NRC receives 3,836 petitions as at July 14,2003

Accra, Aug. 27, GNA - The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) as at July 14, 2003 received a total of 3,836 petitions from across the country, a statement issued on Wednesday said.
The statement signed by Dr. Ken Attafuah, Executive Secretary, said the breakdown is, Accra 1,203, Zonal offices in Bolgatanga, 177, Ho 324, Kumasi 971, Takoradi 671 and Tamale 490.
The statement said it was impressed with the level of public attendance at its hearings that was aimed among other things at ensuring direct public participation in the national reconciliation process. It said the Commission's zonal offices would be closed down from August 29, 2003, adding that it will continue to receive complaints from members of the public only at its headquarters located at the Old Parliament House in Accra.
The statement said in view of the expenses involved in staging hearings outside Accra, it made an operational decision to conduct hearings in only selected zonal capitals.
It said the Commission had sat in Accra for 22 weeks and heard 357 cases from Greater Accra, Volta and a few from other regions, adding that it would continue with its hearings in Accra next week.
The Commission was in Kumasi for two weeks and heard 87 cases mainly from Ashanti and a few from Brong Ahafo and Eastern Regions. During its two weeks hearing in Tamale, the Commission heard 96 cases mainly from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. When the Commission sat in Takoradi for two weeks in July to mid August, it heard 71 cases, mainly from the Western Region and a few from the Central Regions.
The statement said the Commission would be sitting in Kumasi from September 8 to 19, 2003 to hear cases from Brong Ahafo, Upper East, Upper West, Northern and Ashanti regions.
It will resume its hearings in Accra from all regions from September 30, 2003 to January 2004.