Kufuor expresses satisfaction with APRM

Accra, Jan. 25 GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has expressed satisfaction with the renewed interest by his colleague leaders to sign up to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) after Ghana voluntarily underwent the review process during the Sixth African Union (AU) Summit in Khartoum, Sudan.

He also heartily welcomed criticisms and comments made by the Heads of State when he presented himself at a forum for Ghana to be peer reviewed, a press release from the Office of the Press Secretary, said in Accra on Wednesday.

Mr Kwabena Agyapong, the Presidential Spokesperson, conveyed the sentiments of President Kufuor in a post summit interview with Journalists.

The forum provided an opportunity for the African Leaders to quiz President Kufuor on a wide range of issues including the programme of action to remedy shortcomings identified in the Country Report. Twenty-six African Heads of State, whose countries have agreed to undergo an APRM country review, constitute the Review Panel. The release said Leaders, who attended the Khartoum summit were impressed with President Kufuor's performance and for upholding the tenets of good governance and creating a democratic platform for Ghana's development.

President Kufuor was lauded not just for being the first to have submitted his leadership to scrutiny by his peers but also for exhibiting sound leadership and governance extraordinaire during his first four-year term.

Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia of Algeria described Ghana's progress under President Kufuor as "extraordinary and impressive." President Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso saw his performance as an epitome of remarkable leadership on the Continent of Africa. He said it was a proof that Africa could boast of sound leadership pointing out: "If a country is working properly, then it is obvious that leadership is working properly."