Ex-PNDC detainees call for compensation

An association of Ex-PNDC political detainees, Peace Seekers International (PSI), on Monday called on President John Kufuor to compensate their members for their unlawful detentions which have cost them jobs and led to broken homes and families.

Mr Alex Addo, Spokesman for the group made up of 72 people, said if presidential staffers and party functionaries should receive huge end-of-service benefits, "then it is only fair that innocent victims who were loyally serving their nation and got victimised are also compensated."

He told a press conference in Accra that the detainees, most of whom were members of the security services, have forgiven their "oppressors for the sake of reconciliation.

" However, Mr Addo said, they are urging the government to revisit the issue and consider compensation for the victims "after a critical look into the circumstances that led to our molestation, torture and arbitrary detentions." "...Some of us still do not understand why we were held in detention for the varying lengths of time, only to be told we have been pardoned."

Mr Addo said most members of the association were detained between 1982 and 1992 and have been left with economic, social and emotional scars to deal with for the rest of their lives, He urged the youth, women's groups, professional bodies, traditional and religious leaders and all lovers of democracy to take it upon themselves to ensure that the present democracy is not subverted.

"If we should clothe ourselves with passiveness and sleep unconcerned as if the safeguarding of the nation's democracy is the responsibility of only those in power and the security forces, we shall be taken by surprise."

He urged the youth to be armed with "vigilance, protests and demonstrations" to ensure that the present democracy thrives