Mahama swears in governing gouncil to lead Ghana’s second APRM review
President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in members of Ghana’s National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM-GC), signaling the country’s readiness to undergo a fresh evaluation of its governance systems.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President emphasized the importance of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as a tool for accountability and progress. “We’re willing to do that and we’ll be available to lead that process,” he assured, noting that Ghana’s second-generation review will take place next week on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mahama recalled Ghana’s pioneering role in the APRM, having volunteered for the process as early as 2006. “It’s been an issue of pride for us that Ghana’s democracy, accountable governance, and everything that we are noted for, will be subjected to review by our peers,” he said. He highlighted that the first review exposed stark inequalities between the northern and southern regions, leading to the creation of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to address disparities and reduce migration pressures.
The newly inaugurated Governing Council will be chaired by Ladyship Professor Akua Kuenyehia, who pledged transparency and independence in steering the review. “We assure you of our commitment to uphold transparency and the independence of governance institutions,” she remarked. Other members include Dr. Joseph Whittal, Chair of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mr. Joseph Obeng, Mr. David Ofosu-Dorte, and Mrs. Cornelia Amoah.
Established in 2003 by the African Union, the APRM is a voluntary self-monitoring instrument designed to promote good governance, political stability, and sustainable development. It facilitates national dialogue and self-assessment across four key areas: democracy, economic management, corporate governance, and socio-economic development.
For Ghana, the upcoming review represents not only a test of its governance reforms but also an opportunity to measure progress in bridging inequalities and strengthening institutions. As Mahama noted, the exercise will allow the country to reflect on past interventions and chart a clearer path toward inclusive development.
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