Cabinet reshuffle expected today

... Four Ministers To Resign?
... Anane to get back his post?
President Kufuor is expected to determine the fate of his ministers, who wish to lead the New Patriotic Party(NPP) to contest national elections in 2008, at a cabinet meeting today.

Kufuor issued a directive last week that minister-aspirants quit their posts by the end of this week or lose their jobs.

The ministers in the firing line are: Kwame Addo-Kufuor(Defence), Hackman Owusu-Agyemang(Water Resources, Works and Housing) and Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey(Tourism and Diaspora Relations).

The rest are Felix Owusu Adjapong(Parliamentary Affairs), Aaron Mike Oquaye(Communications) and Papa Owusu-Ankomah(Education, Science and Sports).

Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo(Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD) and Alan Kyeremanten(Trade and Industry) are expected to keep their jobs temporarily.

The position of the Vice president, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who is also expected to run for the office, is not clear. According to a castle source, the veep will retain his position, but will still run for the NPP flagbearer position. "He is not a minister" said the source.

According to an Accra-based radio station, JOYFM, Kufuor will announce his new cabinet at the meeting.

The new cabinent is expected to include former Roads and Transport Minister, Richard Anane.

At least four ministers are expected to resign prior to the announcement. The four ministers have written their letters in accordance with the President's directive. However, sources say only Paa Kwesi Nduom (Ministry of Public Sector Reforms, CPP) and Papa Owusu-Ankomah are likely to submit heir resignation letter today.

Kufuor met minister-aspirants for the second time in a little over a week on Wednesday over their presidential ambitions.

Even though executives of the ruling NPP have faulted the President for failing to consult them before issuing the fiat, Kufuor is expected to push aside most of the ambitious ministers in his reshuffle.