President Ernest Bai Koroma Monday inaugurated the governing council of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and launched its implementation process in Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the Miatta conference hall in Freetown Koroma said the APRM was established by the organization of African unity, OAU for African countries to assess and where necessary criticize themselves.

He said Sierra Leone has made significant progress in the area of political governance, adding that his government would attach emphasis on the four thematic point of the APRM.

"I am determined to see that the APRM process is successful in Sierra Leone. Vigorous public debate brings about good governance," he said.

Koroma noted that as long as he stays on as president he would not tolerate any form of abuse of human rights.

Permanent secretary at the ministry of presidential and public affairs J.S. Kebe said the country acceded to the APRM in 2004, suggesting that its implementation process was important.

He said the four thematic areas of the APRM include democracy and good governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance and social economic development.

"The APRM will promote transparency and integrity in governance," he said.

ENCISS executive director Ernest Cummings said the launch of the APRM implementation and the inauguration of its governing council were a demonstration of government's commitment to the process.

He said his organization would provide all the necessary technical support for the successful completion of the implementation process.

"It is our hope that governance will spread all over the country," he said.