Accra, Aug. 18, GNA - A joint UN-ECOWAS fact-finding team has been established to investigate the death of some Ghanaians found buried in The Gambia three years ago and to help bring the matter to a peaceful closure.

The team, led by Mr Curtis Ward, an advisor to the UN, includes a representative each of the governments of Ghana and The Gambia, an ECOWAS statement said at the weekend.

Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, President of ECOWAS Commission, inaugurated the team in Abuja. It was witnessed by Mr. Sammy Kum Buo, Director of Africa in the Department of Political Affairs at the UN, as well as Ghanaian and Gambian officials.

The team, to be supported by experts, will be based at the Headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja.

Mr. Ward is expected to visit The Gambia and Ghana shortly for preliminary discussions with government officials.

The team was established at the request of the two Governments, "to bring peaceful closure to this matter, consistent with the principles of justice and respect for human rights and human dignity," the statement said.

The final resolution of the matter will also help to restore and strengthen the traditionally cordial relations between the two countries, it added.