Apam (C/R), Sept 12, GNA - The Chief of Apam, Nana Edu Effrim X has urged African Heads of State to select about three languages to be studied in schools throughout the continent to make communication between African countries easier.

Nana Effrim expressed disappointment that in West Africa English and French were the common languages but that English-speaking countries could not communicate with their French counterparts without engaging interpreters.

He made the appeal when a delegation from Mali visited Apam to understudy the good practices of the Gomoa West District Oversight Committee of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

The Malian delegation was in the country to understudy the success of the Ghanaian APRM Governing Council.

The Chief said at least the study of English and French must be made compulsory in schools in the sub-region to facilitate movement in the region.

He said speaking a common language would also facilitate unity among the people.

In a welcome address, Mr Theophilus Aidoo-Mensah, Gomoa West District Chief Executive said the District Assembly had supported the District Oversight Committee (DOC) with funds to hold their activities.

He commended the DOC for being active and said it had impacted positively on the revenue collection for the Assembly.

Mr Aidoo-Mensah, who is also the President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), proposed a sister-city relationship between Gomoa West and a relevant District in Mali.

Dr Mark Nii Lamptey, Chairman of the DOC appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund to set aside one per cent of the Fund to be allocated to the APRM to enhance its operations. Dr Lamptey, who is the Manager of the Gomoaman Health Insurance Scheme, appealed for early release of the national Programme of Action by the APRM Governing Council.

Mr Dauda Kone, leader of the visiting delegation expressed satisfaction with what they had learnt about the DOC and the entire APRM in Ghana.