By: Precious Miracle Kargbo (Intern)
The New Executive Chairman of the African Peer Review Mechanism, Mohamed Sheriff has confirmed that his main plan is to amplify the relationship with stakeholders and all arms of government in order to achieve success of the APRM and strengthen democracy in Sierra Leone as a nation.
He made this statement during an interview at radio Democracy, New England, Freetown October 6th 2023.
Sherriff said before assuming office as chairman for the APRM, he has been involved in a lot of consultations and assessment from staffs, previous executive secretaries and even the national organizing council. One of the things he highlighted as the problem of APRM is that their activities are outstretched and they are low on partnership with other institutions but he assured of bringing in critical players that will work in the best interest of APRM, including the media.
He said as the new executive chairman narrowed down his plans to achieve at the APRM into four thematic areas, which will scale through the 15, 30, 60 and 90 days’ action plan that he has initiated. He went further by identifying the different action plans starting with 15 days which he stated that is to get himself familiarize with all of the institutions plan so that he will be able to execute his function as a chairman well, which includes interface with staffs, political parties, civil societies and traditional authorities.
On the path of accountability, as the main tool for the review mechanism, he said he initiated plans not only to look at accountability in a vertical lens but also from a horizontal view meaning not only will the subordinated be accountable to their superiors, but for superiors to also be accountable to subordinates as that is the main reason why they are working closely for a partnership with government.
The APRM EC said working with the media is to be able to amplify accountability to the public to a very large extent so that transparency will be at the core at every governance and institution level.
Furthermore, he stated that Sierra Leone and the APRM’s partnership with other countries will be very outstanding because the chairman for west- Africa APRM board is in the person of his Excellency of the Republic of Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio. He said this is an advantage for Sierra Leone as the President is determined to see that the work of the APRM grows in Sierra Leone, while the Minister of Public administration and Political affairs performs an oversight function over the APRM, and that the Minister Amara Kallon is directly the focal point.
Meanwhile, he affirms that the APRM supports the Minister as a focal point while and they all supports the government at the end. He asserts that people should expect success from him during his tenure in office as the APRM executive chairman because he carries a determination to strengthen the pillars of democracy, good governance, and sustainable development because the APRM will not work in isolation but will work with critical players to ensure growth and development in the country and all arms of government.