Ghana, Gambia agree on panel to investigate killings

From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, GNA Special Correspondent, Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou, Jan. 19, GNA - Both Ghana and The Gambia has agreed on a joint panel to investigate and establish the truth about the killing of some Ghanaian nationals in the neighbouring West African State.

This was the outcome of a meeting between the two countries facilitated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and attended by ECOWAS Foreign Ministers and United Nations (UN) Forensic Experts.

Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Foreign Minister, headed Ghana's side to the talks, ahead of the 33rd Summit of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held in the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou on Friday. The Press Secretary to President John Agyekum Kufuor, Mr Andrew Awuni told a press briefing that the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Frank Adu-Poku, Director of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and The Gambia's Inspector General of Police (IGP) are both on the panel.

With this, Ghana's efforts at getting to the bottom of the matter for satisfactory resolution, has been taken to a new high level. Meanwhile, the Summit ended with the re-election of Burkina Faso President Blaise Campaore as ECOWAS Chairman for another one-year term.

Mr Awuni said the Leaders received the report of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas as well as those of the various departments, including that of the Peace and Security at a closed-door meeting.

They also agreed on the harmonization of the interim Economic Partnership Agreements signed separately between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire with the European Union (EU) with a view to adopting the best case scenario and to use it as a roadmap for negotiating a permanent trade agreement for the entire Sub-Region. The signing of the interim EPA became necessary to prevent a void in trade relations with Europe following the expiry of the Cotonou agreement.