12 February 2007 (PANA)-- A report by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) said Ghanaians had expressed delight at the level of economic progress, human rights, security, democracy and good governance, according to the official newsletter of NEPAD (the New Partnership for Africa's Development."Ghanaians are of the opinion that the security system is offering them protection against torture (48%), arbitrary detection (59%), violent crime (armed robbery 59%), ethnic conflict (60%) and domestic violence (53%)," says the newsletter, obtained here by PANA, about the annual progress report on the implementation of APRM in the country.

On the economic governance and management, the report said: "The economy continues to experience deepening macro economic stability and resilience, with rising GDP growth, diminishing inflationary expectations, a stable currency and a build-up of secondary reserves."

In addition, the survey also ranked the country as the number one 'easiest place' to do business in West Africa and the 9th in Africa.The support to the private sector, especially micro and small enterprises, was equally mentioned as noteworthy, while improved access to water and sanitation also received kudos. However, a great number of Ghanaians (89%) believe corruption was widespread in the public sector, against 23% which thought the government was doing enough to fight the menace.It said the Whistle blowers Act 2006 (Act 720) had been passed and the Freedom of Information Bill, a major mechanism for fighting corruption, revised and submitted to the Minister of Justice for consideration.

The report also scored Ghana high in the fight against child trafficking, child labour, and cultural practices harmful to women, promotion and protection of women's rights.

"The Criminal Code of 1998 has been amended to criminalise harmful widowhood rites and ritual servitude. A straightened law on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been presented to the Parliament," the report added.