18–19 July 2024, Accra, Ghana – H.E. Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat, conducted fruitful consultations with Ghana, Seychelles and Zambia – three APRM Member States at varying stages of the review process – on the sidelines of the 45th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council held on 18–19 July 2024 in Accra, Ghana.
Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose QUATRE paid a Courtesy Call on Her Excellency Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana and APRM National Focal Point. Following introductions, H.E. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey congratulated the CEO on her appointment by the Heads of State and Government at the 33rd APR Forum.
In her remarks, Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Ghana for their support since her assumption of duty on 3 June 2024. She also thanked Minister Botchwey for Ghana’s collaboration in establishing the Africa Credit Rating Agency. Ambassador Rose Quatre commended Ghana on successfully conducting the Targeted review on Corporate Governance as a Catalyst for the implementation of AfCFTA and sought Ghana’s support for finalizing the report and its peer review at the forthcoming Extraordinary APR Forum.
Minister Botchwey highlighted the efficiency of Ghana’s APRM National Governing Council (NGC) in conducting the Targeted Review and praised the APRM’s impact in Member States, noting its role in providing comprehensive governance assessments across various sectors. She also commended APRM for establishing the Africa Credit Rating Agency, emphasizing its importance in rectifying biased foreign credit ratings. “We have experienced unfair credit ratings in the past that need correction,” she emphasized. Minister Botchwey committed to implementing the recommendations of APRM Country review reports and assured the CEO of Ghana’s continued support to the APRM.
In a separate engagement, Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre met with H.E. Hon. Mulambe Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zambia. The CEO congratulated Zambia on successfully completing its 2nd Generation review in 2023. Discussions focused on preparations for the peer review of Zambia’s report at the forthcoming APR Forum, with a focus on next steps and action points for implementation.
Minister Haimbe underscored Zambia’s pride in being the 6th country to undergo a 2nd Generation review and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to finalizing and presenting the report at the Special Summit. He requested specific action points from APRM to facilitate implementation ahead of the peer review.
Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre also held discussions with H.E. Conrad Mederic, Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelles to the African Union. The meeting explored avenues for enhanced collaboration, particularly regarding the Africa Governance Report 2025, which includes a component on the blue economy.
Ambassador Mederic welcomed the 4th Edition of the Africa Governance Report and acknowledged Seychelles’ leadership in the blue economy sector. He expressed readiness to share Seychelles’ experiences with other African countries.
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