Feature Article by Nana Akyea Mensah, The Odikro.
The news, this Friday, 07 May 2010, Cote d'Ivoire Marks 50 Yrs, by Daily Guide), which contains the hope that Ghana and La Côte d'Ivoire, our immediate neighbour to the west, are doing everything possible to maintain very cordial relations is most welcome indeed. Not long ago, it was even feared that the two sister nations could be going to war over their dispute over their sea-border which incidentally is rich with high-quality crude, light and low in sulphur, easily processed into gasoline.. otherwise known as the black gold. I thus read with a certain sense of pride in the Africans' ability to reason for themselves and opt for peace and friendship rather than conflicts and wars!
Not long ago, I read article after article, the dismal prognosis of the "curse" of the oil on the peace and stability of the state. One such pertinent point that kept me worried was raised by Mr Brown Guure:
"Reports that our western neighbour Ivory Coast is said to have laid claims before the UN to portions of our oil find in the deep waters of the Western Region is worrisome to every Ghanaian everywhere. That our government is now rushing a bill through parliament to establish the Ghana Boundary Commission to undertake negotiations with the Ivory Coast to determine and demarcate Ghana’s land boundaries and de-limit Ghana’s maritime boundaries, even more worrying. Indeed it is an intriguing paradox that given all the frenetic activity of government, policy initiatives, draft bills and large-scale symposiums and seminars on ‘oil and gas’ since mid 2007, the prospects of a neighbour claiming parts of our continental shelf, and for that matter securing the oil fields has never been considered. That government is surprised by the Ivoirians’ move is itself surprising therefore. This is a classic failure by our intelligence services and like the Japanese attack on the United States of America in 1941, this may well turn out to be our ‘Pearl Harbour’" (See: "The Ivoirians’ Claim: A Classic Case Of Intelligence Failure.", by Guure, Brown, Ghanaweb Feature Article of Friday, 12 March 2010.)
So the news that, "As part of activities to commemorate 50 years of independence of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, its embassy in Accra has outlined a series of activities to mark the occasion." The story began and added, "Some of the activities outlined include a flag-raising ceremony, a joint Côte d'Ivoire/Ghana Industrial Trade Fair, a forum on sustainable cocoa economy, investment conference as well as a musical concert where international artistes from both countries would perform..." (See Cote d'Ivoire Marks 50 Yrs, By Daily Guide - Daily Guide) is certainly welcome!
However, I definitely know a Ghanaian who is not happy for the simple reason that all appears to be well between Ghana and La Côte d'Ivoire! I shall allow Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr., Ph.D., Associate Professor of English, Journalism and Creative Writing at Nassau Community College of the State University of New York, Garden City, a Governing Board Member of the Accra-based "STRICTLY" Danquah Institute ("S" DI), the "pathetically pro-Western" unthinking tank, and the author of a series of crazy feature articles and 21 of the most stupid books on Africa and about Africans since Jacobus Capiteine (AD 1747), including “Ghanaian Politics Today” (Atumpan Publications/Lulu.com, 2008), to speak for himself on such a delicate matter.
Okoampa begins an article surreptitiously titled "Who Are These “Parliamentarian Drivers”? with a shocker: "I am glad that, finally, the Ivorians are beginning to assert their right of access and enjoyment of Ghana’s purportedly new-found oil wealth... It also didn’t quite make a lot of sense to me that an oil find that lay so dangerously close to Ghana’s border with Côte d’Ivoire would also have been so [godlessly] uncharitable as to neatly parcel itself out for the exclusive benefit and enjoyment of Ghanaians while the war-seasoned Ivorians continued to languish in penury." - "Who Are These “Parliamentarian Drivers”? By Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr., Ph.D., Feature Article of Tuesday, 16 March 2010.
