‘Zim open to peer review’

Mukudzei Chingwere Herald Reporter

Zimbabwe is committed to be subjected to the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government, President Mnangagwa has said, and is looking forward to being reviewed and will welcome the subsequent report.

Speaking to the second extra-ordinary session of the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government, whose agenda is peer learning with the intention of promoting good governance across the continent, President Mnangagwa congratulated his Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, whose country was under review, for the insightful country review report that was tabled before African leaders yesterday.

The review process looks at both achievements and at areas where further work is needed.

“It is my fervent hope that my country, will in the near future, be reviewed as well. We look forward to the reviews,” said President Mnangagwa, who was represented by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Ambassador Frederick Shava.

“The areas reviewed by the report including manufacturing, food security, affordable housing and universal health coverage are of particular interest to my Government which is implementing related programmes and projects under its National Development Strategy 1 designed to contribute towards the transformation of Zimbabwe into an upper middle income country by 2030.

“The robust policy, legal and regulatory framework highlighted by the report to facilitate agro-processing and access to finance guaranteed by the government in partnership with the private sector for the small and medium enterprises venturing in value addition projects caught my attention.”

In respect of agriculture, President Mnangagwa said post-harvest losses had been reduced through provision of cold storages and cooling plants, providing quality raw materials for value addition.

“I am sure our experts can exchange notes and learn from these best practices,” he said.

Zimbabwe is being configured towards the attainment of an upper middle income society by 2030 and all sectors are being improved as a pre-requisite for this vision.

President Mnangagwa made it clear that all the improvements in the economy must not leave anyone behind, hence the deliberate thrust to ensure that even vulnerable communities benefit.

Zimbabwe’s health system recently won global commendation for the way it pushed back the global Covid-19 pandemic, a development that minimised its effects on the country.

President Mnangagwa commended Kenya for the steps it has taken in improving its health system as well.

“The commitment by the Republic of Kenya to ensure access to health services by its population is a noble objective and cannot be overemphasised.

“It is heartening to note that the government and private players have successfully put in place a free health insurance programme that provides cover for pregnant women in slums and rural areas, as well as provision of state of the art diagnostic and critical care equipment in each of Kenya’s counties.

“The antenatal care is indeed instrumental in reducing child and maternal mortality rates.

“I wish the government of Kenya success in implementing its national programmes of action to remedy the governance weaknesses identified by the review,” said President Mnangagwa.