Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to proclaim independence in 1957, and also the first to complete a governance review in 2005 under the APRM (African Peer Review Mechanism). Ghana ran one of the most transparent and inclusive processes on the continent, and this has spurred important reforms. As South Africa prepares to embark on its second review, it can learn important lessons from the Ghanaian experience.
We interviewed Professor SKB Asante from Ghana, and Ambassador Ashraf Rashed who sits on the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons. We asked them:
- Ambassador Rashed, what continental lessons can we draw from Ghana’s successful experience?
- Prof Asante, what were the main governance challenges in Ghana 10 years ago and how has the APRM process helped to improve the situation?
- What do you think was the secret of this success?
- Ambassador Rashed, in your experience, why have other countries experienced difficulties in improving governance through the APRM?
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