Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo has congratulated Burkina Faso’s new President.

“This is to congratulate M. Roch Marc Christian Kabore on his election as the President of Burkina Faso, after securing 53.5% of valid votes in the general elections of Sunday, November 29, 2015,” the flagnbearer of Ghana’s biggest opposition party said in a statement.

“I also commend his main challenger, M. Zephirin Diabre, for graciously conceding defeat, thereby laying to rest any lingering suspicion and anxiety about the fate of Burkina Faso in the aftermath of the elections, the first election since the departure of President Blaise Compaore,” he said.

Mr Akufo-Addo, who is trying for the third time to get elected as Ghana’s President said: “The interim President, M. Michel Kafando, is equally to be commended for his role in steering the affairs of the country, putting in place a transitional process and organising elections in accordance with the Transition Charter.”

The peaceful nature of the polls, he added, has demonstrated the determination of the people of Burkina Faso to live in a democratic state where they, alone, through the ballot box, will have the power to decide who their leaders are.

“I wish the President-elect and the people of Burkina Faso the very best of luck, and pray for the country’s success in the years to come.

“It is my hope that the relations between Burkina Faso and Ghana will also grow from strength to strength under the Presidency of M. Roch Marc Christian Kabore,” the former Attorney General said.