"It’s Becoming Public Relations Gimmick" MP on NRC

A leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said that the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) hearings are assuming “wide, big public relations” exercise which if not checked will defeat the Commission’s very purpose and essence.

The Minority Spokesperson on Communications and member of parliament (MP) for Bole, Hon John Dramani Mahama, admits that reconciling people to each other is essential though, the live TV broadcast of the NRC sittings focusing on some of the chilling, gory and horrendous details which end up becoming the talk of the town “is really turning public attention from the essence of the process.”

Hon Mahama, who made these observations in an exclusive interview with The Daily Dispatch recently, cautioned that if the said interview with The Daily Dispatch recently, cautioned that if the said modus operandi is not refined, “we could get side tracked completely from the actual purpose we intend to carry out.” Hon Mahama was also dissatisfied with how the Commissioners occasionally by the pronouncements prejudice the NRC’s work.

According to him, when witnesses testify before the Commission, even without establishing whether their testimonies are true or false, the Commissioners subsequently shower commendations and compliments on the witnesses and thereby send “wrong signals” that whatever was recounted was the gospel truth. “I’ve watched some of the sittings of the Commission and I know some of the people who have testified who themselves have perpetrated terrible acts against others,” he added.

Hon Alex K. Korankye (NPP – Asante Akim South) holds a divergent view on the media coverage. In his view, the media coverage has been very supportive and co-operative to the Commission’s salutary one. “…. Media coverage has been very supportive and co-operative, making people to know what transpired. If you listen to some of the chilling stones, they make you feel that never again should Ghanaians go into such trauma,” he praised the media.