Two member- countries of the African Peer Review Mechanism, Ghana and the Republic of Benin, held an international roundtable meeting in Accra on the 20th” of April 2009. The roundtable discussed the establishment of a West African sub-regional body that would seek common grounds and exchange ideas on the practical aspects in the implementation of the APRM.
The Republic of Togo, which recently acceded to the APRM, attended as an observer along with Development Partners – Hanns Seidel Foundation, KFW and GTZ all in Germany, University of Aalborg in Denmark, CIDA and the University of Quebec at Montreal, Canada. Initiated by Ghana in collaboration with Benin, the meeting decided to establish a West African Centre for the Advancement of the APRM (WACAA).
The Chairman of Ghana’s Governing Council, Rev. Prof. S.K. Adjepong traced the history of NEPAD, the birth of the APRM and Ghana’s performance as the first country to be peer reviewed and her collaboration, especially with other countries.
He said the meeting was a result of Ghana’s sustained commitment as well as measures instituted to share experiences first and foremost with Benin. It was also an opportunity to continue with the dialogue with Development Partners who have demonstrated faith in Ghana’s APRM Process.
Development Partners
The Chairperson of Benin’s APRM Commission, Madam de Rego Bernadine commended Ghana’s Governing Council for the tremendous support to Benin through all the stages of its APRM review process and was happy that the two countries have moved beyond support to collaborate to establish the West African Centre for the Advancement of the APRM.
The Executive Secretary of the African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council Secretariat, Dr. Francis Appiah explained that the establishment of the shared regional knowledge-based organization will be different from the mandate of the APRM Secretariat in South Africa and the ECOWAS Commission in Nigeria. It would also among other things ensure popular ownership and participation in the APRM process, the building of a bridge between state and civil society and enhance policies and standards that promote regional co-operation and integration.
He added that the unique features of a West African Centre for the Advancement of the APRM include;
- Reliance on the practical experiences of the participating countries at different levels of implementation
- Contribute to the breakdown of linguistic barriers which have impeded the West African integration process
- Opportunities for member countries to share experiences on common problems with common solutions
- Avoid a re-invention of the wheel for new countries.
At the end of the meeting, Ghana and Benin were tasked to set up a Steering Committee to follow up on a number of issues including:|
- Mobilization of civil society participation
- Continued dialogue with partners
- Determination of the legal status of the Centre
- Preparation towards a sub-regional conference by the end of the year.
Dr. Francis Appiah was commended highly commended the unparalleled attendance of the media.
Both the print and electronic media were acknowledged for the interest shown and were encouraged to keep it up because the media is considered an integral part of the entire APRM process.
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