Accra, Sept. 2, GNA - The National Reconciliation Commission on Tuesday said it carried out an exercise on Monday September 1, to exhume the remains of eight persons executed by firing squad in May 1986 that would later be handed over to their respective families for a proper and dignifying burial.
They were Mawuli Dra-Goka, Kyeremeh Kojo Djan, Yaw Brefo Berko, Samuel Boamah Paynin, Samuel Charles Aforo, Richrad Charles Koomson and two other unknown persons.
A statement signed by Dr. Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah, Executive Secretary of the NRC said the exercise was carried out on the strength of an order obtained from a magistrate court at Osu, Accra on Thursday, April 17, 2003.
It said the Commission had not handed over any remains to any of the families because a considerable amount of work remained to be done before any handing over could take place.
The statement said the exhumation was conducted by a team of doctors from the Pathology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and a forensic anthropologist from the School of Medical Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Present were officials of the Commission, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ministry of Health and some relatives of the deceased persons.
According to the statement, the pathologists at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital were yet to conduct post mortem examination on the remains, adding that they would also conduct forensic tests, including DNA, to help in identifying the remains.
"The Commission wishes to emphasise that this exhumation is in keeping with its obligation under the National Reconciliation Commission Act (Act 611) to provide healing and redress to aggrieved persons as part of the national reconciliation exercise."
It said the Commission did not shift the date of the exhumation to accommodate a request of any family member of the deceased as reported in a private Newspaper, adding that lack of logistics and having to bring all the people concerned together brought about the delay.
The statement had, meanwhile called on the general public, relatives and friends the following persons believed to have been executed by firing squad on or about May 20, 1986 to contact the Executive Secretary of the Commission at its offices at the Old Parliament House for an important discussion.
They are A.B. Karikari, Sgt. R. Kwaku, Samuel Torsoo, Kwaku Torsoo, George Badame, Anthony Kofie, Seidu Salifu, Suleimana (also known as 'Killer') Seth Amponsah and Kwame Addo.
Accra, Sept. 2, GNA - The National Reconciliation Commission on Tuesday said it carried out an exercise on Monday September 1, to exhume the remains of eight persons executed by firing squad in May 1986 that would later be handed over to their respective families for a proper and dignifying burial.
They were Mawuli Dra-Goka, Kyeremeh Kojo Djan, Yaw Brefo Berko, Samuel Boamah Paynin, Samuel Charles Aforo, Richrad Charles Koomson and two other unknown persons.
A statement signed by Dr. Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah, Executive Secretary of the NRC said the exercise was carried out on the strength of an order obtained from a magistrate court at Osu, Accra on Thursday, April 17, 2003.
It said the Commission had not handed over any remains to any of the families because a considerable amount of work remained to be done before any handing over could take place.
The statement said the exhumation was conducted by a team of doctors from the Pathology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and a forensic anthropologist from the School of Medical Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Present were officials of the Commission, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ministry of Health and some relatives of the deceased persons.
According to the statement, the pathologists at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital were yet to conduct post mortem examination on the remains, adding that they would also conduct forensic tests, including DNA, to help in identifying the remains.
"The Commission wishes to emphasise that this exhumation is in keeping with its obligation under the National Reconciliation Commission Act (Act 611) to provide healing and redress to aggrieved persons as part of the national reconciliation exercise."
It said the Commission did not shift the date of the exhumation to accommodate a request of any family member of the deceased as reported in a private Newspaper, adding that lack of logistics and having to bring all the people concerned together brought about the delay.
The statement had, meanwhile called on the general public, relatives and friends the following persons believed to have been executed by firing squad on or about May 20, 1986 to contact the Executive Secretary of the Commission at its offices at the Old Parliament House for an important discussion.
They are A.B. Karikari, Sgt. R. Kwaku, Samuel Torsoo, Kwaku Torsoo, George Badame, Anthony Kofie, Seidu Salifu, Suleimana (also known as 'Killer') Seth Amponsah and Kwame Addo.
