In response to opposed views of his political opponents, Nkrumah introduced the Preventative Detention Act (PDA) which gave the President the power to arrest those whose actions appeared to him as not being conducive to public peace and order.
The PDA was used as a tool to victimize and unlawfully incarcerate popular members and leaders of the NLM such as Baffour Osei Akoto, Chief linguist to the Asantehene( see, RE AKOTO & 7 others Supreme Court case) and Dr. J.B Danquah who was Nkrumah’s major political opponent at the time.
A general election was held in 1969 and was won by the Progress Party (Ghana), a branch of the NLM led by Kofi Abrefa Busia.
In 1975, the government changed from the NRC to the Supreme Military Council (Ghana) still led by Acheampong.
In 1979, an attempted military coup brought Rawlings and his Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, Ghana to power.
Rawlings declared a 'holy war' aimed "at restructuring national political institutions, establishing genuine democracy based on Ghanaian ideals and traditions, and rehabilitating the economy.
The opposition won enough seats to oppose constitutional changes which was a true step in the path of democracy.
The objective of the commission was to establish an accurate representation of the human rights violations between three time periods over forty years during political unrest.
[6] It was given a year to complete its work and findings but it was able to extend the length for another six months when the hearings concluded in July 2004.
[1] The Commission allowed investigation into when the country was in political unrest after independence (1966–69, 1972–1979, and 1981–1993) and the human violations that went with it.
The mandate allowed the commissioners to address killings, abductions, disappearances, detention, torture and illegal seizure of property.
[5][6] The Commissioners were allowed to look into other human rights violations if they found that it would help achieve reconciliation.
They were allowed to search premises without mandate and those who refused to give access were bought to court.
[7] The report concludes that the government during these years highly contributed to the "legacy of human rights abuse" and concluded that law enforcement institutions and the military were responsible for the majority of the abuses and human rights violations.
They executed six military officials who had previously served in the military including Lt. General Akwasi Afrifa, Rear Admiral Joy Amedume, Major General R.E.A Kotei, Colonel Roger Joseph Felli as well as two political leaders: Ignatius Kutu Acheampong and F.W.K Akuffo.
[citation needed] The report outlined a comprehensive reparation program that included apologies, memorials and monetary compensation, the return of stolen property and the establishment of medical trauma facilities.
The Commission recommended monetary reparations for approximately 3000 victims of human rights violations during Rawlings' rule.