Ghana on Friday condemned the unwarranted military seizure of power in Mali during the early hours of Thursday, March 22.

She has therefore, joined ECOWAS and AU in demanding that the military junta, the National Committee for the Rectification of Democracy and Restoration of the State (CNRDR), and its leader, Captain Amadou Aya Sanogo, take immediate steps to relinquish power and return Mali to legality and constitutional rule.

A statement issued in Accra on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration also called on the junta to respect human rights and ensure the security of President Amadou Toumani Toure, members of his Government and family, as well as the entire population including foreign nationals.

It said Ghana was closely monitoring the evolving political and security situation in Mali and stands ready and willing to concert efforts with other members of ECOWAS and AU as well as the wider international community in finding a resolute solution to the unwelcome development in the interest of democracy, peace and security.

The statement said President John Evans Atta Mills would attend an Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Mali in Abidjan on Tuesday, March 27 to deliberate on the recent development.

"The Government is in constant touch with Ghana's Ambassador and staff in Bamako with a charge to safeguard and ensure the safety of all our compatriots living and working in Mali," it added.