Be Neutral - Prof. Asante reminds APRM members

Winneba (C/R) Jan.14, GNA - Professor S. K. B. Asante, member of the National African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Governing Council on Tuesday advised members to remain non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.

Inaugurating the APRM Oversight Committee's 121st branch in the Effutu Municipality at Winneba, Prof. Asante stressed that the practices and actions of members should strictly be in accordance with the procedures of the Governing Council.

He said the APRM was absolutely a non-partisan entity, explaining, "it is a system that is to share best practices in respect to good governance and economic development for the people." Members, he said, were representing the entire community and should, therefore, work hard, without fear or favour and to sensitize the public on the goals of APRM.

The nine-member committee has Mr. Ambrose Entsiwah, Awutu-Senya district Co-ordinator of the National Service Scheme, as its chairman. Ambassador Alex N. Abankwa, another member of the Council, further explained that APRM was an African self monitoring system. It is a voluntary body and its assessment does not only cover the executive arm of government but governance in general, including the private sector, civil society and professional associations.

Ambassador Abankwa asked the citizenry to support the local committee members to work efficiently to move the district forward. Dr Francis Appiah, Executive Secretary of the National Governing Council, said, APRM was people-centred, people-owned and its processes focused on broad-based participation and national consensus building. Dr. Appiah advised the local members to mobilize the people and educate them to understand the relevance of APRM. The Omanhene of Effutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII, who chaired the function, called on the people in the municipality of give the necessary assistance the members of the committee to ensure success.