Minority examines Reconciliation Commission membership

The Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament is assessing the membership of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) and will make its position in due course. Mr John Mahama, the NDC MP for Bole and Minority Spokesperson on Communications, disclosed this in an interview with The Evening News in Accra on Thursday.

The Evening News had sought to find out the Minority’s position on progress made so far by government to get the NRC to begin its hearings. Mr Mahama said members of the Minority had already held initial discussions on the issue and would state their position at the appropriate time.

He said the Minority rejected the period set by the government for the NRC to investigate alleged human rights abuses since it did not extend to the period of independence. Again, Mr Mahama said even though the majority NDC agreed at a Caucus meeting that personalities to be nominated to the NRC by the President in consultation with the Council of State would be vetted by Parliament, the majority later reneged on that pledge.

He wondered how a nation could be reconciled to promote peace and unity if the views of the minority are disregarded on crucial national issues. The NRC, which is being set up under the National Reconciliation Act 2002 (Act 611) will work for an initial period of one year with a possible extension of six months.