Koforidua, July 28, GNA - Professor Samuel K. Adjapong, Chairman of the National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM-GC), has called on Ghanaians to support the concept of the mechanism, saying it aims at promoting democracy, good governance and socio-economic development.

He said the current state of poverty, deprivation and underdevelopment in Africa was the result of bad leadership and bad governance.

Prof. Adjapong made these remarks at the inauguration of NARPM oversight committees for New Juaben Municipality, Yilo Krobo, Lower Manya, Upper Manya, and Asuogyaman Districts Oversight Committees of the NARPM in Koforidua on Monday. The District Oversight Committees are voluntary associations of local level actors to oversee the implementation of the National Programme of Action and contribute to the promotion of good governance at the local level. Prof. Adjapong said having recognized the fact that bad governance violates public trust, corrodes social capital, and leaves the majority of the people in abject poverty, the APRM was to open up "political space" and allow civil society to operate without the retribution of the past.

He said the strategy of the New Partnership of Africa's Development (NEPAD) which introduced the APRM concept was to foster growth by promoting peace, security and democracy, as well as sound economic and corporate governance, regional cooperation and integration, fostering partnerships and changing role of the state in development. Prof. Adjapong said 59 District Oversight Committees had so far been inaugurated across the country. He urged members of the committees to be politically neutral so that they could present genuine report, which would be accepted across the political divide.