Going, Going, ..Not So Fast...

Cabinet ministers who intend to contest the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are expected to vacate their posts earliest by Monday, latest by end of month, according to the newspaper Accra Daily Mail.

The minister-aspirants are to prepare comprehensive handing-over notes and consult some more with President Kufuor from now on, before stepping out to pursue their presidential ambitions.

The ministers are expected to be leaving at different times between next week and July ending.

Late last month a statement issued by Mr D.K. Osei, Secretary to the President said "after frank and open discussions, an understanding was reached that the Ministers would step aside from Government SOON after the AU Summit."

It continued "this is to enable them concentrate on their individual efforts to win the Party's nomination and also enable Government continue with its work without any distraction throughout the hectic period ahead."

The Ministers expected to leave are:

• Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence
• Paapa Owusu-Ankomah, Minister of Education
• Nana Akufo-Addo, Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Mr. Alan Kyeremanten, Minister of Trade and PSI
• Professor Mike Ocquaye, Minister of Communications
• Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations
• Mr. Owusu-Agyepong, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs/Roads & Highways
• Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyeman, Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources;

Though their departure is at the President’s pleasure, the ruling New Pariotic Party's (NPP) constitution makes it mandatory for office holders who want to run for president to first vacate their political office. Some have questioned the fairness of such a decision, because according to them a sitting vice president with presidential ambition is not required to step down.

That argument has so far been discredited and so Vice President Aliu Mahama would remain in office as he pursues his presidential ambitions. About two weeks ago, he informed his boss officially about his intention to run for president finally breaking his silence on his future.