Okoampa continues:
"What is also wickedly fascinating is the sudden fit of alarm that seems to have gripped the hitherto light-headed Ghanaians. All of an auspicious sudden, it is beginning to home-in to these soft-headed, happy-go-lucky and good-natured “Niggers” that premature gloating over a pure gift of nature may yet turn out to be too good to be true. It was also rather fitfully amusing that some Ghanaians should already begin to be angrily chary of the Ivorians; and, indeed, the irony of it all is that these “Angernistas” are largely what one may aptly term as diehard “Nkrumacrats,” the fanatical disciples of modern Ghana’s first postcolonial premier. Dear reader, by now, it ought to be obvious to you what “Sremu Sei Nana” (The King of the Savannah’s Grandson) is getting at. And, of course, it is the stark fact that where “Black Gold” is concerned, pan-Africanism is only the dream of a hopeless lunatic."
As I wrote in a previous article, "Okoampa continues by making demeaning remarks about his fellow countrymen. To use such language indicates comtempt for Ghanaian men and women. Why would any Ghanaian who consider his country's vital interests so dispensable, still present himself as a member of a "Think Tank" and expect respect from his fellow Ghanaians? What does it mean if this man presents Nana Akufo Addo as his favourite candidate, and Akufo Addo approves of this association with him? Is Akuffo Addo telling us that the Danquah Institute "think tank" is fast becoming nothing but a nest of politically virulent and toxic ideas contempt for the Ghanaian people?" (See: Is It Not Time For Akuffo Addo To Distance Himself From The Danquah Institute Altogether?).
In fact, I was taken aback so much so that I forgot about the author and began to wonder and wander about what would make a fellow human being hate his own people to such an extent that such a scenario of war with what he calls "the war-seasoned Ivorians"? I read this thinly-veiled wish for a war over oil between Ghana and the Ivory Coast over our precious black gold several times, but I could not put my finger at the source of his anger and hatred. Out of frustration, I turned out to his main US collaborator, a self-appointed voice of "Black Conservatives" who faithfully transmits each nonsense from Okoampa on his blog for Americans to consume, to see if they at least, he offered any explanations to this strange behaviour. I was not disappointed. The answer was in the introductory sentence:
"Oil Reserves Have Been Discovered Offshore In Ghana. What Next? Bookerista Perspectives
The Ivory Coast is claiming a portion of Ghana's offshore oil region. The center-right board member of the Danquah Institute (Ghana) and English professor in USA is glad that the Ivory Coast is making a claim because it undermines the Ghanaian center-left's claims of Pan-Africanism: "I am glad that, finally, the Ivorians are beginning to assert their right of access and enjoyment of Ghana's purportedly new-found oil wealth. Perusing [center-left] President John Mills' second and latest 'State of the Nation Address' the other day, I couldn't help but wonder aloud why Ghanaians seem to be so morbidly afflicted with this kind of hysteria whereby the mere announcement of a potential windfall is deafeningly celebrated even while such 'natural' largesse squarely remains on the prospector's drawing board..." (emphasis mine, of course). (Source: see: Bookerising.net, news site for black moderates and black conservatives.)
I have already dealt with him squarely here, so I shall now focus my attention on helping to consolidate the peace that is now reigning between Ghana and La Côte d'Ivoire. The second part of the article is therefore to ask both governments to focus more on the substance than the form. We need a clear border agreement, which we still do not have. As a South African friend of mine once said: "Trust is good, but control is necessary!" I do not see much use of these pomp and pageantry which dissipate into petty squabbles that only make our enemies happy. We must not forget that before the La Côte d'Ivoire fêted the U-20 Black Satellites, with a flamboyant presidential reception at the Ivorian capital for winning the World Cup to harness positive public opinion before they petitioned the United Nations to intervene without even any attempt to first sort it out as brothers and sisters among ourselves first and foremost and in a most amicable of manners possible.
