25 September 2025 – Midrand – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat has concluded a successful three-day Technical Training Workshop in Freetown, Sierra Leone, held from 16 to 18 September 2025. The workshop marked a key step in Sierra Leone’s preparations for its upcoming Second-Generation Review, with a strong focus on enhancing national capacities and understanding of the Revised Country Self-Assessment Questionnaire.
The workshop, supported by GIZ, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society actors, youth leaders, and representatives from technical research institutions. Designed as both a learning and collaborative platform, the event aimed to raise awareness of the revised assessment tool and equip participants with the skills necessary to adapt and implement the methodology of the tool at the national level.
Officially opening the event, Honourable Kenyeh Ballay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and APRM Focal Point for Sierra Leone, highlighted the critical role of inclusive governance and evidence-based policymaking. Her remarks set the tone for the workshop’s overall goal: to ensure that the governance review process is not only rigorous but also genuinely reflective of the voices and needs of Sierra Leonean citizens.
Delivering a message on behalf of Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, CEO of the APRM, Mr. Peter Katwesige stressed the importance of the training. The revised questionnaire, he noted, is not just a technical instrument, it is a catalyst for meaningful transformation, empowering countries to convert reflections into actionable reforms. He also expressed confidence that Sierra Leone’s Second-Generation Review would serve as a benchmark for innovation and inclusivity across the continent.
Updated in 2024, the Revised Country Self-Assessment Questionnaire introduces new thematic areas, namely e-governance and resilience to shocks and disasters.
These additions align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that the review process remains relevant in addressing both continental priorities and global challenges.
In addition to the theoretical training, the workshop offered practical, hands-on sessions for national structures and technical research teams. Participants were guided through the deconstruction of the questionnaire, methodologies for conducting field surveys and interviews, and the use of APRM’s electronic data collection tools. Lessons and experiences shared by peer countries further enriched the sessions, providing real-world insights into best practices.
The outcomes of this workshop are expected to directly inform Sierra Leone’s National Plan of Action and feed into its Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), reinforcing the country’s commitment to good governance, institutional resilience, and sustainable development.
The APRM Secretariat looks forward to further strengthening its partnership with GIZ through future collaborative initiatives that would advance the shared goals of governance reform and sustainable development across the continent.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact: APRM Continental Secretariat at info@aprm-au.org.
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