General News of Friday, 12 November 2004

Source: Sankofa TV, The Netherlands

Govt will not use NRC report to prosecute perpetrators

Ghana?s Minister of Justice, Hon. Paapa Owusu Ankoma has affirmed that the NPP government is not going to witch-hunt perpetrators of atrocities contained in the National Reconciliation Council (NRC) report. That will not advance the cause of the reconciliation process.

?We will be more interested in reparations for victims & seek institutional reforms that will prevent similar incidents in the future?, We would rather provide civic education and encourage Ghanaians to see themselves as one people irrespective of ethnic & cultural diversity, he added.

Paapa Owusu Ankoma an MP and Attorney General of Ghana who spoke to Sankofa Television in an interview during a recent visit to Holland recently added that the voters list for the December 7, 2004 elections would contain pictures of the voters to avoid impersonation and rigging.

Commenting on the voting rights of Ghanaians abroad, he stated that govt. is committed to sponsor a new bill during its second term in office.

Touching on reports in the media of a coup attempt, the Minister of Justice said ?government has not used the term coup attempt, security agencies carry out routine checks on activities of certain individuals and take the appropriate actions where necessary?. The term ?coup? depends on who is talking.

The full interview would be aired tomorrow Saturday November 13, 2004 on Sankofa Television in The Netherlands. (13:00-15:00 CET)