

Understanding the concept of courts of the living

The concept of Courts of the Living does not suggest literal courtrooms for animals or ecosystems. Rather, it represents an evolving jurisprudential and policy philosophy that encourages legal systems to take ecological integrity seriously within judicial and governance processes.

At its core, the approach asks a very simple and thought provoking question: How would legal and policy decisions change if ecosystems, biodiversity, rivers like PRA, ANKOBRA, DENSU etc, forests such ACHIMOTA, and non-human life were meaningfully considered within environmental decision-making frameworks? This growing school of thought reflects wider global concerns that traditional environmental governance systems are failing to adequately protect ecological systems from irreversible degradation.

Ghana’s environmental crises

Ghana’s environmental challenges demonstrate the limitations of purely anthropocentric governance systems. For example:

Rivers polluted by illegal mining are often assessed primarily in terms of human water consumption rather than total ecosystem collapse.

Forest degradation is frequently measured through economic loss rather than biodiversity destruction.

Environmental litigation often prioritises property damage while long-term ecological harm receives less institutional attention.

The result is a governance gap where ecosystems are treated as secondary considerations rather than foundational components of national sustainability. The Courts of the Living philosophy encourages policymakers, regulators, and judicial actors to reconsider this imbalance.

Towards ecological justice in Ghana

Applying the principles underlying Courts of the Living within Ghana does not require radical constitutional transformation. Instead, it calls for practical reforms that strengthen ecological accountability in governance systems. Key policy directions may include:

1. Ecological-Centred Environmental Assessments: Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)as well as Environmental and Social Management plan (ESMPs) should move beyond narrow economic considerations and incorporate: Biodiversity integrity indicators, Ecosystem recovery thresholds, Long-term ecological sustainability measurements.

2. Strengthening Environmental Adjudication: Courts handling environmental disputes should increasingly integrate; Scientific ecological evidence, Environmental experts and assessors, Biodiversity impact analysis in judicial reasoning,

3. Institutionalising Ecological Governance: Environmental agencies should formally recognise; Rivers, forests, wetlands, and biodiversity systems as critical governance assets, Ecosystem degradation thresholds as enforcement triggers

4. Integrating Indigenous and traditional Ecological Knowledge: Traditional Ghanaian communities have historically maintained strong ecological stewardship systems. Incorporating indigenous environmental knowledge into governance frameworks may strengthen sustainable resource management.

International environmental law implications

The principles associated with Courts of the Living align with broader developments in international environmental law, including: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Climate adaptation frameworks and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially ( 12 ,13 and 14).

Emerging ecological justice discourse

As environmental governance evolves internationally, countries that integrate ecological thinking into policy systems may be better positioned to address biodiversity decline and climate vulnerability.

Conclusion

The environmental crisis confronting Ghana requires more than stricter regulations alone. It demands a rethinking of how governance systems conceptualise the relationship between humanity and the natural world. The philosophy behind Courts of the Living offers an important policy reflection, thus environmental sustainability cannot be achieved if ecosystems remain peripheral within legal and governance reasoning. For Ghana, integrating ecological justice principles into environmental governance may strengthen biodiversity protection, improve environmental accountability, and support long-term sustainable development. In an era of accelerating ecological decline, the future of environmental governance may ultimately depend on whether legal systems are prepared to recognise that humanity itself remains inseparable from the living

The Executive Council of HATOF Foundation is pleased to invite esteemed firms to submit a proposal for the provision of external audit services for the 2026 financial year.

We are seeking the services of a qualified, reputable, and independent audit firm with the professional competence, technical expertise, and integrity to conduct a comprehensive, objective audit of our financial statements and related records in accordance with applicable auditing standards and regulatory requirements.

Kindly ensure that your proposal includes the following:

• Firm profile and relevant experience
• Proposed audit approach and methodology
• Team composition and key personnel
• Work plan and timeline
• Financial proposal and fee structure
• Copies of relevant licenses, registrations, and certifications
• References from similar assignments

Please submit your proposal to ghanainfo@hatof.org by May 29, 2026.

We appreciate your interest in this opportunity and look forward to receiving your proposal.

A quiet but potentially transformative shift in global climate governance is underway or has emerged. While the world’s attention often gravitates toward the annual United Nations framework convention on climate negotiations ,commonly referred to as ( climate summit or COP) a new model of cooperation is emerging, one that places science, rather than politics, at the center of decision-making.

From 24 to 30 April 2026, more than 50 countries gathered in Santa Marta, Colombia, for what was described as the first global summit dedicated specifically to phasing out fossil fuels. The meeting was jointly organized by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, under the leadership of Gustavo Petro- the presidentof Columbia. Unlike traditional UN climate conferences such as the last ended one in Belem (COP30), this meeting deliberately brought together only those countries willing to advance a clear transition away from oil, gas, and coal.

