Akilagpa Sawyerr Heads SAP Review Committee

Accra, (Greater Accra) 3 Nov., Professor Akilagkpa Sawyerr today said the decision to set up the National Steering Committee of the Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiative (SAPRI) is neither an attempt to attack governments nor their policies. Prof. Sawyerr, Independent Chairman of the committee yet to be launched in Ghana, said the objective is to bring into dialogue more voices, policy makers and civil society to dilate on how they are affected by the various policies under implementation. Speaking at a press conference in Accra to create awareness and an environment for broad participation in the event, Prof. Sawyerr noted that there was the need for transparency and independence to make the work of the committee not only smooth but credible. SAPRI is a world body to review the impact of the structural adjustment lending and policy advice. The exercise is to ascertain how the participation of local, broad based civil society can improve economic policy-making and produce changes that can lead to significant improvement in people's lives. SAPRI in Ghana is a tripartite body comprising the government of Ghana, the Civil Society Coordinating Council (CIVISOC) and the World Bank. Prof. Sawyerr said the work of the committee will be investigative, consultative and aimed at creating genuine dialogue among the various partners in any given case. He noted that SAPRI is an exercise intended to cultivate a more democratic tradition of economic and social policy making in the country. Moreso, it will be a learning process for the principal actors and may promote the systematic elimination of structural and practical limitations on democratic and mutually supportive relations between them. "The SAPRI process may help narrow gaps, change misperceptions and promote trust and respect in the relations between state and civil groups''. He urged Ghanaians to be ready to offer information on certain vital facts that the committee might require adding that the committee will ensure that each partner has a fair hearing. Prof. Sawyerr said it is wrong for any person or group of persons to say that a review of the Structural Adjustment Programme indicates its failure. "There have been various views expressed on the programme and it is important that the debate be put on a broader perspective for balanced discussion''. He asked participatory bodies of the committee to be responsible to the task, saying "they need to always be in touch with their principals". Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, interim secretary of the committee noted that the discussion will take place on a regional, district, communal and household levels to disseminate as well as collate information needed for the findings of the committee. He said after this, there will be a National Forum to review economic policies under implementation since 1993 with a second next year to discuss the findings of the committee. The committee has 18 months to complete the exercise..