NRC Replies Ahwoi

The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) says it will not seek clearance from the US Embassy to enable Mr. Ahwoi to testify before it because, he can do so in-camera if his evidence would touch on sensitive national security issues. The Commission was reacting to a statement by Mr. Ahwoi during a press conference that he will only testify before the Commission after the US government has given the nod.

Mr. Ahwoi, who is the former Coordinator of Investigations, Vetting and Tribunals, under the PNDC has been invited to give evidence in connection to a testimony by Major John Awuakye, that he and seven other Ghanaians were unlawfully exchanged for Mr Michael Soussoudis, a cousin of former Chairman of the PNDC, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings in 1985, and forced into exile in the United States.

A statement issued by the Public Affairs Director of the NRC, Annie Anipa expressed regret at Mr. Ahwoi’s renewed call at the press conference because the issue had already been dealt with.

She explained that Mr Ahwoi earlier requested in a letter dated November 4, 2003, to the Commission to first ask the United States Government to allow him to disclose the contents and circumstances of the said exchange, since there was a bilateral agreement between the US and Ghana not to disclose them.

But the Commission wrote to Mr Ahwoi, in a letter dated November 5, 2003 that it was unable to grant that request and suggested that he could testify in-camera, if his evidence has serious security implications.

It was after this had been communicated to Mr. Ahwoi that he called a press conference, re-echoing his concerns.

Miss Anipa said by the NRC Act, the Commission was an independent body, and could not be subjected to the direction and control of any person or authority in the discharge of its functions.

The "Commission request the public and prospective witnesses to note that in undertaking its functions under the Act, it is only evidence provided under oath that will be embodied in its final report," she added.