Philip Ayamba issued the statement to the press in the Upper East Region
Some natives of Binduri, a district in the Upper East region, have voiced their dissatisfaction over alleged refusal by the Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari, and the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Yakubu Abagre Ayinga, to relocate the district capital as directed by the Legislative Instrument (LI).
The principal offices of the Binduri District Assembly (BDA) are said to be currently at Bengur. The agitated natives want it relocated to Binduri, a community they claim the LI is pointing at.
“We have cause to believe that the Regional Minister and the DCE have an intention to delay and deny justice, with a possibility of triggering some unrest in an already-fragile environment in terms of the peace in the eastern corridor of the Upper East Region,” said a press statement issued on behalf of the faction by Philip Ayamba, an opinion leader in the district.
The creation of the district in 2012 saw its people sharply divided over the location of its capital. The ‘hopping district capital’ has been relocated at least twice within 6 years.
According to Mr. Ayamba, a High Court in Accra ordered the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, to “take immediate steps” to relocate the assembly’s offices. The statement says nothing has changed since the directive was issued over a year ago.
The Binduri District Assembly’s office block at Binduri
“We are at a loss as to why this turn of events which is clearly a gross disregard and defiance of the sector minister’s directive and contempt of the High Court’s order. Clearly, this is unacceptable. The court petitioners and many other stakeholders in the district are simply tired of waiting,” added the statement.
Regional Minister asked Plaintiff to apologise to Bawku Chief— Faction claims
Hajia Alima Mahama, after receiving that court order on the 31st of May, 2017, reportedly acted on it by issuing a directive to the Upper East Regional Minister to “without delay” effect the move.
The Regional Minister and the DCE inspected a site shown to them by some elders of Binduri and reportedly declared themselves satisfied with the location. It is also reported that an architectural engineer, who represented the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development on the inspection tour, was happy at what he observed.
“This is now some two and a half months since Hon. Regional Minister came around to inspect. On a recent follow-up to inquire about what progress is being made, Hon. Rockson Bukari told the team to go and see the Bawku Naba (Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area).
“He, however, could not explain satisfactorily to the team why it was necessary for us to go and see the Bawku Naba. Strangely, and to our surprise, he insisted that the lead plaintiff (Mr. Ayamba) in the previous court cases needed to go and see the Bawku Naba and apologise to him. There is no doubt that Philip recognises and respects the Bawku Naba; but we do not know why he needs to apologise to the Naba,” the statement contended.
When contacted on the matter, the Regional Minister and the DCE did not comment.
