Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike in Masvingo
The African Peer Review Mechanism National Governing Council has been urged to harmonise its processes with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development to enhance operational coherence and improve coordination of activities.
The alignment will give birth to NEPAD-APRM Zimbabwe, which will be responsible for ensuring that governance issues are directly linked to sustainable development, planning, implementation and monitoring frameworks at the national level.
The call was made by Acting Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Willard Manungo, while officiating at the launch of the APRM targeted review on economic governance and management draft report validation workshop underway in Masvingo.
A continental delegation led by the lead Panel Member for Zimbabwe, Ambassador Aly El Hefny, undertook the targeted review in November last year.
The continental secretariat presented the report last week to the National Governing Council, which is now scrutinising the draft.
“So, in this regard, I wish to underscore the importance of further strengthening the institutional linkage between the APRM and NEPAD within our national architecture,” Dr Manungo said.
He noted that the downstream benefits of having a NEPAD-APRM Zimbabwe were evident when the APRM delegation carried out a benchmarking exercise in Kenya in July last year.
“Going forward, there is a compelling need to harmonise APRM processes with NEPAD initiatives so that the mechanism can operate as NEPAD-APRM Zimbabwe. Such alignment will enhance policy coherence and improve coordination. It will also ensure that governance issues are directly linked to sustainable development, planning, implementation and monitoring frameworks at our national level,” he said.
Dr Manungo emphasised that the APRM is firmly aligned with Zimbabwe’s national development aspirations, as articulated in Vision 2030, which aims to transform the country into a prosperous and empowered society by the year 2030.
“This is anchored in good governance, accountability, transparency and, as His Excellency continues to emphasise, inclusive growth. That will ensure that all citizens of Zimbabwe are involved in the journey towards the realisation of their dreams.
“It also aligns with our recently launched National Development Strategy 2, which promotes effective institutions, sound economic governance, social cohesion and ensures that every citizen can be represented and participate in all national development processes,” he said.
He added that Agenda 2063 envisions an Africa that is well governed, democratic, peaceful and driven by its people.
Dr Manungo said that through the APRM, Zimbabwe is contributing to continental efforts to uphold shared values, unity and collective accountability among African states.
He urged members of the APRM team to continue their engagements with loyalty and patriotism.
“As we proceed with this validation workshop, I urge you all to continue engaging in the spirit of patriotism, collaboration, professionalism and shared responsibility so that we align with the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Comrade Dr Mnangagwa’s philosophy.
“Let us collectively ensure that the final APRM report that reaches us is a credible, accurate and forward-looking document that will meaningfully inform policy reforms and advance Zimbabwe’s development aspirations,” he said.
National Governing Council Chairperson Commissioner James Manzou, National Focal Point Person Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, APRM interim chief executive Ambassador Rofina Chikava, and National Governance Council committee member Mr Jonathan Gandari are attending the workshop.
Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, and other Government officials are also attending.
