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 end the matter peacefully. The team, led by Curtis Ward, an advisor to the UN, includes a representative each of the governments of Ghana and the Gambia. An ECOWAS statement said the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, inaugurated the team in Abuja.
The function was witnessed by the Director of Africa in the Department of Political Affairs at the UN, Sammy Kum Buo as well as officials from Ghana and Gambia. The team, to be supported by experts, will be based at the Headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja. The statement said Mr. Ward will visit the Gambia and Ghana shortly for preliminary discussions with government officials. The team was established at the request of the two governments, to peacefully end the matter in consistent with the principles of justice and respect for human rights and human dignity. It added that the final resolution of the matter will also help to restore and strengthen the traditionally cordial relations between the two countries.
