Governance report on Ghana Released

+: Consolidation of democracy, corporate governance
- : Govt controls Legislature, Endemic Corruption
ABUJA -- A report unveiled by Africa leaders on Ghana, applauded the "success in consolidating democracy", but criticised the lack of separation between the legislature and executive.

According to a summary of the findings distributed to journalists, it saw poor public service delivery and a prevalence of corruption in public administration, but noted a strong performance on corporate governance. It said Ghana is unlikely to meet targets for reducing poverty, providing universal education, reducing child mortality or combating AIDS.

It recommended reviewing the land law and called for the creation of a central anti-corruption body, more affirmative action for women and more decentralisation.

The African leaders released the first two in a series of country reports on Sunday aimed at showcasing government reforms in Africa and reassuring donors that any new funds will not be squandered.

The 250-page reports, analysing Rwanda and Ghana's performance in human rights, democracy and economic development, are part of a new home-grown initiative that will now be applied to four more countries before the end of the year.

The reports and the reforms they are designed to promote form the basis upon which Africa has appealed for a dramatic increase in aid and debt relief from the Group of Eight rich nations to combat poverty and spur economic growth.

African leaders at a summit attended by six heads of state, out of a total 23 invited, got the first glimpse of the reports which are expected to be made public within six months.

Abdoulie Janneh, Africa director of the United Nations Development Programme, told Reuters: "This is the most credible litmus test of Africa's commitment to improving governance".

Global business leaders recently complained that the peer reviews, which began two years ago, were moving too slowly.

But Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo signalled that the process would speed up now to include Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria and Algeria before the end of the year.

"No matter what afro-pessimists and professional cynics might proclaim, this is progress," Obasanjo told the summit.

As part of the review process, the governments of Ghana and Rwanda have drawn up a plan of action to address weaknesses, which would be budgeted and timetabled. Each country then reports back with a progress report after a year.

"We are not before the forum as people in the dock. We are here among brothers to see our reflection so that we can correct the path we make in terms of governance and good leadership for economic development and upholding human rights," said Ghanaian President John Kufuor.