Ghanaians in exile asked to apply for guarantee

Ghanaians, who had to flee into exile and those sentenced in absentia should apply to the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) to seek guarantee for their return.

"Those who still have fears and citizens who were sentenced in absentia should apply to the Commission to seek government's guarantee for them," Mr Justice K. E. Amua-Sekyi, Chairman of the Commission, said when he visited the Commission's Offices at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

He said members of the Commission would not compromise their positions, adding: "The work of the Commission is non-partisan and is out to correct and heal injuries."

He urged the Commission's Public Affairs Office and district assembly members to educate the public not to have fears to report their cases from as far back as 1957.

In reaction to the proposition that the Commission should forget and let the past heal its wounds, Mr Justice Amua-Sekyi said those who were saying so were those who did not suffer any injustice.

He said, "there is no length of time that can heal the loss of a father or relative and no compensation can heal the wound but the recognition of the sufferings could."

The Chairman said the Commission was not targeting particular persons or political parties but was only out to pursue the truth. Mr Justice Amua-Sekyi, who was accompanied by the Commissioner Northern Sector, Uborr Dalafu Labal II, said an Act of Parliament and not the President established the Commission and was answerable to it.

He said his visit was to offer advice and facilitate the establishment of the zonal Secretariat of the Commission adding that it would provide motorbikes to its staff to enable them to travel to difficult areas. The Zonal Manager of the Bolgatanga Secretariat, Mr Gerald Punguse said the Secretariat had received 42 complaints to date.

The Chairman of the commission and his entourage later called on Bolga-Naba, Martin Abilba at his palace. Naba Abilba pledged his personal support and said it was a challenge to traditional rulers to spread the word on the work of the Commission.