Accra, July 25, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday said the true democratic principles being pursued by the government in the rule of law and good governance had made Ghana the heart and centre piece in the West African Sub-Region.

He said,"the pursuit of true democratic principles, rule of law and good governance in Ghana has distinguished the country as the heart and centre piece in the West African Sub-Region".

President Kufuor said this when he received the Letters of Credentials of Mr Peter Linder, German Ambassador-designate to Ghana at the Castle, Osu.

He commended the German government for its support to the development of the infrastructural, agricultural and water sectors.

President Kufuor said, "the warm relationship between them made Ghana to receive tremendous support in the infrastructure, agriculture and the water sectors".

Mr Linder said Germany did not pursue any power politics in relation to Africa, on the contrary Germany would encourage and support African countries efforts towards the principles of the rule of law, democracy and good governance.

He said it was in line with these principles that Germany commended Ghana's role in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Initiative and the government's willingness to be the first country to conduct a Peer Review.

Mr Linder said Ghana's foreign policy had set itself the goal of promoting good neighbourliness, regional integration and African co-operation and Germany appreciates the efforts made by President Kufuor towards the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Cote D'Ivoire and Liberia.

He pledged to promote and deepen the cordial relationship between the two countries.