Ghana, Argentina end dispute over 'seized' ship

Argentina and Ghana, on Friday 27 September 2013 signed a settlement agreement at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, in The Hague, The Netherlands bringing to an end a year –long dispute between the two countries.

That dispute arose over the High Court’s order in October 2012 to arrest and detain the Argentine warship ARA Libertad while on a goodwill visit to the Port of Tema. The agreement was concluded against the backdrop of a recent Supreme Court decision that the seizure of the warship was a violation of the immunity it enjoys under customary international law.

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Hon Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah -Opong led Ghana’s delegation to sign the agreement with her counterparts from Argentina. This is the outcome of months of negotiations involving the Attorney General’s Department, the Foreign Ministry as well as the Office of the President.

Under the amicable settlement, Argentina has agreed to discontinue the arbitration it initiated and has dropped all financial claims against Ghana.

Amicable settlement of the dispute provides the opportunity for Ghana and Argentina to strengthen their existing friendship and bilateral cooperation in various fields including agriculture, science and technology, defence and maritime affairs.

The official Signing Ceremony was presided over by H.E Judge Bruno Simma, the President of the Arbitral Tribunal and also present were representatives of the Permanent Court of arbitration.