Freetown — Sierra Leone's Vice President has called on Sierra Leoneans and donor partners to fully embrace the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process and its implementation in the country.

Officially launching the APRM resource mobilization, communications and information strategies and IEC materials, Alhaji Samuel Sam-Sumana said the visit of the APRM country support mission would help reveal a clear picture of the strength and weaknesses in the country's quest for good governance.

"I want to call on all Sierra Leoneans and our donor partners to fully embrace the APRM process and its implementation. The government will give its fullest support to the entire process," he assured.

According to the Vice President, governance is a composite requirement for any modern state, adding that the government's 'Agenda for Change' is a blueprint and catalyst for good governance. "As a nation, we have taken great strides in ensuring the success of good governance. The APRM process must be embracive by all," Mr. Sam-Sumana reiterated.

Resident representative of the African Development Bank, Samuel O. Onwona said his institution attaches great importance to the APRM process in the country, noting, "We are fully involved in the entire process."

"29 countries out of 54 in the African continent have acceded to the APRM since its inception in 2002. I want these 29 countries, including Sierra Leone, to intensify the reform process and bring out the benefits gained," he said. APRM's governing council chair, Dr. Osman Gbla said the launch of the document was appropriate and urgent for a nation that has fully acceded to the APRM process.

He said the country has succeeded in putting in place transparent national structures, adding that the APRM does not only look at weaknesses of countries but also their good governance. Dr. Gbla allayed the fears of all that the APRM was not created to punish African countries but to assess their performances in terms of governance.

Statements were also made by civil society representative Josephine Koroma, Chief of Staff at State House Dr. Kaifala Marah and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Dr. Samura Kamara, among others.