President John Mahama has called for continued dialogue among the leaders of the Sahel states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following their withdrawal from the organisation.

Describing the decision to withdraw as "regrettable", he emphasised the need for ongoing engagement, stating: "Continuous engagement must be our lodestar. We must respond not with isolation or recrimination, but with understanding, dialogue, and a willingness to engage."

He made these remarks during the launch of ECOWAS's 50th anniversary celebrations in Accra on Tuesday, 22 April.

As part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Sahelian states, he reaffirmed Ghana's commitment, stating, "Ghana has appointed a special envoy to initiate high-level conversations with the Alliance of Sahel States."

"I have personally led missions to foster trust, rebuild communication channels, and affirm our shared aspirations," he emphasised.

The Sahel region encompasses several countries in West and Central Africa, they include Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad.

Recently, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have left the ECOWAS.