President J.A. Kufuor says he wants to retire as a respectable citizen and an elder statesman who can express his opinion on issues and offer advice as and when the need arises.

He said he had also had offers from many international organisations, including the World Bank which has asked him to serve on its board, after his retirement.

Speaking to journalists after casting his ballot at the Dzorwulu Open Space Polling Station at the Ayawaso Wuogon Constituency in Accra, President Kufuor said the World Bank had given him an offer to serve as a board member of one of its commissions.

He did not mention the other offers.

On the presidential election run-off he said he was expecting the process to be conducted peacefully and in an orderly manner.

The government, he said, was looking forward to handing over to the next administration on January 7, 2009 and pointed out that a committee had already been set up to ensure a smooth transition of power.

The President arrived at the polling station at 10.20 a.m. accompanied by his wife Theresa who had already cast her vote in the special voting exercise on December 23 because she was an observer at the station.