Ghana, Gambia to dialogue on death of Ghanaians

Page 14, Nov 10, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE government is pursuing dialogue with the authorities of The Gambia to ensure that the families of some Ghanaians who were killed in that country receive adequate compensation for the murder of their relatives.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD, Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, who made this known yesterday, said it would be “an extremist action” by the government to sever diplomatic relations with The Gambia in the quest to pursue justice for the killing of the Ghanaians and other West African nationals in that country.
The minister stated the position of the government when he appeared before Parliament to answer a question posed to him by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bole/Bamboi, Mr John Dramani Mahama.
The MP, whose question was asked on his behalf by the MP for Ningo-Prampram, Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, wanted to know about the findings of Ghana’s investigative team into the killing of Ghanaians and other West African nationals in The Gambia.
The minister stated that an agreement had been reached to set up a three-member fact-finding panel, comprising the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, as chairperson, and a representative each of the governments of Ghana and The Gambia.
Mr Osei-Adjei explained that Ghana had chosen a former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Co-operation of Mauritius, Ambassador Vijay Makhan to represent it on the panel.
He said currently, Ambassador Makhan was awaiting his appointment by the United Nations, which was expected to be completed by November 9, 2008 before travelling to Ghana to hold discussions with the government and then proceed to Abuja to join other members of the panel to commence work.
The work is expected to last one and a half months.
Mr Osei-Adjei stated that the recourse to independent investigations under the aegis of the ECOWAS and the UN provided a diplomatic way forward that brought The Gambia on board the process to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of the Ghanaians.
“The government eagerly awaits the findings of the independent panel and wishes to reassure the families of the victims that it remains committed to ensuring that the matter is brought to a just and satisfactory conclusion,” he said.