27th August 2008

The West African state of Ghana has declared, August 13th, that it is to submit a claim to extend the limit of its continental shelf beyond the 200 mile limit.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states have defined areas of ocean which they are allowed to use for economic purposes. The aim of UNCLOS is to prevent conflict between states over oceanic resources such as fish/mineral resources/oil.

In general cases, countries are designated approximately 200 nautical miles offshore, Ghana (most entities, companies, countries etc, are singular entities not plural), however is seeking to extend its maritime rights under UNCLOS in order to gain access to a further 150 miles offshore.

If successful, this will mean exclusive access to the resources within the extended 350 mile zone, which, it hopes, will provide economic benefit to both current and to future generations.

The Ghanaian government said its project to extend its continental shelf entitlement began following the findings of the International Seabed Authority Report of 2000. Esther Obeng Dapaah, the Lands, Forestry and Mines Minister has stated that the report indicated that through extending their offshore rights, Ghana would be able to access not only to potentially eight billion barrels of oil, but also to a wealth of mineral resources and a source of hydrocarbon.

Ghana is still in the process of considering whether to carry out a joint submission or a coordinated submission with Nigeria.