From: Beatrice Akua Asamani, GNA Special Correspondent; Dakar

Dakar, April 5, GNA - Ghana, represented by Vice President Aliu Mahama, has expressed its goodwill towards the people of Senegal on their 45th Independence Anniversary marked by a parade on Monday in its capital, Dakar.

Foreign Minster Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also attended the ceremony, witnessed by the Presidents of Mali, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and a number of African Vice Presidents and government delegations. Acknowledging the gesture, President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, commended his guests for showing "the spirit of brotherliness". President Wade, who has regularly attended similar ceremonies in Ghana, urged African leaders to continue to make the necessary sacrifices to uphold the unity, peace and harmony amongst Africans for their mutual socio-economic progress.

He also congratulated his compatriots for maintaining the peace and unity of the nation and for their keen interest in the ceremony. The Afro-Francophone country, which gained independence from France on April 4, 1960, has enjoyed uninterrupted civilian regimes under the leadership of three Presidents. President Wade, who ascended the Presidency in 2000 from the opposition, succeeded Mr Abdou Diouf, who had ruled for 19 years.

Leopold Senghor, who led his country to independence, ruled for 21 years.

Following constitutional reforms in 2001, however, Senegalese Presidents are limited to two-five year terms.

The anniversary parade, described as "spectacular" by President Wade, was formed by contingents from the security agencies, school children, youth groups and ex-service men at the Liberation Square. The Ghanaian delegation has since returned home.