Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings Tuesday expressed concern at the post-election killings in Cote d'Ivoire and urged states in the West African sub-region to step up efforts to curb the crisis before it escalates and spills over.

"What is happening in Cote d'Ivoire is a shock to many people but to some of us, it is not a surprise. It has been simmering for many years," Rawlings said, when an envoy from the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Alpha Konare of Mali, delivered a special message to him at the Castle, Osu.

The message, delivered by Madibo Sidibe, Foreign Minister and Chairman of ECOWAS Security and Mediation Council, centred on conflict areas in the sub-region.

These are Sierra Leone, the tension between Liberia and Guinea, and the political situation in Cote d'Ivoire.

Lansana Kouyate, ECOWAS Executive Secretary, accompanied the Foreign Minister.

Rawlings said Ivorians have been blaming foreigners for their problems and on a number of occasions went on the rampage and killed several of them, including Ghanaians.

About seven years ago, an incident at a football match in Kumasi, Ghana, between Kotoko and Asec of Abidjan provoked a riot in Cote d'Ivoire.

Rampaging Ivorians went after Ghanaians resident in their country, killed several of them and either burnt or looted their property.

"When they were killing Ghanaians and others, the world kept quiet. Now, they are killing themselves and the world is hearing about it. We have to sit up, analyse and contain the situation before it spills over," the Ghanaian leader added.

Rawlings said it seemed the "cold-blooded killing is declining" in Cote d'Ivoire, and that Ghana is willing to collaborate with other ECOWAS member countries to bring normalcy to that country.

Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Ghana's Minister of State in charge of National Security, said the political situation in Cote d'Ivoire "is of deep concern for Ghana as we share borders."

"Now, the situation is not critical, but dicey so it should be well managed."

But he also said the looming conflict between Liberia and Guinea, each accusing the other of harbouring dissidents, is worrying.

"All these conflicts add up to the insecurity in the sub- region," he said, adding: "We also have to move quickly in Sierra Leone. It is important we tackle security issues in the sub- region to allow for peace and development."

Sidibe said the security situation is impeding the sub- region's economic integration. "We have to tackle security and integration at a go. The two go together," he said.

Kouyate spoke about indiscipline in Africa and said in many countries, citizens do not take into account "the national interest and cohesion."

"Indiscipline is not only seen on our roads. It is seen in many spheres of national life," he said.