President J A Kufuor has on his behalf and the people of Ghana sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki. In a statement issued in Accra, President Kufuor described Mr. Kibaki’s victory as a renewal of hope for Kenya and a positive contribution to the political and social advancement of Africa.

He pledged Ghana’s readiness to cooperate and work closely with the new government for the mutual benefit of citizens of both countries and the enhancement of peace and economic integration of the continent.

In a related development, the National Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has congratulated Kenya's National Rainbow Coalition on its electoral victory saying it showed that the democratic march across the continent was unstoppable.

A statement signed by Dr Nii Josiah-Aryeh, General Secretary, said the NDC blazed this democratic trail in 2000 and ensured a smooth transfer of power to a new government in similar circumstances.

The NDC said it was optimistic that Kenya would go through a smooth transition to prove to the world that Africa was truly maturing in the realm of multiparty democracy.

Mr Mwai Kibaki of the Rainbow Coalition won a landslide victory at the poll, ending a 40-year domination of the country by the KANU party.