A WELCOME GESTURE (OCT 16, 2008)

THE government took another major step towards reconciling the nation by its decision to deconfiscate the assets of some prominent Ghanaians whose assets were confiscated by various military regimes in the country.
The move, said to be part of the recommendations of the National Reconciliation Commission established in 2002 to heal the wounds inflicted on those whose rights were trampled upon during the country’s military regimes, can only be described as fitting and refreshing.
Under military regimes, there was utter disregard for the rule of law, freedom of expression and other civil liberties. The press was gagged, Parliament dissolved and the Judiciary made an appendage of the executive arm of government, thereby denying the people their right to seek redress.
Thus, some of the personalities whose assets are being disconfiscated today were tried in very bizarre circumstances without the right to appeal. They were insulted and humiliated, and yet they could do little or nothing under those very trying circumstances.
The deconfiscation of the assets by the state, therefore, is a step in the right direction to heal the wounds of those who were wrongfully treated.
Unfortunately, many of those whose assets were confiscated have died, perhaps out of frustration in seeking redress. Be that as it may, the original owners definitely have family members who can benefit from the government gesture.
We are reliably informed that the return of the assets will be on a “where is, as is basis”. In other words, the owners will take them in whatever condition they find them. But the DAILY GRAPHIC thinks that the state cannot just hand over assets to the rightful owners without due regard to the transformation that some of the properties have undergone.
Beneficiaries of such properties deserve better and the state should, in addition to handing over those properties to their owners, pay some monetary compensation so that the owners can rehabilitate them.
The gesture to reconcile the nation must be total and the government’s move should not leave any lingering doubts in the minds of the people. The gesture should also remind us, as a people, to respect the rights of every citizen and not trample upon them with impunity.
The rule of law can only endure if we follow benchmarks for attaining such a goal. As a people, we must exercise restraint and seek redress in our law courts, instead of deciding to cut corners, only to return to a state of nature where violence and brute force prevail.
Never again should our dear nation go through the harrowing experiences of a military rule. We should not allow our rights to be trampled upon by a few self-seekers, and never again should we kowtow to the whims and caprices of so-called liberators, redeemers and revolutionaries.
A line in our National Anthem urges us to “resist oppressor’s rule” and we must all be prepared to do just that if this country is to consolidate the few gains it has chalked up under the democratic dispensation.
As the various beneficiaries wait with bated breath for the government to formally hand over their assets to them, the DAILY GRAPHIC sincerely appeals to each and every one of them to forgive and forget the bitter past in order that we may forge ahead in unity.