A team of officials from the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) visited Oshana Region on 10 October on a mission to consult with stakeholders as the officials prepare the National Governance Report.

Ms Rosetta Nawases, who is a member of the APRM National Governing Council, led the team in Oshakati as it held discussions with representatives of local state institutions, churches, youth and community leaders.

APRM is a mutually agreed instrument, voluntarily acceded to by member states of the African Union as a self-monitoring mechanism on democracy and good governance.

Ms Nawases explained that the APRM has increased the democratic space and provided a platform for non-state actors to engage constructively on governance and policy issues, including those related to alleviating poverty and unemployment.

In order to create a sense of ownership in the governance process of the country, the APRM consults with people at grassroots level before it compiles reports on member states which are then reviewed by “peers” to determine compliance with the principles of NEPAD on good governance.

The APRM researchers Dr. Gabriella Loteni Nguluwe, Mr. Vetara Tjiuoro, and Ms Salia Ndadi facilitated group session discussions, where participants expressed their opinions on various topics of governance in Oshana.

In the photo: Ms Salia Ndadi holds discussions with a focus group.