Accra, Jan. 12, GNA - Dr. Francis Appiah, Executive Secretary of the National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM-GC), on Monday said the change of government would not in any way affect the implementation of Ghana's APRM process.

He said the APRM was people-centred and an African Union process and therefore its operations were not tied to any particular government. "We worked with the National Democratic Congress when it was in opposition and we are confident that this new government would rather accelerate the pace of the APRM," the Executive Secretary stated. Dr. Appiah was speaking to journalists in Accra after meeting a 12-member delegation from Benin APRM Commission.

The delegation is in the country to learn from Ghana's experience to improve their country's post-report implementation process. Dr Appiah hinted that Ghana would present her progress report to the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this month, adding that President John Evans Atta Mills was prepared to do so. He expressed the hope that Ghana, the first country to implement the APRM, would remain committed to the process and continue to champion the cause of Africa's development.

Interacting with the delegation, Professor S. K. Adjapong, Chairman of the NAPRM-GC, urged the delegation to do more to sensitize the Beninois on the process in order to have their cooperation. He said Ghana hoped to collaborate with countries along the west coast in order to foster national integration for a successful APRM process. Prof. Adjapong also announced plans to establish a centre of excellence in the country that would serve as a resource centre for APRM in the sub-region. Mrs Bernadine do Rego, President of the Benin APRM Commission, said Benin was the first French speaking country to join the APRM. She said the delegation was prepared to learn and share experiences with other countries in the sub-region. 12 Jan. 09