Accra, Aug. 22, GNA - Mr Ariel Van der Wiel, outgoing Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, on Tuesday expressed admiration at the level of socio-economic and political progress the country was making. The Ambassador, had lived in Africa for the past 15 years, and said Ghana through its blending of culture and tradition with modern development had made a difference in Africa.

"Ghana is the model of development for Africa. This has really touched us", he said, when he called on President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu, to bid him farewell.

Mr Wiel is leaving at the end of his four-year duty tour of Ghana for Abuja where he would double as his country's representative of the ECOWAS, the sub-regional body.

He said he was happy that Ghana and Netherlands were enjoying good co-operation.

President Kufuor noted that the tenure of the outgoing Ambassador was marked by significant improvement in the relations between the two countries.

Dutch support for Ghana's road works, water projects as well as forestry and wildlife development increased during the Ambassador's tenure of Office, he said.

"Your face has become easily identified not only on the television, but in most of our communities."

President Kufuor said Mr Wiel's years of experience in Africa put him in a better position to understand the situation of the Sub-Region and asked him to serve as an "effective advocate for us not only in your country but in the European Union".

On the recognition of Ghana's development achievements, the President said this would only go to reinforce the Government and the people's self-confidence.