President John Dramani Mahama has returned from a one-day working visit to La Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana's immediate neighbour to the west, for a bilateral meeting with his Ivorian counterpart, President Alassane Ouattara. 

The visit, part of President Mahama’s efforts to consolidate Ghana’s relations with its ECOWAS neighbours, saw the two leaders discuss issues of regional security, particularly the Alliance of Sahel States, improving cocoa production, and combating illegal mining (galamsey). 

President Ouattara commended Mr Mahama for establishing channels of dialogue with the Sahel states, noting that it would facilitate the reconciliation of the three Sahelian countries with ECOWAS. 

The two leaders recognised their countries' significant contribution to the global cocoa market, which accounts for approximately 80% of worldwide production. They discussed strategies to enhance global pricing and value addition in the cocoa sector. 

Acknowledging many waterways and tributaries cross both countries, the presidents noted the severe consequences galamsey had inflicted on their respective environments.