President Kufuor has expressed appreciation to the government of India for helping Ghana put up a presidential palace.

"After 50 years of independence we now have a complex that will serve as an embodiment of the soul of the nation."

India, the President said, through its Export-Import Bank, extended a $30 million loan facility to Ghana for the construction of the presidential palace. Half of the amount was declared a gift, while the other half a short term loan attracting an interest rate of 1.5 per cent to be repaid over a 25-year period.

Kufuor gave the commendation when the outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Rajesh Nandan Prasad called on him at the Castle, Osu.

Mr Prasad was at the Castle to inform the President about his end of office and to bid him farewell.

Kufuor also acknowledged the assistance India was extending to Africa through the installation of a Pan-African ICT Network to link all 53 countries in Africa.