Abstract Eight 2005-2006

GLOBAL

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

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Volume Four Winter 2005-Spring 2006 Numbers 1-2.

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GOOD GOVERNANCE, THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM AND SOCIOECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Peter Arthur

Department of Political Science, Dalhousie University

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4H6, Canada

Peter Quartey,

Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research

University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

Published online: February 10, 2017

ABSTRACT

The 1970s and 1980s were difficult periods in the socioeconomic development efforts of African countries. Despite the abundant supply of natural resources, most African countries experienced serious deterioration in their economic performance and some countries were ravaged by political violence and civil wars. It is in this regard that the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), as a strategy to improve and sustain economic and political development in Africa, was launched in October 2001 in Lagos, Nigeria by some prominent African leaders. A core principle of NEPAD is the promotion of good governance, particularly through the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Nearly five years since the launching of NEPAD and APRM, this article attempts to critically assess the extent to which the goals of NEPAD relative to good governance and the APRM have been achieved. It also discusses the challenges confronting the implementation of the APRM, which was adopted in March 2003 by African Heads of States. Finally, it offers some suggestions in ensuring the success of the APRM and strategies that can improve socioeconomic conditions in Africa.