Prez. Mahama Signals Ghana’s Readiness for Second Peer Review Under APRM
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s preparedness to subject its governance systems to a comprehensive peer review under the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), describing the process as critical to strengthening accountability and democratic governance.
The President made the remarks after swearing in members of the National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM-GC). He said the review would provide Ghana with a valuable opportunity to assess the effectiveness of interventions implemented to improve governance, development, and social equity.
According to President Mahama, the newly constituted Council will steer Ghana’s second-generation peer review, which is scheduled to take place next week on the margins of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“We are willing to open ourselves up to this process, and we will make ourselves available to ensure it is carried out successfully,” the President assured.
Reflecting on Ghana’s history with the APRM, President Mahama noted that the country was among the first African states to accede to the mechanism and voluntarily undergo a full peer review in 2006. He described that initial exercise as a source of national pride, as Ghana’s democratic credentials, systems of accountability, and governance practices were scrutinised by fellow African states.
One of the key outcomes of the 2006 review, he recalled, was the identification of deep development disparities between the northern and southern parts of the country. That finding eventually informed the establishment of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), aimed at addressing persistent inequalities and reducing migration from the north to the south.
“We want to assess where we stand today, whether those gaps have narrowed and what opportunities have been created in previously disadvantaged areas of the country,” President Mahama stated.
The new Governing Council is chaired by Justice (Prof.) Akua Kuenyehia. In her brief remarks, she thanked the President for the confidence reposed in the Council and pledged its commitment to transparency, independence, and professionalism in executing its mandate.
The APRM, established in 2003 by the African Union, is a voluntary self-monitoring instrument designed to promote good governance, political stability, and sustainable development. It encourages national dialogue and peer learning across four thematic areas: democracy and political governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance, and socio-economic development.
