The Ghanaian Observer says Foreign Affairs Minister Nana Akufo-Addo is set to quit his position and government on July 17. The paper says Nana Akufo-Addo will represent President Kufuor on a trip to Sofia and Moscow respectively between July 13-16. Sources close to the Foreign Minister told GO that on his return Nana Akufo-Addo will attend the National Council meeting of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, July 17. "He is expected to officially quit government on the morning of the 17". He will not attend that meeting as a former Minister but a member of that body," according to the paper quoting one of Nana Akufo-Addo's aides. That meeting, according to NPP headquarters sources will fix the venue, date and filing fees for the presidential aspirants. Nana Akufo-Addo is also expected to embark on a national tour in early August to touch base with the people - a passion that has characterised his campaigns in the past, one of which saw him placing second to President J. A. Kufuor in 1998. Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to slug it out with stalwarts like Vice President Aliu Mahama, Trade Minister Alan Kyeremanteng, Defence Minister Dr. Addo Kufuor, Works and Housing Minister, Hackman Owusu Agyemang and Dr. Konadu Apraku, among others for the NPP flagbearship. His campaign handlers say Nana Akufo-Addo acknowledges the strengths of all the personalities in the race, but he has a competitive advantage and experience that will see him emerge as the NPP's flag bearer for the 2008 elections. They point to the fact that Nana Addo cuts across the social strata and has vast political, professional and other advantages. Nana Akufo-Addo was born at Swalaba, Accra, and had his primary education at the Government Boys School (Syto) and later Rowe Road School (now Kinbu). He also grew up in Nima where he is widely expected to move back in the coming months. Nana Addo was also a great sportsman in his youth and played alongside Prof. Atta Mills in the University soccer team at Legon, and also played for Real Republikans. He was later chosen by the legendary Ohene Djan, then Director of the Central Organisation of Sports (COS), as administrative secretary of Real Republikans. The Foreign Minister is seen as a politician with the charisma, intellect and populism that cut across social lines. In the 1980s and 1990s, Nana Akufo-Addo used the law courts to defend the Constitution, promote human rights and civil liberties with celebrated cases such as Tuffuor vs. Attorney-General, NPP vs. GBC, etc. Once the veteran nationalist Atakora Gyimah founded the Danquah-Busia Memorial Club in Kumasi, Nana Akufo-Addo became Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Club. It was around this time that his links with the grassroots were further consolidated as he travelled the length and breadth of the country to establish branches of the club, which were to be eventually transformed into local organs of the NPP after the ban on party politics was lifted prior to the elections of 1992. Source: Ghanaian Observer