I salute President Atta-Mills for his diplomatic dexterity to steer our Ivorian friends into a negotiating table to settle this question once and for all. We must not forget that the Ivorians could have done that in the first place, rather than going straight to the United Nations. My own bad experience from the other fanfair and nightmarish dreams of all hell breaking loose at our western frontiers just because of oil and the stupid laughter of Kwame Okoampa in the background makes me leave no stone unturned here in my search for a peaceful, durable, clear, just, stable and friendly frontier with our Ivorian neighbours. If they are really serious, I would like to see the final agreement to seal a real deal of friendship, peace and love between brothers and sisters.
La Côte d'Ivoire is celebrating the golden jubilee come August 7th, 2010. This is Friday the seventh day of May. We have exactly three good months ahead of us to seal a deal before the celebrations begin! I want to see all this political goodwill expressed clearly and transparently in a deal within these three months! Whilst all well-meaning Ivorians and Ghanaians must join in this spirit of camaraderie we must all insist on concrete issues before the fanfares, and no dilly-dallying to fob off our disgrace with a tale! O sons and daughters of Africa, Arise for PEACE!!! What is wrong with the intentions of the Pan-Africanists? Listen to Nkrumah here and judge for yourself, dear reader:
“We in Africa who are pressing now for unity are deeply conscious of the validity of our purpose. We need the strength of our combined numbers and resources to protect ourselves from the very positive dangers of returning to colonialism in disguised forms. We need it to combat the entrenched forces dividing our continent and still holding back millions of our brothers. We need it to secure total African liberation. We need it to carry forward our construction of a socio-economic system that will support the great mass of our steadily rising population at levels of life which will compare with those in the most advanced countries” - Kwame Nkrumah, "Africa Must Unite!", 1960.
Forward Ever! Backwards Never!!! Cheers! – Nana Akyea Mensah, The Odikro
(For further information and follow-ups, I invite the interested reader to my blog. I tweet some of my comments on facebook and on twitter. If you agree or disagree with me, you may follow my thinking and reactions in a more comprehensive manner by coming to theodikro.blogspot.com. I keep most of my comments in one place.
You may leave comments directly at:
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
BREAKING NEWS: AN OPEN INVITATION TO KWAME OKOAMPA AHOOFE JR.!
BREAKING NEWS! OKOAMPA INVITED TO DEFEND HIMSELF!Cote d'Ivoire Marks 50 Yrs
By Daily Guide - Daily GuideAs part of activities to commemorate 50 years of independence of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, its embassy in Accra has outlined a series of activities to mark the occasion.
Cote d' Ivoire, known as the Ivory Coast, which borders Ghana on the west, gained independence from its colonial masters, France on August 7, 1960, and would chalk 50 on August 7.
Some of the activities outlined include a flag-raising ceremony, a joint Cote d'Ivoire/Ghana Industrial Trade Fair, a forum on sustainable cocoa economy, investment conference as well as a musical concert where international artistes from both countries would perform.
Cote d'Ivoire, together with Ghana, produces 60 per cent of the world's cocoa and aside that, the francophone country is the world's leading producer of rubber and the second leading producer of cashew nut.
Launching the programme of activities at a well-attended ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, Emmanuel Auguste Ackah, Cote d'Ivoire Ambassador to Ghana, said his country, formerly known for its peace and stability, had gone through military and political crisis but following the Ouagadougou Political Agreement under the initiative of President Laurent Gbagbo, “this conflict, which can be traced deep back into history, is now behind us.”
He said the socio-political upheaval thwarted their effort to build a prosperous nation, adding “we have put the past behind us and we are moving towards an ideal economic development.”
Ambassador Ackah said the people of Cote d'Ivoire have now resolved to support one another to make their country grow, saying “the investment opportunities that abound in my country are enormous.”
He stressed the need for a strengthened partnership between his country and Ghana, commending the government of Ghana and the Ghana COCOBOD for their support for the government and people of Cote d'Ivoire.
He said “President Gbagbo and President Mills are focusing on the historic, cultural, economic and agricultural similarities we have as nieghbours and these similarities make is duty bound for us to work hand in hand to boost our economies and promote sub-regional integration by serving as role models”.
