Court adopts terms of settlement filed by parties to Binduri District Assembly case

The Human Rights Division of the High Court, Accra, presided over by Justice L.L. Mensah has today (Friday, 24th July, 2014) adopted the terms of settlement filed by the parties to the case in which some seven citizens of Binduri sued the Government of Ghana over the location of the principal offices of the Binduri District Assembly.

By reason of the said adoption of the terms of settlement, the judgment of the trial High Court in the case instituled Philip Ayamba & Ors vs. The Attorney General (Suit No.HRC 50/12) is as follows:

1. The Government of Ghana shall embark on a sensitisation programme for all stakeholders, especially at Bazua regarding L. I. 2146.



2. The Government of Ghana shall acquire the proposed site for the construction of principal and permanent offices of the district capital at Binduri as clearly provided for in L. I. 2146.



3. The Government of Ghana shall ensure that all permanent structures constituting the Binduri District Assembly shall be constructed at Binduri within two (2) years from the date of execution of these terms of settlement.



4. The Government of Ghana shall relocate the temporary offices of the Binduri District Assembly presently at Bazua to Binduri six (6) months from the date of execution of these terms of settlement, which six (6) months for the avoidance of doubt ends on the last day of July, 2014.



5. The Government of Ghana shall erect signposts at the proposed site of the permanent offices of the Binduri District Assembly at Binduri with all the details of location as mentioned clearly by L.I. 2146 and the signposts shall read: “The Proposed Site of the Binduri District Assembly, Binduri,” which sign for the avoidance of doubt shall not be erected at Bazua.



6. The Government of Ghana shall ensure that it takes steps to commence the building of the permanent principal offices of the Binduri District Assembly at Binduri in compliance with L.I. 2146 and in accordance with the time frame set down in Clause Three (3) of the terms of settlement above.

Prior to the adoption of the terms of settlement by the High Court as its judgment, the parties held at least two meetings which were variously attended by the Attorney General, Hon. (Mrs.) Marrieta Brew Appiah-Opong, the Deputy Attorney General, Hon. (Dr.) Dominic Ayine, M.P, Deputy Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum. The District Chief Executive for Binduri, Daniel Akologo, the Chief of Binduri, Naaba Akolbilla and the Kusasi Chief in Accra, Chief Hamidu Mohammed also participated in the said meetings.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice emphasized that, for the avoidance of doubt, the headquarters of the District Assembly can only be located in any of the eight (8) communities listed in the Schedule to L.I. 2146, as being part of Binduri, namely,

Binduri Natinga

Binguri

Zaago No. 1

Zaago No. 2

Bulgu

Zuulugu

Binduri Sarabogo

Bakango.

All the parties expressed their commitment to peace in the community of Binduri and the rule of law.

The parties also resolved that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development will consult all stakeholders regarding the site(s) to be chosen for the building of the principal offices of the Binduri District Assembly.

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HON. DOMONIC AYENE

DEPUTY ATTORNEY – GENERAL & MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

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HON. EMMANUEL KWADWO AGYEKUM

DEPUTY LOCAL GOV’T & RURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER

FOR & ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT