ECOWAS Chairperson and Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a strong signal to defeated Gambia President, Yahya Jammeh to respect the will of his people.

Speaking at the Saturday inauguration ceremony of Ghana's President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, she said the sub-regional body stands with the people of Gambia in the area of peace and security.

Power transfer in The Gambia has delayed following the refusal of incumbent President Jammeh to step down after he was defeated by his opponent Adama Barrown in the country's presidential poll.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo taking the oath of office

Mr Jammeh had initially conceded to his opponent in a widely circulated video, but declined to hand-over two days later, citing some irregularities he claimed were committed during the voting process.

He said: "After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election. I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process."

ECOWAS sent a delegation led by Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari to The Gambia to engage the incumbent President and the President-elect. Former Ghanaian President, John Mahama was part of the team.

After discussions, Mr Jammeh was advised to use the legitimate process to have his claims addressed.

Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS heads of state, President Johnson Sirleaf announced Mr Jammeh "has forwarded his grievances to the Supreme Court for review."

She promised the sub-regional body would keenly be monitoring developments in the country to ensure that the rights of citizens are not abused.

President Johnson Sirleaf urged President Akufo-Addo to follow the "interest of Ghana" by insisting the right thing for the people of the region.