This marks a significant departure from the consensus-driven approach that has long defined international climate negotiations. In those forums, progress is often slowed by divergent national interests, particularly from major fossil fuel-producing states. In Santa Marta, however, the emphasis was not on negotiating compromise but on accelerating implementation.

At the heart of this new approach is the creation of the Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET), a body designed to provide direct, policy-relevant scientific guidance to participating governments. This initiative complements but also challenges the traditional role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change( IPCC) which has historically provided neutral scientific assessments without prescribing specific policy actions.

The distinction is important because where the IPCC informs, the new panel intends to guide. Where global processes often dilute scientific recommendations through political negotiation, this new initiative seeks to preserve their urgency and clarity.

The summit also saw the release of a report outlining twelve high-level actions to support a global transition away from fossil fuels. Among the most notable recommendations are an immediate halt to new fossil fuel infrastructure, the gradual elimination of subsidies that artificially lower the cost of fossil energy, and the rapid scaling of investments in renewable energy systems.

These proposals are not new in scientific circles. What is new is the political willingness among a coalition of countries to act on them decisively.

The implications of this development extend far beyond the participating nations. It signals the rise of what analysts increasingly describe as “coalition-based climate governance,” where groups of like-minded countries move ahead independently of slower multilateral processes. This model offers speed and ambition, but it also raises questions about inclusivity and global coordination.

For countries such as Ghana, the emergence of such coalitions presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, aligning with science-driven initiatives could unlock access to climate finance, technology transfer, and leadership positioning within the Global South. On the other, it may require difficult policy adjustments, including the reform of energy subsidies and a reassessment of fossil fuel development strategies.

More broadly, this development reflects an evolving landscape in international environmental governance, one that resonates with existing frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity. In both cases, the integration of scientific knowledge into policy is central. However, the Santa Marta initiative suggests a more direct and less mediated pathway from scientific evidence to political action.

Whether this model will complement or compete with the United Nations system remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the urgency of the climate crisis is driving innovation not only in technology and finance, but also in the very architecture of global cooperation.

As the world continues to grapple with rising emissions and intensifying climate impacts, initiatives such as this may well define the next phase of international climate action one where those ready to move forward do so, guided firmly by science.

By Dr. Samuel Dotse, CEO HATOF Foundation, a sustainable development and international environmental law expert with over 25 years of experience in multilateral environmental negotiations.

HATOF Foundation participated in a workshop on Ghana’s Supply Side Regulation for Electric Vehicles, organised by the Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES) at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) under the Moving Impact Project.

The workshop, held on 2 March 2026 at the Ministry of Transport in Accra, brought together policymakers, researchers, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society organisations from Ghana and the United Kingdom to discuss strategies for advancing electric mobility across Sub-Saharan Africa.

HATOF Foundation was represented at the workshop by its Senior Programmes, Partnerships and Climate Change Officer, reaffirming the organisation’s continued engagement in climate policy dialogue, sustainable mobility initiatives, and green development advocacy.

Strengthening Ghana’s Electric Mobility Ecosystem

The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to examine Ghana’s emerging electric mobility landscape and the policy frameworks being developed to support the transition to cleaner transport systems.

Participants discussed the growing importance of electric mobility in addressing environmental challenges, particularly the transport sector’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. With the transport sector accounting for a significant share of energy-related emissions in Ghana, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) presents an opportunity to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and strengthen energy efficiency.

Presentations during the workshop highlighted Ghana’s early progress in developing an electric vehicle market, including increasing registration of electric vehicles such as plug-in hybrid vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and electric two-wheelers.

Policy and Regulatory Developments

A key focus of the workshop was Ghana’s National Electric Vehicle Policy, which outlines the country’s vision for promoting the adoption and utilisation of safe, affordable electric vehicles.

The policy seeks to promote sustainable EV demand, strengthen EV supply chains, support research and innovation, develop human capital, and position Ghana as a potential hub for lithium-ion battery production. It also proposes a phased implementation strategy aimed at gradually increasing electric vehicle penetration across the national vehicle fleet.

Participants also discussed proposed Supply-Side Regulations, including the introduction of a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Sales Standard, which would require vehicle importers and manufacturers to include a minimum percentage of zero-emission vehicles in their sales portfolios. The regulation is expected to support the steady supply of cleaner vehicles and prevent Ghana from becoming a destination for high-emission vehicles.

Infrastructure and Investment Opportunities

The workshop further explored the infrastructure and investment requirements necessary to support the growth of electric mobility in Ghana.

