Ghana and Ivory Coast must accept the judgement on the maritime dispute between the two countries which is currently a subject of legitimation at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ITLOS, President Nana Akufo-Addo has said.

He made the comments as he flew to Abidjan from Ouagadougou for talks with President Alassane Ouattara on illegal mining, cocoa production and maritime boundaries dispute.

READ MORE: Uphold Ghana’s position on boundary dispute with Cote d’Ivoire – Gloria Akuffo

“Whatever the result of that litigation, and, naturally, I hope it goes in favour of Ghana, I want to assure President Ouattara, his government and the Ivorian people of the determination of my government and I to work with you in a healthy manner of co-operation to deal with the consequences of the pending judgement,” said president Akufo-Addo.

What is of paramount importance to the populations of the two countries is the peaceful exploitation of the maritime resources for their benefit, he added.

Both countries have opened their oral submissions with  Ghana praying the special tribunal to uphold it's position on the maritime boundary dispute.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Ms Gloria Afua Akuffo said the request of Cote D’Ivoire should not be granted since there has been a long-standing agreement on their maritime boundary under their domestic laws.

Gloria Akufo argued that Ghana had only developed its oil industry based on a recognised pre-existing maritime boundary by the two countries.

READ MORE: We have no boundary maritime agreement with Ghana - Cote D’lvoire tells ITLOS

However, Cote D’Ivoire argued that they never had an agreement with Ghana on the maritime border for both countries.

The Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy for Cote D’Ivoire and Head of the country’s delegation at the ITLOS, Adama Toungara said his country for decades have always asked that this issue is resolved but there was never an agreement.