By Globe Reporter
“As we begin a new year, it would be good to see renewed interest, energy and commitment towards the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). This commitment should be from all major sectors that include Government, civil society and the private sector. It is true that the primary driver of the process is the Government through the National Governing Council and the National APRM Secretariat (Governance Secretariat), but citizens, civil society, media, and the private sector should play a very complementary role in making this process work successfully. As long as we all remain quiet on this important governance process or reactive to certain events on the process, there will be no incentive for the government and indeed the National Governing Council (NGC) to move this process at a reasonable pace,” asserts the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR).
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a voluntary process of the African Union that seeks to promote and re-enforce high standards of governance through self-monitoring.
In a statement, JCTR observed that Lack of adequate knowledge on the APRM somehow has affected responsiveness from citizens in data collection by researchers, validation of the research reports, and validation of the Country Self Assessment Report and National Programme of Acton.
“Since 2006 when Zambia acceded to the APRM, we have seen inertia not only from Government but also Civil Society groups and the media to push this process forward. Not much has been done in popularising the process and its benefits. For example, through educating citizens to participate in the process, building interest in the general population, and generating more debates in Parliament that refer to the principles of the APRM. More than four years later, we are yet to see this momentum continue to build to satisfactory levels,” read the statement in part. “Lack of adequate knowledge on the APRM somehow has affected responsiveness from citizens in data collection by researchers, validation of the research reports, and validation of the Country Self Assessment Report and National Programme of Acton. In most of these interactions, it has become clear that even citizens living in areas with access to information (media), need more information on the APRM. This lack of adequate knowledge is worrying despite the National Governing Council’s efforts to popularise this process.”
JCTR stated it was important that the APRM, especially the National Programme of Action was taken seriously by government and some of the action points were considered for inclusion in the existing plans such as the Sixth National Development Plan.
“It is sad that despite finally producing (in 2010) the Country Self Assessment Report and the National Programme of Action, not much seems to be happening to make sure that Zambia finalises the process. Completing this process will facilitate Zambia’s peer review by Heads of States of African Union that have also acceded to this process. Peer review should be seen as a very important process because our Head of State will be made to account for some of the governance problems and successes that Zambians have highlighted in the assessment reports. Peer review is also a starting point for us Zambians to begin to reverse and end governance shortcomings and strengthen the best practices in governance,” read the statement. “If peer review is indeed the starting point to a promise of better governance, the JCTR strongly urges government through the National Governing Council to take positive steps to come up with a realistic roadmap that will ensure that Zambia is peer reviewed this year even when it is an election year. Simply because Zambia is having the tripartite elections does not mean that other governance processes are halted".
“As we begin a new year, it would be good to see renewed interest, energy and commitment towards the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). This commitment should be from all major sectors that include Government, civil society and the private sector. It is true that the primary driver of the process is the Government through the National Governing Council and the National APRM Secretariat (Governance Secretariat), but citizens, civil society, media, and the private sector should play a very complementary role in making this process work successfully. As long as we all remain quiet on this important governance process or reactive to certain events on the process, there will be no incentive for the government and indeed the National Governing Council (NGC) to move this process at a reasonable pace,” asserts the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR).
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a voluntary process of the African Union that seeks to promote and re-enforce high standards of governance through self-monitoring.
In a statement, JCTR observed that Lack of adequate knowledge on the APRM somehow has affected responsiveness from citizens in data collection by researchers, validation of the research reports, and validation of the Country Self Assessment Report and National Programme of Acton.
“Since 2006 when Zambia acceded to the APRM, we have seen inertia not only from Government but also Civil Society groups and the media to push this process forward. Not much has been done in popularising the process and its benefits. For example, through educating citizens to participate in the process, building interest in the general population, and generating more debates in Parliament that refer to the principles of the APRM. More than four years later, we are yet to see this momentum continue to build to satisfactory levels,” read the statement in part. “Lack of adequate knowledge on the APRM somehow has affected responsiveness from citizens in data collection by researchers, validation of the research reports, and validation of the Country Self Assessment Report and National Programme of Acton. In most of these interactions, it has become clear that even citizens living in areas with access to information (media), need more information on the APRM. This lack of adequate knowledge is worrying despite the National Governing Council’s efforts to popularise this process.”
JCTR stated it was important that the APRM, especially the National Programme of Action was taken seriously by government and some of the action points were considered for inclusion in the existing plans such as the Sixth National Development Plan.
“It is sad that despite finally producing (in 2010) the Country Self Assessment Report and the National Programme of Action, not much seems to be happening to make sure that Zambia finalises the process. Completing this process will facilitate Zambia’s peer review by Heads of States of African Union that have also acceded to this process. Peer review should be seen as a very important process because our Head of State will be made to account for some of the governance problems and successes that Zambians have highlighted in the assessment reports. Peer review is also a starting point for us Zambians to begin to reverse and end governance shortcomings and strengthen the best practices in governance,” read the statement. “If peer review is indeed the starting point to a promise of better governance, the JCTR strongly urges government through the National Governing Council to take positive steps to come up with a realistic roadmap that will ensure that Zambia is peer reviewed this year even when it is an election year. Simply because Zambia is having the tripartite elections does not mean that other governance processes are halted".
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