Thursday 15 November 2007

Ghanaian leader in car accident

Mr Kufuor is well into his second term as Ghana's presidentGhanaian President John Kufuor has been involved in a car crash in the capital, Accra, but appears to have escaped unhurt, according to his office.
Witnesses say they saw a vehicle crash into his car, causing it to roll over several times. When it came to a stop Mr Kufuor emerged holding his head.
A presidential spokesman said he seemed fine but was seen by his doctor.
The driver of the other car is being treated in hospital and police have reportedly begun an investigation.
Mr Kufuor appeared healthy and composed and underwent checks in the presidential palace to ensure he was not at risk, presidential press secretary Andy Awuni said.
"He has been back at his desk since 1200 in scheduled meetings with traditional leaders," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa.
Eyewitness accounts
Witnesses told Reuters news agency that a red car coming from the opposite direction had struck the president's vehicle travelling in a motorcade at a major intersection near Kotoka airport in Accra.
"The car finally rested on the sidewalk and the people around helped his security men to pull him out," electrician James Kobinah said.
"The president came out holding his head."
Another witness told a Ghanaian radio station: "The president's car was involved. It somersaulted several times and landed on the pavement...
"The president was rescued by onlookers who were around. They opened the car, the president was holding his head obviously injured in this accident he was put in another car and driven away
Mr Awuni told the BBC that both cars were damaged and they had still to identify the driver of the other car.
"Observers say the car was driving very, very fast."
"We don't know if it was deliberate or otherwise... Somebody came in from side and ran into the president's car," he said.
Mr Kufuor was elected president in 2000, a poll which marked the first peaceful, democratic transfer of power in Ghana since independence.
He had succeeded long-time ruler Jerry Rawlings.
Known as the "Gentle Giant" of Ghanaian politics, he won a second term in 2004, in an election praised for being well run and orderly.
In http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7094840.stm

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