Stakeholders highlighted the need to expand EV charging infrastructure across the country, including public charging stations in urban centres, charging networks along major transport corridors, and battery-swapping facilities.

Discussions also identified several opportunities for private sector investment within the EV ecosystem, including vehicle assembly, battery production and recycling, charging infrastructure development, and software platforms for fleet and charging management.

In addition, participants explored innovative financing mechanisms that could support the transition to electric mobility, including the potential establishment of a Green Transport Development Fund to finance infrastructure development, research, and incentives for EV adoption.

Advancing Sustainable Transport in Ghana

The workshop underscored the importance of coordinated policy frameworks, regulatory reforms, and private sector participation in accelerating the adoption of electric mobility.

For HATOF Foundation, participation in the workshop provided valuable insights into emerging opportunities within Ghana’s sustainable transport sector and reinforced the organisation’s commitment to supporting climate-friendly development pathways.

HATOF Foundation continues to engage in national and international policy dialogues that contribute to climate action, sustainable energy systems, and environmentally responsible development in Ghana and across Africa.

Introduction

Ghana has formally escalated its maritime boundary dispute with Togo to international arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), marking a significant shift from prolonged diplomatic negotiations to a legally binding adjudication.

The move comes after eight years of bilateral discussions that failed to produce a mutually acceptable agreement, highlighting the complexity of maritime governance in the resource-rich Gulf of Guinea.

To “delimit” a maritime boundary means to legally define and draw the line in the sea that separates the maritime zones of two neighbouring countries. Just as land borders divide territories on land, maritime boundaries divide rights and responsibilities at sea.

Under UNCLOS, coastal states are entitled to several maritime zones, including:

• A Territorial Sea (up to 12 nautical miles),
• An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (up to 200 nautical miles), and
• Rights over the continental shelf, which concerns seabed resources.

When two countries lie next to each other – as Ghana and Togo do – their maritime zones may overlap. Delimitation resolves that overlap by determining which state has sovereign rights over specific areas of water and seabed.

Historical Context of the Dispute

The maritime boundary dispute between Ghana and Togo began to take concrete shape in December 2017 and May 2018, when Togolese authorities halted two Ghanaian seismic survey vessels conducting deep-sea data acquisition in an area near the border that Ghana considered part of its offshore maritime zone.

Togo claimed that the vessels were operating in waters within its own claimed area, leading to the first significant flashpoints in the disagreement.

These incidents occurred shortly after Ghana won its maritime boundary case against Côte d’Ivoire in September 2017 at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

That ruling provided a binding delimitation of the boundary between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, giving Ghana legal clarity on its western maritime frontier.

Following the 2017–2018 incidents with Togo, both countries formed a Joint Maritime Boundary Technical Committee to negotiate a mutually acceptable boundary.

Technical teams from Accra and Lomé held multiple rounds of discussions and exchanges. However, these rounds failed to produce agreement because the parties differed on delimitation methodology, baseline coordinates, and interpretation of nautical data. Togo also raised concerns about the presence of Ghanaian naval vessels in the contested area during negotiations.

In 2021, Ghana proposed a formal demarcation line, but Togo rejected the proposal, and neither side could bridge the substantive differences.

After eight years of bilateral negotiations without achieving a settlement, the Government of Ghana notified Togo in February 2026 of its decision to pursue international arbitration under UNCLOS to secure a legally binding delimitation of the contested maritime boundary.

Legal Context of the Dispute

This dispute is governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which establishes the legal framework for the delimitation of maritime boundaries between states with adjacent or opposite coasts, as set out in Articles 74 and 83.

Article 74 requires states with overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZs) to reach an equitable solution through agreement, taking into account relevant circumstances. Similarly, Article 83 requires states with overlapping continental shelf claims to cooperate to achieve equitable boundary delimitation and provides that, if negotiations fail, parties may resort to conciliation, arbitration, or adjudication under Part XV of UNCLOS.

Ghana’s prior case with Côte d’Ivoire, in which arbitration before a Special Chamber of ITLOS from 2014 to 2017 resulted in a binding delimitation of the maritime boundary, demonstrates the procedural and legal precedent for seeking a binding resolution through international adjudication rather than unilateral measures.

Globally, the move resonates with the maritime governance principles of the High Seas Treaty, or Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, which entered into force on January 17, 2026. It emphasizes the orderly management of marine resources and transboundary cooperation. Though the disputed waters lie within EEZs, arbitration ensures clarity of jurisdiction and predictable governance.

Regionally, the African Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development in Africa (Lomé Charter), adopted by the African Union in October 2016, provides guidance to AU member states on resolving maritime disputes peacefully, promoting security, and ensuring sustainable and equitable use of offshore resources.

