Ho Reconciliation Commission starts investigations

The Ho Zonal Office of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) has commenced investigations into complaints it had received to establish the veracity of the allegations.

In all 84 complaints, 74 from men and 10 from women between 33 and 86 years of age had been received by the close of work on Monday September 30.

A press release issued on Tuesday and signed by Ms Kafui Aku Gunu, Public Affairs Officer of the Zonal office, said one investigator would be engaged for each of the five zones in the country to handle "statements peculiar to the respective localities".

The release which put complaints in the Ho zone under killings, seizure of property, torture and ill treatment said a process of counseling those thought to be traumatized had started.

It mentioned some of the emotional conditions for which counseling was being provided to include grieving, revengeful thoughts, flashbacks, sleeplessness, suicidal thoughts and low self esteem. "Following the counseling sessions, some are beginning to understand the need to let go, but it is a process," the statement said.

It noted that while sections of the public have made comments of encouragement and promised to assist the Commission to fulfill its mandate of seeking and promoting national reconciliation, some others have passed comments suggesting that the purpose of the exercise was being misconstrued,

"The Commission is only a fact-finding commission that will make recommendations to the President based on thorough investigations into claims of alleged human rights violations. It is not a court that will try any one as an accused person", it added.