Seth Adjei-Baah, Member of Parliament for Nkawkaw and Vice President of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce, who was the guest of honour, noted that although the two countries' economies depend hugely on agriculture, there was little to show in terms of trade and commerce between them.
“There are numerous products that the two countries could trade in to bring prosperity to their people but we prefer exporting our products to Europe where we help them to create their wealth.”
He said, “If we are able to trade among ourselves as Africans, we shall be able to retain money in our respective countries for accelerated development. With strong political will, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire should be able to bring economic integration in the sub-region.”
Is It Not Time For Akuffo Addo To Distance Himself From The Danquah Institute?
Ghanaweb Feature Article of Tuesday, 30 March 2010, Columnist: Mensah, Nana Akyea
A Rejoinder to : "Who Are These “Parliamentarian Drivers”? By Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr., Ph.D., Feature Article of Tuesday, 16 March 2010Okoampa begins an article surreptitiously titled "Who Are These “Parliamentarian Drivers”? with a shocker:
"I am glad that, finally, the Ivorians are beginning to assert their right of access and enjoyment of Ghana’s purportedly new-found oil wealth... It also didn’t quite make a lot of sense to me that an oil find that lay so dangerously close to Ghana’s border with Côte d’Ivoire would also have been so godlessly uncharitable as to neatly parcel itself out for the exclusive benefit and enjoyment of Ghanaians while the war-seasoned Ivorians continued to languish in penury." - "Who Are These “Parliamentarian Drivers”? By Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr., Ph.D., Feature Article of Tuesday, 16 March 2010.
Ghana’s Western neighbor Ivory Coast is reportedly laying claims to portions of the huge oil wealth in the deep waters of the Western Region.
There is no panic in Ghana! See map with Dzata oil field and Jubilee field off Cape Three Points Ghana (click to enlarge)
COMMENT:
Is It Not Time For Akuffo Addo To Distance Himself From The Danquah Institute Altogether?
Fellow Ghanaians, Our Ivorian brothers and sisters, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo, and other imperialist stooges at the Danquah Institute, fellow Africans, and friends of Africa, lend me your ears! What does this really mean? Is Okoampa trying to tell us that " Because Ghanaians did not vote the NPP to "manage" the oil, Ghanaians have lost their right to their own natural resource? That we can have that oil only when we vote the NPP into power? Will they then take the oil profits for themselves stashed in their offshore accounts? Is this the kind of democracy he thinks the NPP is offering? Is this why "NPP is the only Ghanaian Beacon of Democracy"? (See Ghanaweb archives, Feature Article of Monday, 8 March 2010, Columnist Okoampa-Ahoofe, Kwame )
Kwame Okoampa Ahoofe Jr., has won the notoriety of making the most nonsensical utterances which border on what may be called "suicidal stupidity", in "Kwame Okoampa Is A Charlatan!", (Feature Article | Wed, 15 Oct 2008, by Ali-Masmadi JEHU-APPIAH). This is not very new in itself. What is new is that this one stands out as a monumental piece of idiocy churned out by this political vulture and his squatter-owners! If I were Nana Akuffo Addo, I would quickly distance myself from this kind of monumental nonsense, which even by Okoampa's own standards, stands out as an eloquent anti-Ghanaian diatribe against the sovereign will of the people, a furious and unmerited savage blow against the respect for democratic governance and constitutional rule of a government elected by popular mandate.
Okoampa continues:
"What is also wickedly fascinating is the sudden fit of alarm that seems to have gripped the hitherto light-headed Ghanaians. All of an auspicious sudden, it is beginning to home-in to these soft-headed, happy-go-lucky and good-natured “Niggers” that premature gloating over a pure gift of nature may yet turn out to be too good to be true. It was also rather fitfully amusing that some Ghanaians should already begin to be angrily chary of the Ivorians; and, indeed, the irony of it all is that these “Angernistas” are largely what one may aptly term as diehard “Nkrumacrats,” the fanatical disciples of modern Ghana’s first postcolonial premier. Dear reader, by now, it ought to be obvious to you what “Sremu Sei Nana” (The King of the Savannah’s Grandson) is getting at. And, of course, it is the stark fact that where “Black Gold” is concerned, pan-Africanism is only the dream of a hopeless lunatic."
