APRM DISTRICT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES INAUGURATED

20th August, 2009 By: Regina Atule, Damongo

Four Districts oversight committees of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has been inaugurated at Damongo in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region.

Addressing the participants the DCE of West Gonja District Hon. Adam Mutawakilu said, research had shown that Africa is the poorest continent in the world despite its numerous natural resources. This situation he said, is attributed to poor governance.

The DCE pointed out that, concepts such as the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and APRM among others had been established by Africa leaders in an attempt to find solution to this problem.

He said establishing APRM oversight committees at the District level confirmed the commitment of Ghana in finding solutions to Africa’s problems the African way.

He noted that APRM is not an assessment of political leaders or party functionaries but rather a process by which ordinary citizens are given the opportunity to diagnose the country’s development challenges.

Ghana our beloved country is now a shining example for being the first country in sub Saharan Africa to be peered reviewed he said, adding that this grassroots participation in APRM system is a yet another feather in our cup interns of our democratic credentials.

The DCE reminded participants of the government’s commitment to promote good governance by building strong institutions to guide the operations of the machinery of government. He said it is therefore the hope of government that citizens will also cooperate with relevant institutions in the country to facilitate development.

In his remarks, Bishop Paul Bemile member of the APRM – GC said the formation of the APRM system will help foster growth and development, peace, security and democracy.

Also he said it will foster sound economic and corporate governance as well as partnership.

Bishop Paul disclosed that 132 districts have been inaugurated in all the ten regions and these committees will help monitor the developmental activities of their districts.

The districts inaugurated included Bole, Sawla –Tuna –Kalba, Central Gonja and West Gonja.

The occasion was witnessed by officials from APRM secretariat, Assembly Members, Heads of departments, Traditional Authorities and Civil Society groups.