Mr Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Member of the National African Peer Review Mechanism- Governing Council (NAPRM-GC) has urged members of the public to participate fully in the democratisation and good governance processes to deepen grassroots inclusiveness. He stressed that participation and grassroots involvement erases discontentment and reactivates the governance processes for self-actualisation.

Mr Kuenyehia said this in an address read on his behalf at a validation workshop on draft district Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) governance report for the Hohoe Municipality in the Volta Region. He said the objective of the District Governance Assessment Project will accord stakeholders at the district level the opportunity to review the quality of governance processes, identify strengths and weaknesses and devise strategies to consolidate governance and service delivery.

“It is to make fair assessment based on truth,” Mr Kuenyehia added.
He said APRM is not a partisan political exercise but one that has trajectory towards improving the socio-economic well-being of all citizens.
“It is complete departure from government initiating programmes and self-evaluating itself.”

Mr Kuenyehia indicated that government signed first onto APRM in 2003, an initiative of the African Union towards curing uprising and destabilisation in some countries on the continent with 32 countries subscribing to it, representing 75 per cent of the population. He said NAPRM-GC acknowledges the immense contribution of the National Commission for Civic Education and financial and technical competence of development partners especially the Hanns Seidel Foundation, German Development Co-operation and the Swiss Embassy.

Mr Amishadai Owusu, Chairman of the Municipal APRM Oversight Committee, who presented the draft report, said 300 citizens’ report cards were issued.
He said the areas sampled were;  democracy and good governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance, security, civic responsibility, access to justice, child rights, public services, food security, grievances and dissatisfaction, education, health and corruption.
Mr Owusu indicated its successes include grassroots enthusiasm, ownership and de-politicisation of the scheme.

Dr Margret Kweku, Municipal Chief Executive, expressed appreciation for the research results, saying it will deepen grassroots participation in the governance process, improve rule of law, engender transparency and curb corruption.
She entreated members of the Municipal Committee to mainstream sanitation and environmental issues, security, indiscipline and the formation of civic clubs in schools to bridge the gap.

Dr Michael Ahedor, Municipal Director of Health, remarked that large turn-overs resulting from the National Health Insurance Scheme are exerting pressure on facilities and medical staff with irregular payment of claims being an affront to healthcare delivery.

Source: GNA

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