Okoampa continues by making demeaning remarks about his fellow countrymen. To use such language indicates comtempt for Ghanaian men and women. Why would any Ghanaian who consider his country's vital interests so dispensable, still present himself as a member of a "Think Tank" and expect respect from his fellow Ghanaians? What does it mean if this man presents Nana Akufo Addo as his favourite candidate, and Akufo Addo approves of this association with him? Is Akuffo Addo telling us that the Danquah Institute "think tank" is fast becoming nothing but a nest of politically virulent and toxic ideas contempt for the Ghanaian people?
I want to appeal to all Ghanaians from across the political spectrum to denounce this deeply insulting article. I specifically call upon Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo to consider these comments serious enough and accord the same attention and time for condemnation as he did to the recent assault by his body guards against the supporters of his political opponents at the party's headquarters! This political contagion can and must be contained immediately. Okoampa must be isolated politically. We should erect a political cordon sanitaire against him, strictly and voluntarily imposed by all proud and peace-loving Ghanaians. "The only place available for the purveyors of doom and damnation of Ghanaians is political quarantine. All those found to be associated with such an idiot, do so at their own political risk and peril!
It is time for all right-thinking Ghanaians irrespective of political hue, to distance themselves from the greed driven gamblers with our future and our destiny as a nation. Okoampa has already pointed out that Nana Akuffo Addo is his main man for the 2012 elections (see: "NPP Flagbearership: My Choice for Election 2012", by Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr., Ph.D., Feature Article, Wed, 03 Mar 2010. The question Nana Akuffo Addo needs to answer is, is Okoampa his man? I am sure it is not too much to ask of our potential future presidents< the simple question of how close they themselves stand in relation to extraordinarily toxic opinions of their very close associates, particularly one who expresses su flagrant and self-confessing hatred for a country we call home?
I was taken aback that I forgot aboot put the author and began to wonder about what would make a fellow human being hate his own people so much that he imagines a scenario of war with what he calls "the war-seasoned Ivorians"? This is a thinly-veiled wish for a war over oil between Ghana and the Ivory Coast. I could nut my finger at the source of his anger and hatred. Out of frustration, I turned to his main US collaborator, a self-appointed voice of "Black Conservatives" who faithfully transmits nonsense from Okoampa on his blog for Americans to consume, to see if he offered any explanations to this strange behaviour. I was not disappointed. The answer was in the introductory sentence:
"Oil Reserves Have Been Discovered Offshore In Ghana. What Next? Bookerista Perspectives
The Ivory Coast is claiming a portion of Ghana's offshore oil region. The center-right board member of the Danquah Institute (Ghana) and English professor in USA is glad that the Ivory Coast is making a claim because it undermines the Ghanaian center-left's claims of Pan-Africanism: "I am glad that, finally, the Ivorians are beginning to assert their right of access and enjoyment of Ghana's purportedly new-found oil wealth. (Source: see: Bookerising.net, news site for black moderates and black conservatives.)
Okoampa's problem with Ghana owning its own oil in peace is the presence of pan-Africanists in Ghana! What Pan-Africanism got to do with our precious oil? The objective of Pan-Africanism is to unite Africans and wean ourselves away from the neocolonialist cannons of conduct and behave as a free and independent people, consolidating our independence against imperialist sabotage such as the one he is scheming! Which normal African today can be angry with the noble intentions of great pan-Africanist leaders like Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to such an extent that this should cost Ghana's precious oil find? What is wrong with the intentions of the Pan-Africanists? Listen to Nkrumah here and judge for yourself, dear reader:
“We in Africa who are pressing now for unity are deeply conscious of the validity of our purpose. We need the strength of our combined numbers and resources to protect ourselves from the very positive dangers of returning to colonialism in disguised forms. We need it to combat the entrenched forces dividing our continent and still holding back millions of our brothers. We need it to secure total African liberation. We need it to carry forward our construction of a socio-economic system that will support the great mass of our steadily rising population at levels of life which will compare with those in the most advanced countries” - Kwame Nkrumah, "Africa Must Unite!", 1960.
