Local Government Minister appears in court

Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has finally appeared before the Supreme Court following an order that she should do so before the court in a contempt matter.

She is said to have apologised to the court in Chambers for her non-appearance, a Source has said.

On May 3, this year the Supreme Court (SC) ordered the Minister to appear before it on May 30, to appraise the court on the citing of Twedea as the capital of the Atwima Kwahoma district in the Ashanti Region.

The court, presided over by Justice Victor Jones Dotse, noted that although, the Deputy Minister Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah was in court, it would be prudent enough for the Minister to appear before it as well.

According to the court, the applicants, namely; Nana Kwarteng Panin Akosah ll, Owoahene Acheampong, Mr Yaw Kusi and Mr. Hayford Appiah-Kubi have been travelling from Ashanti region to Accra for the hearing of the case.

But the minister has not been attending court preferring her deputy to represent her.

When the matter was called on May 30, this year, parties were ushered into chambers where the matter was heard.

Journalists at the court were told by a close source to the matter that the sector Minister had apologised to the court for her non-appearance.

The Supreme Court has therefore adjourned the matter to July 13.

In the contempt application, the minister was to explain in court steps taken by government to make Twedea the district capital.

The case involves the failure of government to adhere to a May 2012 judgment ordering it to make Twedea the district capital in relation to LI 1853.

In October 26, 2007, the Kufour-led administration created 25 districts of which Atwima Kwahoma’s district capital was to be Twedea.

But in implementing the government’s decision, the capital was located at Foase, the plaintiffs said.

They proceeded to a Kumasi High Court which ruled in their favour ordering that the capital be located to Twedea.

The state, however, appealed at the Court of Appeal which reversed the decision of the High Court holding that Foase should remain the capital of Atwima Kwamhoma.

The plaintiffs appealed at the Supreme Court which on May 26, 2012, ruled in favour of the appellants.

But government failed to abide by the said order of the Supreme Court compelling the plaintiffs to cite the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for contempt.

Source: GNA