WASHINGTON (AFP) — Ghana President John Kufuor on Monday praised US President George W. Bush's handling of "mind-boggling and hair-raising" challenges throughout his term and wished him a happy retirement.
"Through them all, you have been strong, forthright, consistent and faithful. You are a survivor. And my hope is that history would prove kinder to you," Kufuor said as he opened a state visit to the United States.
"Your tenure has been full of events and challenges, some very mind-boggling and hair-raising," said Kufuor. "May you have a restful and useful retirement within your society and beyond."
Bush rolled out the red carpet for Kufuor, who hosted him in Accra in February, and called Ghana "a model of entrepreneurship and democracy and peace on the continent of Africa."
Kufuor thanked his host, whose term ends in January, for US help in battling HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other deadly diseases, as well as aid to promote literacy and economic development assistance.
"I cannot conclude without wishing you, Mr President, a successful ending to your tenure as the leader of this superpower nation," said the visiting president.
Kufuor, who is serving the end of his second five-year term and therefore ineligible to seek another in December elections, said he was "fully committed" to making sure the contest to succeed him goes smoothly.
"My government is fully committed to supporting the conduct of a free and fair electoral process in the impending presidential and parliamentary elections this coming December to which we welcome international observers," he said.
Kufuor also urged quick US action in the face of the financial crisis, which he said was reaching far beyond US shores.
"With the current difficulties, naturally we also are affected. So we can only wish that your country rallies quickly to find solutions so that much of the world would be saved the trauma that we are going through," he said.
Kufuor pleaded for cooperation between the developed and developing world on issues like soaring food and energy prices, which he said were "subverting" economic gains in the developing world.
"We believe the developed, as well as the developing countries, should feel that we are in the boat together and that we must learn to sail together, or perhaps we sink together," he said.
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