CHAPTER 6 6.2 The Ghana Programme of Action 18. In response to the findings of the CSAR and the CRM, the Panel has made a number of recommendations in this report for addressing the priority deficiencies and shortcomings identified. The government has responded with the attached Programme of Action (POA). In interactions with Ghana following the CRM, including a visit by the chairperson of the Panel, the leader of the country review process, the Secretariat, and the Panel has satisfied itself that the POA: ? ? ? ? ? ? Has been designed by all stakeholders in Ghana and that all have participated actively in the self-assessment process; Covers the important gaps and deficiencies identified in the extensive APRM process; Provides satisfactory indications of costs and time-frames; Elaborates on monitoring and implementation responsibilities; Represents a firm commitment from all stakeholders; and Is fully endorsed by the government, which unreservedly accepts its share of responsibility for the implementation of the programme. 19. The total estimated cost for the implementation of the POA over the indicated time periods for all programmes is USD 2,847,925,363. There is a firm commitment from the government to proceed with the implementation of the programme and indeed, significant allocations of budget funds to some of the activities have already been made. Given the multitude of identified capacity gaps, it is realistic to state that Ghana will ultimately not be able to implement the programme on its own. 20. The Panel therefore calls on other Heads of State and governments participating in the APRM to offer their assistance. In line with paragraph 24 of the APRM Base Document: … If the government of the country shows a demonstrable will to rectify identified shortcomings, then it will be incumbent upon participating governments to provide what assistance they can, as well as urge donor governments and agencies also to come to the assistance of the country reviewed. The Panel reiterates and underscores, however, that the APRM is, and will remain a process owned by Africa. In the final situation, the responsibility for implementing the POA remains vested in Ghana and in all of its people. 144