By seeking arbitration, Ghana demonstrates adherence to these continental norms, signalling its commitment to rules-based dispute resolution and regional cooperation.

Economically, the arbitration aligns with Ghana’s Blue Economy strategy, which emphasises the sustainable exploitation of ocean resources, including fisheries, hydrocarbons, and shipping lanes.

Clear boundary delimitation provides legal certainty for investors, enhances resource management, reduces the risk of conflict, and supports long-term national development planning.

Through arbitration, Ghana seeks not only a legal resolution but also a framework for long-term cooperation, resource security, and rule-based governance, consistent with both regional expectations and international maritime law principles.

Current Arbitration Process and Legal Mechanism

The ITLOS arbitration process requires Ghana and Togo to submit legal, technical, and historical evidence, including hydrographic surveys and historical documentation.

Ghana’s recourse to ITLOS aligns with:

• Article 286 – allowing arbitration if negotiations fail.
• Article 288 – confirming tribunal awards are final and binding.
• Articles 74 & 83 – guiding equitable delimitation of EEZs and continental shelves.
• Article 15 – ensuring the equidistance principle for adjacent coasts.

Beyond the legal framework provided by UNCLOS, Ghana’s ability to present a coherent and technically sound case rests significantly on the work of the Ghana Boundary Commission.

Institutional Backbone: The Ghana Boundary Commission

Established under the Ghana Boundary Commission Act, 2010 (Act 798), and hosted under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC) serves as the principal national authority responsible for the delimitation, demarcation, and management of Ghana’s land and maritime boundaries.

In the present dispute, the Commission provides the technical and evidentiary backbone for Ghana’s recourse to arbitration under UNCLOS Articles 15, 74, 83, 286, and 288. It undertakes hydrographic and geodetic surveys, prepares official maritime charts and coordinates, and develops equidistance lines consistent with international law. These technical outputs form the foundation of Ghana’s legal submissions before an arbitral tribunal.

Why This Matters: Oil and Gas, Fisheries, and Economic Stability

Maritime boundaries are not abstract legal lines; they determine real economic rights.

The waters in question are believed to contain offshore oil and gas deposits and valuable fisheries. A clearly defined boundary, therefore, determines:

• Which country can explore and extract hydrocarbons,
• Who regulates fishing activities,
• Who licenses offshore operations, and
• Who collects revenues.

Without delimitation, uncertainty persists. Investors hesitate. Regulatory enforcement becomes complicated. Diplomatic friction increases.

Implications of the Arbitration Process for Ghana

Economic Diplomacy

Ghana’s maritime arbitration represents strategic economic diplomacy, demonstrating the country’s ability to protect national interests through legal frameworks while maintaining cordial relations with neighbouring states, especially Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.

The arbitration also serves as a signal to investors and regional partners that disputes are managed in a predictable, transparent, and legal manner, thereby enhancing confidence in offshore investment opportunities.

Furthermore, economic diplomacy also provides leverage for joint development agreements and investment treaties, fostering sustainable exploitation of oil, gas, and fisheries while ensuring compliance with international and continental legal frameworks.

This reinforces Ghana’s maritime credibility, strengthens its bilateral and regional diplomatic relationships, and establishes a template for responsible maritime governance in Africa.

Regional Integration

The arbitration process contributes to broader West African and African Union objectives for regional integration. Peaceful dispute resolution through ITLOS demonstrates that legal mechanisms can support institutional coordination, cross-border resource management, and collective maritime security.

Clear boundaries facilitate joint monitoring, coordinated fisheries enforcement, and maritime safety operations, enhancing cooperation among AU member states.

The Lomé Charter positions regional integration as a core strategy for maritime governance. Articles 30, 32, 34, and 37 of the Charter mandate cooperation in resource exploitation, crime prevention, intelligence sharing, and structural alignment with Regional Economic Communities, reinforcing collective approaches over purely national strategies.

Arbitration also promotes a predictable legal environment, which is essential for cross-border trade, shipping, and investment, thereby supporting regional stability.

Conclusion

Ghana’s referral of the maritime dispute to ITLOS exemplifies the effective use of international law to resolve complex maritime conflicts. By invoking UNCLOS arbitration (Articles 15, 74, 83, 286, 288) and aligning with the Lomé Charter, Ghana ensures a rules-based, impartial, and legally binding outcome, while reinforcing regional cooperation.

Author: Dr Samuel Dotse, Chief Executive Officer, HATOF Foundation, Former Deputy Presiding Officer, AU ECOSOCC

Accra, Ghana -17^th February 2026: HATOF Foundation participated in a national stakeholder engagement workshop convened by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) to review Ghana’s draft Seventh National Report (7NR) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD).

