President John Agyekum Kufuor has accepted the resignation of Madam Hawa Yakubu as Minister of Tourism. He expressed regret at the decision but noted with appreciation Madam Hawa Yakubu’s assurance to remain committed to the cause of government and nation building.

A statement issued in Accra said the President has directed the Minister of Private Sector Development, Kwamena Bartels to assume temporary responsibility for the Tourism Ministry. The President wished Madam Yakubu who is also a Member of Ghana’s Parliament well in all her endeavours.

Madam Yakubu reportedly resigned to enable her to take up a position as a member of the ECOWAS Parliament. The ECOWAS Protocols do not allow any member of the Parliament to hold a ministerial position in government. Sources say Madam Yakubu took the final decision after she tried unsuccessfully to persuade the Ghana government to lobby for an amendment of the ECOWAS Protocols.