Ghana’s President has described the exit of the three Sahelian countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a temporary setback.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are set to exit the sub regional body January 29 2025, a year after the countries announced their intentions to leave.

They however will have a six-month grace period following their exit within which the bloc hopes to use to convince the countries to return.

John Mahama is urging the maintenance of strong ties with the three countries  and expressing hope for a resolution to restore the bloc’s unity.

On January 15, 2025, Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga arrived in Accra for an official visit, carrying a special message from Mali’s transitional President and Head of State, General Asimi Goïta.

The visit aimed to engage in high-level talks with President John Dramani Mahama, focusing on strengthening bilateral agreements between Ghana and Mali. Discussions were expected to address key areas of mutual interest, including trade, security, and regional cooperation.

Speaking to the media after their meeting on Thursday, Mali’s Prime Minister, General Abdoulaye Maiga, highlighted the shared commitment to Pan-Africanism and genuine sovereignty, commending President Mahama for his vision and solidarity.

President Mahama, in turn, described the recent withdrawal of three Sahelian countries from ECOWAS as a temporary setback. He stressed the importance of maintaining strong ties with these nations and expressed optimism about resolving differences to restore unity within the bloc.

Both leaders underscored the significance of free trade and the seamless movement of people between Ghana and Mali. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to fostering unity and development in the region, even amid ongoing challenges.