Concord Times (Freetown)
Mohamed Massaquoi
18 April 2011
Freetown — A team from the Advance Country Review Mission of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) will start a review of Sierra Leone’s democratic structures, especially in the area of good governance, human rights and the rule of law.
Chairman of the APRM national governing council, Dr. Osman Gbla, told newsmen in Freetown that the country team has completed a self-assessment scheme, noting that they have prepared a programme of action to forge ahead with the process. He disclosed that Sierra Leone will be reviewed by the Advance Country Review Mission come January 2012.
Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Alhaji Alpha Kanu, said his government would give the review mission all the freedom to do a thorough assessment of the country’s democratic credentials. He said they have achieved a lot in the area of good governance, “with development like the free health care initiative, press freedom and food security”.
“We have deepened democracy with proper structures in place. Since we assumed office, we have no political prisoner or journalist being imprisoned. We have initiated the free health care scheme that has saved the lives of many,” he reiterated.
Barrister Akere Muna, lead panelist of the Advance Country Review Mission, assured that the review would not be based on a scorecard or a witch-hunt of any government, but a critical look into the country’s democratic governance.
He said the objective was to know whether Sierra Leone, as one of the democratic countries in Africa, was practicing true democracy as others in the continent and also to expose to others what was being perceived in the country.
According to him, the review will target various sectors including government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society groups and the ordinary man in the street.
Muna however commended the country’s level of preparedness ahead of the review process.
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