President Mahama on Thursday pledged to lend the support of Ghanaians towards the maintenance of peace and security in the West African sub-region.

He said: “Even with the death of President John Evans Atta Mills, Ghana’s foreign policy towards regional peace, unity and security would remain the same and Ghana will continue to play a leading role in the maintenance of that security.”

President Mahama made this pledge when he addressed journalists at the Nigerian Presidential palace as part of a day’s ‘thank you tour’ to the West African country.

The President was in Nigeria to thank President Goodluck Jonathan and people of Nigeria for their participation and contributions towards the final funeral rites of late President John Evans Atta Mills in Accra, a month ago.

He also held a two-hour closed door meeting with his Nigerian counterpart and other major stakeholders in the Nigerian government.

Speaking to Journalists after the closed door meeting, President Mahama gave the assurance that Ghana would be instrumental in ensuring that peace and security were returned to Mali and other West African countries.

He said Ghana and Nigeria had similar colonial bonds with common activities and his administration would ensure that the relation continues to achieve the desired mutual benefits for the two countries.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the visit during the funeral of late President Mills and other regional commitments he had set himself to and promised to forge their relations to the highest level in the coming months.

“Ghana and Nigeria share a similar colonial inheritance and we do the same things, same food, same culture and I will continue to collaborate with Nigeria on issues that will benefit our countries and other countries in the West African sub-region," he said.