The visit was part of President Mahama’s efforts to consolidate the country’s relations with its ECOWAS neighbours.

The President was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; the Special Envoy to the Alliance of sahelian states, Col Larry Gbevlo-Lartey; the Legal Counsel to the President, Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew; the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, and the Adviser and Special Aide to the President, Joyce Bawa Mogtari.

The two leaders discussed issues on regional security, particularly the Alliance of sahel states, improving cocoa production, and combating illegal mining.

President Ouattara commended Mr Mahama for establishing channels of dialogue with the Sahel states, and said that it would facilitate the reconciliation of the three sahelian countries.

The leaders also recognised their countries' significant contribution to the global cocoa market, which accounts for approximately 80 per cent of worldwide production.

They discussed strategies to enhance global pricing and value addition in the cocoa sector.

Acknowledging that there were some waterways and tributaries that crossed into both countries, the Presidents expressed concern over the severe consequences illegal mining (galamsey) activities had inflicted on their respective environments.