Accra, May 17, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has sent a message of congratulations to the new French President Nicholas Sarkozy on his election and investiture, saying Ghana views the era of his presidency as an opportunity to deepen the warm relations between the two countries.

A statement signed on Thursday by Mr Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary to the President and Presidential Spokesman, said President Kufuor believed that the convincing mandate received from the French people would help strengthen France's historic ties with Africa and build bridges of meaningful cooperation in all spheres of Euro-African relations.

President Kufuor, who is also the African Union (AU) chairman, said he was aware of the determination and commitment of present African leaders to drive a dynamic and positive change in the socio-economic fortunes of the continent for present and future generations. President Kufuor said Africa looked forward to the support of France during President Sarkozy's tenure to strengthen the institutional capacity of the AU in the interest of peace, security and development of the continent. 17 May 07