APRM and the quest for a developmental state: the role of civil society organizations in implementing the national programme of action

Abstract

The paper examines the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF)-sponsored Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) as a comparative approach to governance mechanism, from which lessons could be drawn. It also underscores the unique architecture, concepts and principles in APRM process that seek to avoid some of the potential pitfalls that beset PRSP and other existing governance mechanisms in Africa. The paper further looks at some of the strategies that civil society has employed in various APRM country processes and what strategies have worked well and can be improved on. It also addresses challenges that civil society organizations (CSOs) have faced in the pursuit of good governance through the APRM process. The prospects for the future of CSOs participation and NPoA as a tool for constructing a developmental state are propounded in the paper, with a view to informing policy makers on areas that may need strengthening and reorientation.