PROFESSOR Abena Dolphyne, a member of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), has stated that the commission is not a judicial inquiry that investigates and prosecutes perpetrators who appear before it.

She said that the commission does not have the mandate to prosecute perpetrators who will give evidence to the commission since it is set up to heal wounds.

Prof. Dolphyne stressed that the commission will not take complaints from any side, but with the help of professional investigators, they will investigate and find out the truth of all allegations and claims lodged.

According to her, the act that sets up the commission stipulates that cases brought before the panel from January 6, 1957 to the time that the country had a constitutional rule are to be heard.

She said that the idea is not to witch-hunt people but to heal wounds and added that any sensitive aspect of a complaint brought before the commission that will disturb the security of the nation will be held in camera.

Abena Dolphyne stated that if the commission invites a person and he fails to appear before it, the commission has the authority to call for evidence from the person to enable its work to be a balanced one since the victim is the focus of the commission.

According to Dolphyne, the commission is made up of persons of diverse religioous and professional backgrounds who have in-depth knowledge and are experienced to work hand in hand with investigators, researchers in handling complaints.

Professor Dolphyne appealed to the general public to come early because if they wait until the time frame set is over the commission cannot take enough evidence publicly on every person who appears before it.

Maulvi A. Wahab Adam, the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, said that facilities will be made available for the handicapped to appear before the commission.

He said the objective of the commission is to heal wounds and bring people together to enable the country achieve its aim of unity and peace which will help to move it forward.

Wahab Adam appealed to traditional rulers and the civil society in general to make the work of the commission a success.

He said it is the hope of the commission that at the end of their work aggrieved people will forgive the perpetrators to enable peace to prevail in the country.