President J.A. Kufuor, according to 'The Dispatch' continues to sort out the pressures of interest groups in the selection of his Ministers and their deputies, and the internal party issue, which refuses to go away is reaching boiling point.

"Some members of an important and influential pressure group within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Women's Group, is threatening to go public over what one of them terms, "how the party is fussing over a latter day female convert to the NPP." When pressed to mention who that person was, she said, "Hon. Hawa Yakubu, of course," it said.

Two NPP women, whose names were not disclosed, alleged that their stance was not because Hon Hawa was not a fine material but because she is relatively new in the party while there are other equally capable women who have stayed several years with the NPP among whom the President could have made his choices.

Hon Hawa Yakubu reportedly confirmed the story, indicating that she was aware of tension emanating from some leading female party members.

She however said she had in 1979 been with the United National Convention (UNC), part of the UP tradition, from which emerged also the current Speaker of Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, and Mr Sam Okudzeto.

She said in 1992, as an independent Member of Parliament, she stood on the side of the NPP in its absence from Parliament.

She said she was sure that about 80 per cent of the women in the NPP are on her side, adding that she was ready to work with everybody.