Under the Convention, Parties are required to periodically submit National Reports outlining progress in implementing their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), including policy measures adopted, programmes implemented, results achieved, and persisting gaps. The current reporting cycle is aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which establishes 23 global targets to be achieved by 2030. These targets span ecosystem restoration, species conservation, pollution reduction, sustainable use, and resource mobilization. National Reports contribute to global monitoring, peer learning, and accountability, and inform deliberations at the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP).

The workshop specifically provided a platform for civil society organizations, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), as non-state actors, to validate and input biodiversity-related interventions into the national reporting template. Emphasis was placed on linking field-level initiatives to relevant KMGBF targets, identifying financing sources, providing verifiable references, and ensuring coherence with Ghana’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

Representing HATOF, Biodiversity Policy and Programmes Officer, Ms. Nyuiemedi participated, and ensured that HATOF’s programme and policy interventions were accurately reflected in the report and properly aligned with applicable targets under the KMGBF, strengthening the evidence base of Ghana’s submission.

HATOF remains committed to supporting the implementation of Ghana’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and engaging constructively in national and global biodiversity governance processes.

Among the world’s most productive ecosystems are wetlands, which support exceptionally high concentrations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrate species.

To better contextualize their importance, it is essential to understand what wetlands are. According to Article 1.1 of the Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention (1971), wetlands are defined as:
“areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.”

For the purposes of protecting sites adjacent to wetlands, Article 2.1 of the Convention further clarifies that wetland: “may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands.”

While the Convention has classified wetlands into 42 types, five major wetland types are generally recognized:

• Marine (coastal wetlands including coastal lagoons, rocky shores, and coral reefs);
• Estuarine (including deltas, tidal marshes, and mangrove swamps);
• Lacustrine (wetlands associated with lakes);
• Riverine (wetlands along rivers and streams); and
• Palustrine (meaning “marshy,” including marshes, swamps, and bogs).

These classifications are further grouped under three broad categories: Marine and Coastal Wetlands, Inland Wetlands, and Human-made Wetlands. Human-made wetlands include fish and shrimp ponds, farm ponds, irrigated agricultural land, salt pans, reservoirs, gravel pits, sewage farms, and canals.

From this definition and classification, wetlands are recognized as critical ecosystems that support biodiversity, regulate water systems, mitigate flooding, and purify water, while also providing significant socio-economic benefits, including livelihoods, natural resources, food production, and domestic water supply.

Ghana became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1988, reflecting a longstanding commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Through the d esignationof six Ramsar sites – the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Complex, Densu Delta, Muni–Pomadze, Sakumo, Songor, and the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary–covering a total surface area of 205,162 hectares, the Government of Ghana has sought to conserve biodiversity, protect livelihoods, and integrate wetlands into national development strategies.

The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, working in collaboration with local authorities, traditional institutions, civil society organizations, and research bodies, has advanced the management of these sites through legal frameworks, community-based approaches, and public education programmes, including World Wetlands Day celebrations.

Implementation of these measures also aligns with Ghana’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

The Case for the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Complex
The Keta Lagoon, Ghana’s largest lagoon system, is of exceptional ecological, socio-cultural, and economic significance.

It spans approximately 120 km² and supports over 200 fish species, including economically important species such as tilapia, bonga, and mullet. The lagoon sustains the livelihoods of an estimated 50,000 people, primarily from the Anlo State and surrounding communities, who rely on artisanal fishing, salt production, and agriculture.

Beyond food security, the lagoon acts as a natural buffer against coastal erosion, and yet the system is losing an estimated 30–40 meters of shoreline per year due to sea-level rise, sediment disruption, and sand mining.

The lagoon is also critical for biodiversity, hosting migratory waterbirds along the East Atlantic Flyway, wetland vegetation that stabilizes soils, and habitats for endemic species. Its sustainable management is therefore central to Ghana’s blue economy, supporting fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism, while advancing ecosystem-based climate adaptation.

Despite its Ramsar designation, Keta Lagoon faces growing threats from pollution, hydrological changes, and unsustainable land use. Strengthening the lagoon’s protection requires science-based monitoring, restoration programs, and community co-management, recognizing the Anlo people’s traditional stewardship. Doing so aligns directly with Ghana’s Ramsar obligations, the CBD’s global biodiversity target 2, and national strategies for climate resilience and sustainable development.

HATOF Foundation, therefore, calls for increased investment in the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Complex as a national and regional priority, ensuring that biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the blue economy are safeguarded for present and future generations.