President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked Council members of Ghana’s African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to ensure that Ghana is accessed and reviewed objectively and independently based on the criteria set out by the APRM.
Ghana, according to the President, “is committed to the African Peer Review Mechanism to which it acceded” and was determined to submit itself for a second review after the first review in 2006.
Addressing the seven-member Council at the Jubilee House on Thursday after administering the official oath and the oath of secrecy to them, President Akufo-Addo said, “the realisation of this (the 2nd review) will mean that Ghana can join others on the continent who have undertaken their second reviews.”
“I want to assure the governing council of the government’s determination to ensure that this is done so our country can continue to maintain and strengthen its status as a trailblazer of good governance in West Africa,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“The independence and political neutrality of Ghana’s governing council is crucial to the successful execution of its mandate.
“I charge all of you to remain independent, professional and dedicated to the objectives of the APRM in accessing and reviewing governance under the four thematic areas of democracy and political governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance and broad base socio-economic development,” the President added.
President Akufo-Addo said he was aware of the accommodation and logistical challenges bedevilling the work of the council and assured the members that his office had initiated the process to address all the loopholes hindering the work of the Council.
“I assure you that these deficiencies will soon be addressed. I have been informed of the process currently ongoing for the enactment of an enabling Act of Parliament for the Council which I hope can be expedited.”
Despite its enviable position in the APRM, President Akufo-Addo noted that Ghana “has never been represented in the African Peer Review Panel.”
“This is a charge I am putting before you. Demonstrate to the continent once again Ghana’s worth and capability by getting her onto the APR panel,” President Akufo-Addo noted.
Council member, Mr Samuel Akuamoah Asare, expressed optimism about the promise of the President to fix the logistical challenges of APRM, Ghana, promising that the Council would work hard to see to it that Ghana submits itself for the much delayed 2nd review.
The APRM council comprises Most Rev Professor Emmanuel Asante, Mr Samuel Akuamoah Asare, Mr Richard Quayson, Mr Laud Mansfield Baddoo, Mrs Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, Mr David Asante-Apeatu and Kathleen Quartey-Ayensu.
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was established in 2003 by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC), as an instrument for African Union (AU) the Member States to voluntarily self-monitor their governance performance.
APRM is a voluntary arrangement amongst African states to systematically assess and review governance at the Head of State peer level to promote political stability, accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration, economic growth and sustainable development.
By acceding to the APRM, Member States agree to independently review their compliance with African and international governance commitments.
Performance and progress are measured in four thematic areas, namely, democracy and political governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance and socio-economic development.
Each review leads to a national programme of action for the state concerned to address the problems identified.
A national monitoring body prepares six-monthly and annual reports on progress in implementing the national programme of action for submission to meetings of the APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government.
Country review reports are made available to the public after the APRM Forum peer review.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
