Monrovia – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) are in the country to facilitate two-day capacity building workshop on APRM communications, methodologies and research questionnaires.
Report by J.H. Webster Clayeh – [email protected]
The APRM was established in 2003 is an African Union initiative for promoting good governance within the framework of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
The team in Liberia is headed by APRM Continental Secretariat chief executive officer Edward Maloka.
At the opening of the two-day workshop on Wednesday, Minister of Finance and Development Planning Boima Kamara referenced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Liberia and the subsequent request by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) summit in Nairobi, Kenya for Liberia to be peer reviewed marks a major step taking toward their many engagement.
“In February of this year, the APRM country support mission met with her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and signed a Memorandum of Understanding for technical assistance to the APRM Liberia country program,” he said.
The MFPD Minister further said: “In August also our President also committed in the APRM summit in Nairobi for Liberia to be peer review.
In this regard, I say this gathering marks a major step which is the result of the many engagements”.
The team in Liberia also launched national sensitization campaign to provide technical assistance and capacity building for key stakeholder of the APRM Liberia country program ahead of the conduct of Liberia’s country self-assessment study and country review.
Cautioning all stakeholders to participate in the APRM activities at national and sub-national levels Minister Kamara said:
“We equally wish to encourage all actors to cooperate with the Technical Research Institutes, the National Governing Council and the APRM National Secretarial as Liberia conducts its country self-assessment study”.
“This is not going to be a Monrovia-based exercise, as we implement the new road map; massive sensitization efforts will accompany the conduct of country self-assessment study and review”.
Also making remark Maloka said the exercise is a preparation for Liberia to undertake a full review mission for next year.
“For next year, we are looking at Liberia, and we are looking at Ivory Coast.”
“They wanted to do it this year, but we persuaded them to do it next year,” he said.
Since the establishment of APRM in 2003, 37 countries more than half of Africa’s countries have acceded to the APRM framework.
Liberia acceded to the 14th Forum of Heads of States and Governments of the APRM in January 2011 and made meaningful contributions in terms of representation and participation.
In May 2013, President Sirleaf was appointed chairperson. She served for two years before turning over to President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.
The objectives of the APRM are primarily to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration through experience sharing and reinforcement of successful and best practices, including identifying deficiencies and assessment of requirements for capacity building.
The foundation of the APRM is built around four thematic pillars: Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance and Socio-economic Development.
The APRM is a commonly approved framework voluntarily consented by member states.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf later met with the delegation at the lead of APRM Continental Secretariat and team of Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) during a courtesy call paid on her at her Foreign Ministry Office in Monrovia.
While in Monrovia, the team will provide technical assistance and build the capacities of key stakeholders of the APRM Liberia Country Program ahead of Liberia’s self-assessment study.
According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf received the delegation on Wednesday congratulated Dr. Maloka and team for the visit to Liberia.
President Sirleaf said she was glad that Liberia was on track once again despite the diversion.
“We too see APRM as a tool to work with”. The Liberian leader expressed the hope that before the end of her administration Liberia’s self-assessment study would have taken place and implemented.
In remarks, Prof. Maloka said the team was in Liberia to provide technical assistance, build capacities for stakeholders, conduct sensitization workshop with state and non-state actors on the APRM communication strategies, methodologies and research questionnaire and as well participate in the official launch of the APRM National Sensitization Campaign among other.
He commended President Sirleaf and her government for the conducive atmosphere created and the warm reception they received from people of Liberia since their arrival in Liberia.
He said his team met with Hon. Boima Kamara, Minister of Finance and Development Planning and APRM National Focal person, members of APRM Multi-Sectoral National Governing Council, the APRM National Secretariat, Technical Research Institutes (TRIs) and Strategic Partners at his Ministry.