Accra, Aug. 20, GNA - Mrs Mary Chinery Hesse of Ghana has been appointed as the West African representative on

African Union (AU) Panel of The Wise for a first three-year term, a release from the AU Commission said on Friday.

Other members of the Panel appointed for their first term are Former President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia for Southern

Africa and Mrs Marie Madeleine Kalala-Ngoy of the Democratic Republic of Congo for Central Africa.

Former President Ahmed Ben Bella of Algeria for North Africa and Dr Salim Ahmed Salim of Tanzania for East Africa,

were appointed for their second and final three-year terms.

The Panel of the Wise is constituted under the terms of Article 11 of the Protocol Relating to the establishment of the Peace

and Security Council of the AU, in order to support the efforts of the Council and those of the Chairperson of the Commission,

particularly in the area of conflict prevention.

The Panel members are selected from among highly respected African personalities of high integrity and independence, who

have made outstanding contribution to Africa in the areas of peace, security and development. They should not be holding active

political office at the time of their appointment or during their tenure as Panel Members.