Accra, July 21, GNA - The National African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Governing Council has congratulated the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs for voluntarily agreeing to a self-assessment mechanism along the lines of the APRM. A statement signed by Cornelia R. Amoah, Public Affairs Officer of the Governing Council, commended the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs for this positive development which indicated that the Peer Review Mechanism, using a people-centred and grassroots bottom-up approach, was gaining roots.

Known as the Chiefly Peer Review Mechanism, the initiative has been introduced by the House to offer chiefs in the three zones of the Region an opportunity to help identify existing traditional mechanisms, reflect on the issue of accountability and transparency from the traditional point of view and to submit themselves to peer-review and share experiences to enhance the chieftaincy institution in the country. The statement said the Governing Council was encouraging all Regional Houses of Chiefs to emulate and take cognisance of this exemplary and significant step taken by the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs to empower and improve the participation of the people in the various traditional areas.

In another development, the statement said the National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council was continuing to bring the implementation of the APRM to the doorsteps of ordinary people. The inauguration of the Committee will afford ordinary citizens in the districts the opportunity to participate in the monitoring and evaluation of progress being made and to identify obstacles to effective implementation of the National Programme of Action.

It said the inaugurations would be held in Agona, Mampong, Mampongten, Effiduase and Ejura in the Ashanti Region, New Juaben, Yilo Krobo, Lower Manya, Upper Manya and Asuogyaman in the Eastern Region, Nanumba North, Nanumba South, Kpandai and Salaga in the Northern Region and Nkwanta South, Nkwanta North, Dambai and Krachi West in the Volta Region.

The statement said the District Oversight committees were voluntary associations of people drawn from the local communities to operate at the district level and oversee the monitoring and evaluation of progress being made in the implementation of the APRM.