NRC begins regional payment of reparations

Kumasi, Nov. 14, GNA - Ghanaians have been urged to put the past behind and burry their differences and support the government in its developmental agenda.

They should also take advantage of the prevailing rule of law and work towards achieving law and order, unity and peace in the country. Mr Kwame Osei Prempeh, Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, made the call at the launching of the regional payments of reparations to victims of abuse, who were recommended by the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) in Kumasi on Tuesday.

He said it was the resolve of the government and Ghanaians in general that never again should the country slip back to such an abusive era. Mr Osei Prempeh said the government was spending about 13.3 billion cedis as payment of reparations to beneficiaries throughout the country and hoped the compensation would enable the victims to forget the past and forge ahead with determination to promote the development of the nation.

He said the compensation was a token and an ample demonstration that, Ghanaians were very sorry about what happened in the past, adding that, all victims would receive their compensations by the end of November, this year.

Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, said there was no way one could measure the value of the loss of a relative or love one in monetary terms.

He, however, said the compensation was a gesture of government, which believed in liberties and freedoms of all citizens.

Mr Owusu-Ansah, advised Ghanaians to strive to protect the constitution at all times in order to protect their freedoms and liberties.

Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe, Co-ordinator of the NRC Compensation Payments, pointed out that, the compensation was not intended to pay the victims back what they had suffered, but as a token for the government's appreciation that something went wrong in the past.

He advised the victims to forget the ills that happened to them and think about the good things they could do for Ghana to progress. Justice Crabbe also stressed the need for all Ghanaians to strive to ensure peace in the country a nd prevent the re-occurrence of such tragedy in the country. Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia the six, Bantamahene, who chaired the function, commended the government for taken such a bold decision to compensate the victims.