Kufuor gets ready to lead Ghana

Ghana is preparing for the swearing in of a new president, John Kufuor, in the first peaceful democratic transfer of power since Ghana's independence. Mr Kufuor, the former opposition leader, beat the governing party candidate, the country's Vice-President, John Atta Mills, in a run-off presidential ballot at the end of December.

He will take over from one of Africa's most prominent and charismatic leaders of recent years, Jerry Rawlings, who first seized power in a military coup 20 years ago and then went on to win two elections.

On Saturday, Mr Rawlings made his final address to the country's armed forces as their commander-in-chief, appearing before the troops in full military dress.

Collective dignity

The outgoing president told the troops: "I will always love this noble country, and I will always adore you."

He said he was leaving office with the same sense of optimism and hope that he had in 1981 when he mounted the second of two military coups that brought him to power.

Mr Rawlings said that under his leadership the people of Ghana had regained their collective dignity.

He said that he was not a fan of multi-party democracy, but he nevertheless took credit for fostering political awareness in the electorate.

The BBC's former West African correspondent, David Bramford, says Mr Rawlings would almost certainly have won the presidency had he stood for election, but - as he promised - he stood aside after two terms in office.

Ambassadorial role

One of his last acts as president was to pardon an old political foe convicted of treason against his government in 1982.

Kwame Pianim, had served 10 years of a 20-year prison sentence.

Mr Rawlings is expected to take up UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's invitation to become a roving ambassador to promote philanthropy in 2001.

"When this work takes me to other parts of the world, I hope I can point to Ghana as a prime example of the voluntary spirit," he said.

Correspondents say Mr Kufuor, known as the "Gentle Giant", lacks his predecessor's common touch and, despite his victory, still has a mountain to climb before establishing himself as leader of the Ghanaian people.