The NAPRM governing body calls for cooperation

Bolgatanga, July 16, GNA- The National African Peer Review Mechanism (NAPRM) Governing Council on Thursday, called on all Ghanaians to cooperate with its reviewing and monitoring exercise in the country. "This would help us all examine our individual performance and that of the various sectors of the economy with to putting things in the right order for sustainable development".

Rev. Professor S.K. Adjepong, Chairman of the Council was speaking at a forum organized by the NAPRM Governing Council at Bolgatanga to sensitise the public on the role of the Council and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

Professor Adjepong said the Governing Council, made up of seven eminent members was set up four months ago as an independent and non-partisan body to monitor and review various sectors of the economy and also come out with recommendations as to what was best for the country.

"For the first time, we are taking a look at ourselves, and we cannot fail Ghana and Africa", he said.

He explained that APRM was an instrument voluntarily acceded to by member states of the African Union (AU) as an African self-monitoring mechanism

Professor Adjepong said the main purpose of the APRM was to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that would lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration. He said could be done through sharing of experiences and reinforcement of successful and best practice, and assessing the needs for capacity building.

Its guiding principle is to ensure that every review exercise carried out under its authority was technically competent, credible and free of political manipulations.

Dr. Francis Appiah, Executive Secretary of the Council said that the APRM would afford African leaders an opportunity to take critical look at the continent, work together and see how best they could guide the development of countries.

He said the numerous conflicts and corruption in many African nations have retarded the development of the continent and put most of its people among the poorest in the world.

Mr Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional Minister said the NAPRM was good for the nation as it would continue to give an honest situation report and tell the performance rate of the country.

He urged the Council to use its independence, impartiality, integrity and objectivity to give a fair assessment of all the institutions in governance so that a credible report would be made available for all.