Accra, March 13, GNA - US President George W. Bush has thanked Ghanaians for the warm reception he and his wife, Laura, received during last month's visit to Ghana as part of an African tour that also took him to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda and Liberia.

"We were energized by the tens of thousands of Ghanaians lining the streets to welcome us," President Bush said in a message to Ghanaians. "More importantly, the people of the United States were able to see your dynamic spirit. Images of Ghanaian entrepreneurs, traditional leaders, and schoolchildren reached the American people, and they were impressed," he said.

The US President recounted that, while in Accra, he announced the United States' new $350 mission initiative to target neglected tropical diseases like river blindness and hookworm across the globe. He said he and President John Agyekum Kufuor also discussed the wide-ranging cooperation between the United States and Ghana on important issues including malaria, development supported by the Millennium Challenge Account, trade and investment, and Ghana's contributions to regional stability and peacekeeping.

"I am proud to call President Kufuor friend, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on issues that are important to Ghana and the rest of the world. His leadership has led to many successes, some of which I saw firsthand during my visit," President Bush said. "I hope Laura and I can visit you again in the years ahead. Until then, thank you for your kind hospitality. Hosting a presidential event can cause inconveniences, and we thank you for your patience during our stay. Meda mo ase," he added. 13 March 08