Recommend compensation packages for victims of atrocities

Kumasi, July 1, GNA - A cleric has suggested to the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) to make payment of compensation packages as part of its recommendation in its final report to the President.

Reverend Joseph K. Gyimah, leader of the True Light of Christ Church, who made the suggestion said, even though the focus of the Commission is reconciliation, it will be difficult achieving such a goal without actually compensating those who suffered heavy losses. Rev. Gyimah was speaking on the topic: "Reconciliation, The Role Of The Church" at a symposium organised by the Men's Fellowship of the church in Kumasi on Wednesday.

He said, since some people incurred very heavy losses in terms of destruction of their properties and loss of loved ones, it will not be that easy to forget the pain without granting them a token compensation. "It will be easy to forgive but difficult for someone who has suffered serious losses to forgive perpetrators of such a pain without any compensation", he stressed.

Rev. Gyimah said, since the victims of atrocities who have appeared before the Commission were so many, it will not be possible to compensate all of them but that a mechanism should be worked out to help identify those who genuinely incurred heavy losses in terms of destruction of properties and loved ones and compensate them.

He acknowledged the laudable work of the commission and advised the panel members to be wary of some people who might appear before it only to make statements that will derail all the laudable gains the NRC has already made as it draws to the end of its work.

Rev. Gyimah entreated the Commission to help sustain their good work by being tolerant of even provocative utterances and statements of all persons who appear before it.