Brief 3 : maximizing the use of the media as a tool for popularizing the African peer review mechanism

One of the main criticisms levied against the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is that it is an elitist conception, yet to gain popularity among Africans. It is worrisome that 33 member states of the African Union have acceded to the APRM and with 17 countries peer-reviewed, little is still known by a majority of the African public about the existence and relevance of the APRM and how the APR processes are implemented in a country. Africans are not carried along on the National Programmes of Action (NPOAs) of their countries and measures put in place for their implementation. This raises concerns about the essence of the APRM; its credibility and transparency as a people-driven process for development. Lack of adequate knowledge also limits the need for African ownership of the initiative. This brief recommends that one way to reverse this negative trend is to maximize the use of the media as a tool for communication and information dissemination in order to bridge the gap between governments and the people and also in popularizing the APRM initiative. Thus, the media should be adequately equipped with relevant information concerning the APRM to serve this purpose