Sunyani, June 3, GNA - Residents of Sunyani Municipality were on Tuesday urged not to link the activities of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) with any political party so every individual could participate fully and contribute to the sustainability of the mechanism. Reverend Richard Owusu Acheaw, Chairman of the municipal oversight committee, said this at a one-day public education forum on the mechanism in Sunyani.

The forum was aimed at creating awareness on the principles and operations of the APRM and to facilitate popular participation in the implementation of the National Programme of Action at the local level. Organized by the Sunyani municipal oversight committee of the African Peer Review Mechanism, the forum brought together participants including representatives of the Municipal Assembly, National Commission for Civic Education, National Disaster Management Organization, National Youth Council, political parties, traditional rulers and religious leaders.

Rev Acheaw said APRM "is not a political colony and does not belong to any political party" and urged the public to offer their views and suggestions.

He said that the committee was much interested in individual opinions to help it address particular problems in the municipality as well as at the regional level to ensure the nation's accelerated development.

The chairman said financial aid receive by some African countries from their partners depended much on the APRM report, hence the need for the general public to submit their suggestions on the nation's economy. He urged political parties not to use APRM in their political statements when campaigning and advised them to do their best to maintain the peace before, during and after the December elections.