The Speaker of Parliament, Peter Ala Adjetey, is acting as President of the Republic in the absence of President Kufuor and Vice President Aliu Mahama. Mr. Ala Adjetey, took the oath of office at midnight, as members of Parliament sat in an extraordinary session to swear in the acting President.

President Kufuor is travelling to Australia to attend the Commonwealth Heads of State Summit and Vice President Aliu Mahama is yet to return from Saudi Arabia where he is attending the Muslim Pilgrimage or the Hajj. Mr. Ala Adjetey is expected to act as President for four days until Vice President Aliu Mahama returns from Saudi Arabia.

After he had taken the oath of office, Minority Leader Alban Bagbin humorously asked the acting President to undertake a cabinet reshuffle immediately. Mr. Bagbin said this action will send Mr Ala Ajetey into the history books, adding that it is very important for the Speaker returns to his seat having set a record.

President Kufuor left Accra on Sunday night for a two-day visit to Singapore. The President is scheduled meet the Singaporean Prime Minister to discuss issues of bilateral interest.

The President Kufuor is also keen on whipping up interest among the Singaporean business community about opportunities in Ghana. After the two-day stay in Singapore, the President will travel to Australia where Commonwealth Heads of State are scheduled to begin a summit on the 2nd of March.