Second survey report on human rights abuses launched

Takoradi, Aug 10, GNA - Mr Ebo Quashie, a Takoradi-based private legal practitioner and a past President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), on Thursday called on people to guard against human rights abuses to strengthen the country's democracy.

He made the call when launching "Opinions of Victims", views of victims of the country's past human rights abuse based on a survey conducted by Ghana Centre For Democratic Development (CDD) at Takoradi. It is the second survey report on views of victims collated after the public hearings of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC). Mr Quashie, who is a member of the Police Council, said democracy was the best means of preventing human rights abuses.

He said the survey report indicated that the work of the NRC was positive and majority of the respondents expressed views that the work of the commission helped unite the country and the victims to reconcile. Mr Quashie said majority of the respondents recommended that the commission should be established again and reparation and payment of compensation should be fast tracked.

Mr Quashie said the report also showed there were misgivings about the delay in the payment of compensation.

He said at a recent meeting of the Police Council, the Council decided to return one of the houses of Dr Kofi Busia, former Prime Minister of the country, that is being used by the police.

Mr Quashie said this is a good sign that the work of NRC has made an impact.

Mr Daniel Armah-Attoh, Senior Research Officer of CDD, said the survey was conducted in the Greater Accra, Northern, Ashanti, Eastern, Western and Central regions in March.

He said about 102 victims of human rights abuses were interviewed to determine their level of awareness of the work of NRC, media coverage of proceedings of the commission and their assessment of the NRC. Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Omanhene of Western Nzema Traditional Area who presided, urged the people to cultivate and develop the culture of reconciliation.