A commission set up to investigate human rights abuses in Ghana has begun hearing petitions from people who say they, or their families, suffered during past periods of military rule.

The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), modelled on South Africa's truth and reconciliation commission, is looking into allegations of torture and killings.

The commission was created last year, and has received some 2,800 separate petitions since September.

Many of them deal with the period between 1982 and 1992 during the rule of former president Jerry Rawlings, when it is alleged that some 300 people disappeared.

The BBC's reporter in Accra, Kwaku Sakyi Addo, says that the process has been criticised in some quarters on the grounds that it will rake up old disputes.

But he adds that many people are merely trying to find out where their lost loved ones might be buried.

Testimony

The work began with a two-hour opening ceremony at the former parliament house in Accra.

Rawlings staged two military coups

The first testimony heard by the nine-member panel was from 67-year-old Emmanuel Adjaye, who wept as he told the court of his almost two years in jail.

He was held in prison without charge following the 1966 coup against Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah.

None of the complaints filed at the NRC can lead to a criminal prosecution but the commission can recommend compensation for victims.

President John Kufuor promised to set up the panel after defeating the candidate of Mr Rawlings' party in elections three years ago.

Supporters of Mr Rawlings have accused the government of conducting a witch-hunt against officials of the former administration.