REV PROF AGYEPONG UNHAPPY WITH POVERTY LEVEL IN AFRICA (Page 20)

Story: Joe Okyere, Dunkwa-on-Offin

THE Chairman of the National African Peer Review Mechanism (NAPRM), Reverend Professor Samuel Adjepong, has expressed regret at the continent’s poverty level, despite the abundant natural resources.
Rev Professor Adjepong expressed the sentiment at the inauguration of a 10-member district oversight committee to oversee the activities of the NAPRM at Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Upper Denkyira District of the Central Region.
The inauguration of the Upper Denkyira District Oversight Committee brings to four the number of such committees in the country. The other three are Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region, Kadjebi in the Volta Region and Bibiani in the Western Region.
Rev Professor Adjepong attributed the situation to a number of factors, including bad governance, and urged Ghanaians to change their attitude and unite for effective democracy.
He said the country’s democracy, good governance and poverty reduction could be achieved if the people got actively involved and deepened their understanding of the NAPRM. He advised members of the committee not to discriminate in the discharge of their duties.
The District Chief Executive for Upper Denkyira, Mr Richard Anane Adabor, said since the APRM was crucial to national development, the people should be involved to ensure its success.
He therefore appealed to the NAPRM Governing Council to disseminate information about the programme to the ordinary people, and urged the people to hold authorities accountable to ensure transparency and accountability.
A member of the council, Professor Miranda Greenstreet, noted that the aim of the APRM would be achieved if the people, especially women, were involved in the implementation process.