NPP Calls for Commission on Reconciliation

Accra (Greater Accra), 24th July 99 ?

 The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday called for the establishment of a preparatory commission composed of the main political parties and specific entities of civil society to draw up an agenda for a national forum on reconciliation.

A statement signed by Mr Samuel Odoi Sykes, National Chairman, said the "current agenda proposed by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is largely propagandist.

"It is unrealistic to suppose that a four-day conference will resolve all the problems of our history as the NCCE seems to envisage," the statement said.

It said the NCCE cannot itself negotiate and consolidate national reconciliation, establish the machinery for scientifically constructing national reconciliation and commit all sections of society to accept the decisions of institutions of national reconciliation.

The statement said the process of national reconciliation requires the active participation of the critical players in the state, including the executive, parliament, political parties and the diverse organisations of civil society.

It said unfortunately the NCCE, which has taken the reconciliation initiative, does not enjoy the national standing or command the moral authority to conduct the exercise.

"It is the view of the NPP that this entire process will benefit from being placed under the aegis of Parliament, a more credible and effective source of authority."

The party suggested that a legal machinery be put in place to grant palpable relief to those who have suffered in the past.

It said victims of abuses are numerous and still alive and legal and peaceful avenues for redressing their wrongs are either non-existent or ineffective.

GRi?/