Accra, Nov. 4, GNA - Ivorian President Luarent Gbagbo on Wednesday commended Ghana for her political maturity saying the nation had taken all her citizens along on the path of democracy.

He was proposing the toast at a luncheon organised in his honour at the end of his two-day official visit to Ghana in Accra.

President Gbagbo extolled the unity exhibited by Ghanaians as a remarkable feat that other African countries should emulate. "Continue to give the good example of humility and democracy," he said. President Gbagbo observed that the level of cordiality among former leaders of different political parties was absent in many African countries. Dwelling on the historical, economic, political, ethnic and linguistic links between the two countries and the need to forge closer relations, President Gbagbo stressed the need for periodic meetings between the leaders to address common challenges.

On the impending Ivorian elections, he said it might take place in December this year or January next year.

President Gbagbo announced that the players and technical team of the Black Satellites would be invited to Cote d'Ivoire and honoured because their victory was for the African Continent.

President John Evans Atta Mills called on both countries to remove all traces of mistrust and live in an atmosphere of understanding. He called for peace between them as the basis for development, to use their common resources to improve the lives of the people. During the visit, President Gbagbo laid a wreath at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and met the Ivorian community in Ghana. He has since left for home. 4 Nov. 09