Truth and reconciliation commissions, restorative justice, peacemaking criminology, and development

This paper argues that restorative justice approaches such as truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) and peacemaking criminology could greatly enhance a country's democratic practice paving the way for wider societal development. Drawing on the example of Ghana's National Reconciliation Commission, the paper contends that the principles and practices of restorative justice and peacemaking criminology do not only enhance our understanding of the aims and significance of TRCs but also serve victims, the community, and perpetrators better than a criminal prosecution approach in a country's effort to address post-conflict justice. This provides an enabling environment for democracy to take root giving rise to political stability and societal development.