African Peer Review Panel expected in Ghana next month

Accra, March 18, GNA - The African Peer Review Panel made up of Eminent Persons with the mandate to exercise oversight of the Peer Review process to ensure its independence, professionalism and credibility is expected in Ghana next month.
President John Agyekum Kufuor announced this when he inaugurated a seven-member National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council at the Castle, Osu on Thursday.
He said the Review process was part of the renaissance of Africa under the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and the African Union (AU) to modernize the Continent and try to secure its place in the comity of nations and in globalisation.
President Kufuor said Ghana opted for the review process in terms of governance to ensure that the three arms of government, the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary functioned properly within the tenets of the Constitution.
"We want to see the body politic, civil society, the economic entity and all other sectors whether they relate to make governance good for the people", he said.
He said distinguished Ghanaians were chosen to serve on the Council to appreciate the Review concept, assess Ghana's own situation of governance and bring consciousness on the best practices of democracy. President Kufuor asked the Council to be independent and objective in their operations to undertake Ghana's review specifically and work with the Review Panel of Eminent Persons.
He cautioned that Ghana, volunteered herself to be reviewed, therefore, any assistance from Government should not make them to flatter the Government but they should be objective about governance in Ghana to get all stakeholders to move in the right direction to enhance good governance to ensure that the nation developed democratically.
Professor S. K. Adjapong, Principal of the Methodist University and Chairman of the Council, said it was an opportunity for the members to serve Ghana and Africa.
He said it was a challenge but pledged their total commitment and service to Ghana and Africa.
The Chairman said although Ghana volunteered to accede to the Review to ensure that policies and practices were in conformity to NEPAD the Review demanded complete dedication of the institutions involved in the process.
Professor Adjapong said the process depended on public spiritedness to effect the changes demanded by the process and sensitivity to people's cultures and practices.
"We will work hard without fear or favour to make Ghana a role model among her peers", he said.
The review process is a self-monitoring mechanism intended to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that would lead to political stability, high economic growth rate and sustainable development.
It would also accelerate sub-regional and continental economic integration through the sharing of experiences and the reinforcement of successful best practice, including identifying deficiencies and assessing the needs of capacity building.
Other members of the Council are, Mrs Gloria Ofori-Boadu, Founder and President of Women Assistance and Business Association, Mr Nutifafa Kofi Kuenyehia, a private legal practitioner and Professor S.K. B. Asante, an International Consultant.
The rest are, Professor Miranda Greenstreet, Formerly of the Institute of Adult Education, University of Ghana (UG) Legon, the Most Reverend Paul Bemile, Catholic Bishop of Wa and Mr Alex Abankwa, a Career Diplomat.