The government of Ghana has described the capture of the Ivorian beleaguered president Laurent Gbagbo as a “welcome relief” but maintains the slaughtering of human beings was avoidable. Foreign Minister Mohammed Mumuni told Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoh Gbagbo’s capture should mark an end to the bloodletting and the long suffering of many Ivorians. Gbagbo was smoked out of his bunker in the presidential palace on Monday and handed over to the rebel forces. He is now in the custody of the UN backed President Alassane Ouattara at the Gulf Hotel. This was after months of belligerence by Gbagbo and weeks of shelling, killing and armed conflicts by government forces loyal to Gbagbo and rebel forces loyal to Ouattara. Over 800 people are believed to have died from the battle with an estimated million more fleeing the country as refugees. Mohammed Mumuni said Gbagbo’s capture should be good signal for his loyal forces to know the end is nigh. Asked if the arrest of Laurent Gbagbo vindicated the ECOWAS position on the use of military force - a position the Ghana government objected to - Mohammed Mumuni maintains diplomacy should still have been the option. He said the needless loss of human lives and the unfortunate refugee situation created as a result of the conflict would have been avoided if diplomacy had been explored to the letter. He said the capture came at a higher cost to human life which could have been avoided. Alhaji Mumuni however cautioned Alassane Ouattara to handle his adversary with dignity and respect. He said given the results of the disputed elections, Laurent Gbagbo still has a groundswell of support and must be treated with care to ensure national stability and cohesion. He pledged Ghana’s continued support to restore Ivory Coast back to stability. Meanwhile, the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) told Joy News the sub region has been assured of Gbagbo’s right to self dignity and respect. James Victor Gbeho maintained Ouattara has guaranteed Gbagbo’s protection, insisting, ECOWAS is convinced the ousted ‘hang-on’ president will be treated well. It is not clear what action will be taken against Laurent Gbagbo. Mr Gbeho however explained the ECOWAS cannot be blamed for the bit part role it played in the Ivorian crisis because it lacked the military accoutrement used by the French Forces in the capture of Gbagbo. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana