Mr Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, has sent a message to congratulate President John Agyekum Kufuor and Ghanaians on the occasion of Ghana's 45th Independence anniversary, celebrated on March 6.

A statement issued in Accra on Thursday by the French Embassy and signed by President Chirac said: "On the occasion of the independence day of Ghana, it is my great pleasure to present my sincere and warmest congratulations to you and transmit all my friendly wishes of prosperity to the people of Ghana.

"I was very glad to hold discussions with you on major bilateral and international issues, which are of interest to our two countries, during your recent official visit to France.

"France and Ghana have been sharing for a long time the same vision on stability and development. Therefore, I wish that our relations, based on a trustful dialogue and diversified actions of co-operation, will keep on deepening."