...NPP Plot blamed    
Madam Hawa "Iron Lady" Yakubu, finally threw in the towel and resigned her position as Minister of Tourism, following reports that the NPP majority in Parliament was plotting to ease her out of the ECOWAS Parliament on grounds that she could not hold that position and that of a minister. The problem started last year, but was brought under control at the intervention of the Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration and National Security Chief who cautioned restraint.

Both the President and the Vice President were pulled into the feud between leading members of the House and the Iron Lady with President Kufuor reportedly agreeing that Hawa, who had been refused permission to travel on an ECOWAS Parliamentary assignment, could actually travel to carry out her work.

Chronicle gathered from Parliamentary sources that early next week the matter would come back on the table for discussion and voting. Hawa had continuously intimated to her colleagues in Parliament that she was ready to give up the ministerial portfolio any time, if that is an issue.

Following a tip from a parliamentary source, it was gathered that two other ministers who are also Members of the ECOWAS Parliament, including Works and Housing Minister, Hon Yaw Barimah, had been quietly tapped on their shoulders to resign as ECOWAS MPs.

That offer was not extended to Hawa, who picked up that intelligence later. The plan was that Hawa would be the only minister who would then remain a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, and the way would then be clear for the NPP leadership to move for her withdrawal as MP.

It was gathered that sensing danger, she informed the President, offered her deep appreciation to him for making her a minister and resigned. On Wednesday when her office was reached late noon, it was gathered that she had been dispatched to Bolgatanga on a national assignment as a member of the Yendi reconciliation team.

She could not be personally contacted, but it was gathered she had made sure that a chief director, a lady reputed to be efficient, had been appointed to help in the smooth administration of the ministry. The deputy minister with whom Hawa has an excellent working relationship, Nana Akomea, is expected to hold the fort.

Sources Chronicle spoke to confirmed that Hawa is now battle ready with that cross off her shoulder and is said to be protected by ECOWAS protocols which make it impossible to sack an MP. Hawa already carries an ECOWAS Diplomatic passport and chairs the important Transportation committee. She has strong backing from other ECOWAS MPs in the region. "She will fight to the last drop of her blood, knowing Hawa. I know the President will be upset about this," said a source close to the Executive.