By Hannah Dadzie
Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to shaping the future of international investment law and dispute resolution by making a strong case to host the Advisory Center on International Investment Law in Accra.
At a three-day UNCITRAL Working Group III meeting in Accra, Ambassador Ramses Joseph Cleland, Chief Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke on behalf of Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. He stressed the need to strengthen Africa’s stance on investment dispute reforms to align with the AfCFTA protocol on investment
He called for stronger collaboration among African nations to create a more equitable investment environment.
The three-day meeting serves as a platform for discussions between African nations and international partners on enhancing dispute resolution mechanisms in cross-border investments.
Investor State Dispute Settlement reform remains a critical issue as countries seek to balance investor rights with state sovereignty and sustainable development goals.
Participants, including government officials, legal experts, trade negotiators, and representatives from multilateral organisations, are deliberating on strategies to improve transparency, efficiency, and fairness in ISDS frameworks.
A key highlight of the meeting was Ghana’s formal bid to host the Advisory Center on International Investment Law, which aims to strengthen the legal and technical capacity of African nations in handling investment disputes.
On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Chief Director at the Ministry, Ambassador Ramses Cleland, urged global partners, including the AU, UNCITRAL, AfCFTA, and others, to support Ghana’s bid and emphasized the need for a unified approach to safeguard African sovereignty while addressing investor interests.
“The center would bridge the gap between developed and developing nations in resolving investment disputes and would also provide legal and technical expertise to enhance Africa’s dispute resolution framework,” said Ambassador Cleland.
“As you all know, Ghana has long been an active and committed participant in the deliberations of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), advocating for a balanced and transparent international investment dispute system,” he stated.
Ambassador Cleland said hosting the advisory centre will bring multiple benefits, including strengthening the capacity of African nations to navigate complex international investment disputes, reducing costly arbitration expenses, and ensuring fair outcomes for governments.
“As we embark on these deliberations, let us work together with a shared vision for Africa’s future. Let us continue to advocate for reforms that serve our collective interests, foster unity, and create a dispute resolution framework that upholds justice, equity, sustainability, and economic development,” Ambassador Cleland added.
UNCITRAL Secretary Anna Joubin-Bret highlighted the importance of a robust and development-focused ISDS system for Africa.
“It’s a very important reform that has started some time ago, and within the United Nations, UNCITRAL, the secretariat that I work for, we’ve embarked on the reform of dispute resolution, part of the entire framework to promote and protect foreign investments. We’re here to discuss with African countries as a group and speaking from one voice the priorities for Africa in the reform of Investor-State Dispute System,” Madam Joubin-Bret indicated.
The Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations (Vienna), Ambassador Matilda Aku Alomatu Osei-Agyeman, highlighted the importance of securing a fair, balanced, and efficient dispute resolution framework that fosters investor confidence while protecting African states’ regulatory autonomy.
Ambassador Osei-Agyeman also commended the UNCITRAL Secretariat, the African Group representatives, and other key partners for their unwavering commitment to this reform process, saying that the initiative aims to provide crucial legal and technical support to African nations, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle ISDS cases.
She urged participants to actively engage in discussions, share insights, and contribute to strengthening Africa’s position on the global stage.
The Secretary General of the AfCFTA, Wamkele Mene, in a statement read on his behalf, said the meeting is a crucial step in consolidating Africa’s voice and advancing the interests at the UNCITRAL, ensuring that the ongoing reform process aligns with aspirations of the AfCFTA protocol on investment.
“Our objectives are very clear, we must harmonise our position on key negotiation issues, mainly procedural and cross-cutting matters,” he added.
Discussions from the meeting are expected to contribute to a more predictable, fair, and development-oriented dispute resolution framework for the continent.