I am even sure that Okoampa himself does not expect to treat Ghanaians this way and get away with it! He has already been dismissed before by the New York branch of the NPP for similar outrageous declarations calling for war in Ghana, in the lead up to the 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. He is used to being attacked for his aggressively stupid opinions even within his own party. The attempt by the Danquah Institute to bring Okoampa back from political ostracism begun by the New York branch of the NPP is a disservice to the good people of Ghana.
Ladies and gentlemen, we need a clear apology from Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr., the author of these abominations! It is time Ghanaians of all walks of life put maximum pressure on Nana Akuffo Addo to come out once more to condemn the work of his notorious henchman or go down with him! I call on ordinary Ghanaians, especially the rank and file of the NPP to join me in this condemnation and show the way Akuffo Addo to follow and condemn Okoampa's ill-considered words!
For further information and follow-ups, I invite the interested reader to my blog. I tweet some of my comments on facebook and on twitter. If you agree or disagree with me, you may follow my thinking and reactions in a more comprehensive manner by coming to theodikro.blogspot.com. I keep most of my comments in one place. You may leave comments directly at: theodikro.blogspot.com
Forward Ever! Backwards Never!!!
Cheers!
–
Nana Akyea Mensah, The Odikro.
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Comments: theodikro.blogs
The Ivoirians’ Claim: A Classic Case Of Intelligence Failure.
Feature Article of Friday, 12 March 2010
Columnist: Guure, Brown
INTELLIGENCE ANALYST AND BROADCASTERSmart.brown@googlemail.com
In a press briefing on the increasingly unstable situation in Afghanistan after the American led invasion in 2002 former American Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stated, “There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we now know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. These are things we do not know we don’t know.” As we ponder over the motives behind the Ivorian claim we should also ask, is this a case of known knowns or known unknowns or unknown unknowns? Reports that our western neighbour Ivory Coast is said to have laid claims before the UN to portions of our oil find in the deep waters of the Western Region is worrisome to every Ghanaian everywhere. That our government is now rushing a bill through parliament to establish the Ghana Boundary Commission to undertake negotiations with the Ivory Coast to determine and demarcate Ghana’s land boundaries and de-limit Ghana’s maritime boundaries, even more worrying. Indeed it is an intriguing paradox that given all the frenetic activity of government, policy initiatives, draft bills and large-scale symposiums and seminars on ‘oil and gas’ since mid 2007, the prospects of a neighbour claiming parts of our continental shelf, and for that matter securing the oil fields has never been considered. That government is surprised by the Ivoirians’ move is itself surprising therefore. This is a classic failure by our intelligence services and like the Japanese attack on the United States of America in 1941, this may well turn out to be our ‘Pearl Harbour’
Amidst this worrying state of affairs is the knowledge that though steps are being taken on the national level, nothing thus far has been done on the international front to register our displeasure of this illegitimate claim and our preparedness to safeguard this strategic national asset of ours, come what may. In international matters of this nature, time is of the essence.
We should have by now raced the amber flag too: that is, dispatched our navy to the disputed area, tabled a counter statement at the UN, summoned the Ivorian ambassador to the Jubilee House (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to explain the basis of their claim, and have the president address the nation stating the government’s measures to retain and protect the 200 nautical miles of our continental shelf and the oil wells. This would have sent a clear and unequivocal message to the Ivoirians that their decision is indeed a clear case of miscalculation as well as assure every Ghanaian everywhere of the security of the wells.
International relations is less about negotiations and more about games. Thus when the Ivoirians raced the red flag days after the United States operator Vanco struck oil in the deep-waters –Dzata well, it is not so they can negotiate for a share of our oil but so they may ‘win’ a share of it. Because in games there is often a winner and a looser whereas in negotiations it is not often certain as to the outcome.
