Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Desk Editor
GOVERNMENT says the inclusive and participatory approach to development within the African Peer Review Mechanism process is essential in monitoring and evaluating the country’s socio-economic development.
For the past five days government, academia and industry converged in Masvingo to validate the draft report submitted by the African Peer Review Mechanism delegation that was in the country in November last year for Zimbabwe’s inaugural targeted review.
Chairperson of the National Governing Council, Ambassador James Manzou said the workshop was a success and represented a milestone with regards to peer review and learning.
“Your insightful contributions have greatly enriched the process and strengthened the quality and integrity of the report, which will be presented to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This workshop has been a landmark in our APRM journey. Together, we have meticulously reviewed and evaluated the APRM draft report. This inclusive and participatory approach lies at the heart of the APRM process and is essential in producing a report that truly reflects our country’s progress and priorities.”
Acting Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Willard Manungo, weighed in saying outcomes of the APRM Process should translate to tangible actions that strengthen governance and accelerate the achievement of an upper middle-income society by 2030.
“Over the past five days, we have collectively and constructively reviewed the APRM draft report, carefully examining it, paragraph by paragraph, to ensure, among others, factual accuracy, internal consistency and alignment with verified data, national policies and institutional mandates. Through open, inclusive and candid deliberations, we validated key findings, clarified statistics, harmonised the terminologies and resolved outstanding issues, thereby strengthening the credibility and ownership of the report.”
The draft APRM Report is reflective of the strides the country has made in economic Governance and Management.
The report once validated and final Programme of Action will be presented to the APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government of participating countries for peer review and adoption.
Once adopted, the report is made public, and the country is expected to implement the Programme of Action, with annual progress reports presented to the Forum.
