Kenya host first African forum on accountability

Accra, April 1 GNA - The first Pan African Forum on accountability and the relationship between the three arms of government is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from April 4 - 6.

The Commonwealth Secretariat in association with the Kenyan government is hosting the event, which would be opened by President Mwai Kibaki.

A statement issued by Mr. Joel Kibazo, Director, Communications and Public Affairs of the Commonwealth, said the forum would tackle major topics including the independence of the judiciary, the powers of parliament and the executive as well as strategies for fighting corruption and the promotion of the rule of law.

The forum also aims at raising awareness among parliamentarians, government ministers and officials, judges and magistrates, lawyers, civil society and oversight institutions of the implementation of the principles in African Commonwealth countries.

The statement said the objective of the conference was to come out with a plan of action to help entrench good governance and democracy as well as promoting these practices among the three branches of government.

Mr Don McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary General, is expected to address the meeting to buttress the principles endorsed by the Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in Abuja in December 2003 as well as that of the Harare Declaration and the Millbrook Action Programme.