Education on NEPAD launched in Brong Ahafo

Sunyani, Feb 10, GNA - Mr Kofi Adomah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of National Commission for Civic Education, on Thursday said most Ghanaians were ignorant about the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the national African Peer Review Mechanism (NAPRM) due to inadequate public education.

He said lack of education had resulted in the spinning of myths, speculations and misconceptions about the two concepts. Speaking at the launch of the (NAPRM) in Brong Ahafo he appealed to district and municipal assemblies to assist in carrying out extensive public education about the concepts.

The nation-wide exercise is under the theme "Towards Africa's growth and prosperity through good governance." It was jointly organised by the governing council of the NAPRM and the Commission.

Mr Adomah said even though Ghana was first in Africa to volunteer to accede to the peer review process, the concept sounded foreign to Ghanaians, particularly those in the rural areas.

"Some Ghanaians regard the concept as constituting a yardstick by the Bretton Wood Institutions (IMF and World Bank) for African countries to qualify for financial assistance", he said

The NCCE Director expressed the hope that Ghanaians would grasp the full import and understanding of the APRM to be able to contribute their quota to the success and sustainability of the concept through popular participation.

Nana Kwadwo Seinti, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, said bad governance had wreaked on Africa the problems of abject poverty, famine, diseases, conflicts, civil wars and anarchy.

"The history of the post-independence period was replete with leaders who were concerned with how to retain power and remain in office for life, suppressing and repressing the opposing views and human rights of their people", he said.