[img_assist|nid=391|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=150|height=49]The Africa Progress Panel, an independent mechanism that monitors implementation of commitments and report on progress in Africa, recently launched its 2008 report. In the report, the panelists (including Kofi Annan, Tony Blair, Bob Geldof and Muhammad Yunus) conclude that together with the APRM, the EITI has been "successful, even groundbreaking", in its efforts to improve governance.
The G8 has repeatedly stated its support for the Africa Peer Review Mechanism and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which is designed to monitor the use of funds earned from oil and other natural resources. Both the APRM and the EITI have been successful, even groundbreaking, in their efforts to improve governance—and both have resulted in improvements on the ground. The G8 must be commended for its role in these efforts. Still, the G8 can lend more support than it currentlydoes. In particular, countries that are implementing reforms based on the results of the peer review process should be entitle to receive more help from the G8, in terms both of financing and of technical assistance.
The Africa Progress Panel, chaired by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, write the following in their recommendations for Good Governance:
The Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) launched by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the African Union Convention on Corruption, and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) have had significant success in improving governance. Sustainable democracies are emerging in many countries although setbacks in elections in some countries have been a great disappointment. African governments are increasing their revenue base and using more of these resources to meet the costs of economic development. In addition, civil society is playing an important role in holding governments accountable in many countries.
PDF of the report can be downloaded directly from here.
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