Saltpond (C/R), March 15, GNA - Prof. S.K. Adjepong, Chairman of National African Peer Review Mechanism (NAPRM) has inaugurated a nine-member APRM Oversight committee for Mfantseman Municipal Assembly at Saltpond and the members not to meddle in partisan politics. APRM Oversight Committees are independent bodies set up to collate view from the public on achievements and shortcomings of governments for onward transmission to the National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM-GC).

The committee is also to see to the implementation programmes of Action prepared by the NAPRM-GC in the municipality. Rev Prof Adjepong cautioned members to resist political influence in their work and must not use their own views to represent the views of the people when writing their reports.

The APRM is a self-monitoring and control mechanism initiated by the African Union to ensure good governance and socio-economic development.

Prof Adjepong said the APRM was to offer the people the chance to speak out on achievements and shortcomings of governments to enable a programme of action to be prepared to address the challenges to enhance democracy and good governance.

Dr Francis Appiah, Executive Secretary said APRM had four cardinal objectives -- to prevent and reduce conflicts between and within countries, establish god governance and rule of law, to promote and protect economic, social, cultural civil and political rights, and to uphold the separation of powers.

He appealed to Ghanaians not to look up to government at all times for their needs saying they should be able to identify their challenges and develop the capacity to solve them.

Dr Appiah expressed concern about changes in membership of boards of public institutions anytime there was change of government, saying it does not promote continuity.

Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Municipal Chief Executive, said establishment of the District Assembly concept was to promote good governance by putting democracy to the door steps of the people.