Ghana sends peace mission to Ivory Coast

ACCRA, Ghana - Ghana's foreign minister led a top-level team Sunday on a peace mission for troubled Ivory Coast, torn by an uprising that West African leaders fear will undermine efforts toward regional development.

Nigeria and Togo also are sending officials on the mission.

"The leaders are determined to reach a negotiated settlement to end the unrests as quickly as possible," said Daniel Osei-Kufuor, aide to Ghana President John Kufuor and a member of the Ghana mission.

John Kufuor, whose 2001 election ended his predecessor's two-decade, coup-installed rule in Ghana, has decried Thursday's coup attempt in neighboring Ivory Coast as damaging to African efforts to attract investment and development partners.

Osei said the West African mediators planned to meet with Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo, but gave no other details.

"The ultimate task before us is to explore how best we can assist the legitimate government of Ivory Coast to find an amicable and negotiated solution to the standoff in the central and northern parts of the country," Osei told reporters.

Foreign Minister Hackman Owusu Agyemang led Ghana's group, which also included the defense minister and air force commander.