Eventually when the Boundary Commission is in place and we subsequently sit on the table with the Ivoirians, we would both be engaging in completely different diplomatic activities: whilst we would be negotiating, they would be playing a game: one known as rational choice in international politics where all decisions, crazy or sane, are arrived at by a 'rational' process of weighing costs against benefits. It is important for our team to note that in rationalism, there are no connotations of normative behaviour. That is there are no ethical, moral, cultural, or religious considerations in the decision making process.
So whilst we would be negotiating “with our brothers and sisters”, the Ivoirians will simply be “playing” with a competitor. You don’t enter into a boxing ring “with our brothers and sisters” unless you are prepared to hit and hit hard enough to win otherwise you would have lost before the match begun. With the talk of “our brothers and sisters” being expounded by our authorities, the Ivoirians are already aware that Ghana is not prepared to hit hard and so the cost of engaging us is far less than they stand to gain. The only conceivable cost to the Ivoirians in this case is perhaps that of hosting our delegation and of cause the time they will spend on the “negotiating” table- a trillionth fraction of the benefits of an oil well.
Therefore, in the absence of a firm public statement from government except that “a national Boundaries Commission will be put in place that would engage our neighbours in La Cote d’Ivoire with a view of negotiating our maritime boundary between ourselves and our brothers in Ivory Coast” as was put forward by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister Collins Dauda is like passing a ball when indeed it is not in your interest to play the game. One simply protects what belongs to him or her not negotiate for it. The Dzata Well is over 200 kilometres away from Ghana’s maritime boundary with cote-d’Ivoire. A boundary though not clearly demarcated but nonetheless has been respected by both Ghana and Ivory Coast for years. In a sense therefore the Ivoirians do not have their eyes on the Dzata well but on the Jubilee field itself since it is about 60 kilometres away from Ivory Coast.
Hence the timing and the logic behind the Ivoirians claim prompts one that it is not a decision that was taken overnight but one that has been hatched and nursed for a long time, probably since the day we amateurishly made known to the world our oil discovery in the jubilee field.
Amateurish- because in other jurisdictions where the leaders have the nations’ interest at heart and not necessarily bent on awarding contracts, and consumed by the thought of enriching themselves would have intelligently put a lid on an ‘intelligence product’ such as an oil discovery in an area that is not clearly demarcated. This would have placed Ghana in a strategic position to negotiate the boundary quickly. Ivory Coast, who would not have had wind then of any oil potential in the area would be less motivated by the fish than they are of the oil. Admittedly, hindsight is not wisdom but second guessing sometimes provides the most valuable intelligence product. We should have at least guessed and guessed well! Amateurish- because in other jurisdictions where the intelligence services are highly professional in nature and in practice; intelligence services that are well resourced with qualified and well trained personnel on the collection, processing, analysis and dissemination of intelligence would have picked signals of this coming and advised government accordingly. It appears President Gbagbo’s visit last December was the grand finale of a chain of strategic measures put in place by the Ivoirians towards making this claim. First, they would have probably by now illegally shifted our land boundary coordinates, accessed our leadership and negotiating style, examined our economic and military might and concluded the process by giving the national U-20 team, Black Satellites, a presidential reception at the Ivorian capital for winning the World Cup to harness positive public opinion.
Whatever they may or may not have considered before making this hostile claim, we take solace in the fact that it is a case of ‘known knowns’- that is we now know the intentions of the Ivory Coast regarding our oil. But there are also “known unknowns”, which is what we must be weary of: that is there are things we must know that we don’t know- for example the intentions of our other neighbours, i.e. Togo and Benin. The efficacy of our assessment of and response to both their intentions presents the bridge between us and the “unknown unknowns” state of affairs. That is, not knowing that we don’t know. This is the worst case scenario in decision analysis and for policy initiatives and must be avoided at all cost.
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