A total of 300 leaders from provincial and district levels across the country have converged in Nyamata, Bugesera District, for training on measures that should be taken to successfully accomplish government programmes and policies.

The week-long training was organised by the Ministry for Local Government in partnership with National Itorero Commission.

The training is meant to equip participants (trainers of trainees) with more leadership skills, which they will also share with new local leaders from sector to village level for better performance in accomplishing government programme.

The training, that opened on Monday, will be closed on April 24.

Opening the training, Vincent Munyeshyaka, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, told the participants to pay special attention to the lectures as matters to be taught would enhance their abilities to bring a significant change and transformation in their society.

"In our responsibilities, we are working to deliver on the goals of the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPS II). It is our duty to implement all programmes under the strategy. We need a significant change socially and economically,” he said.

"You have to be agents of change. After the training you will be engaged in a difficult task to train local leaders from sector level to village. You are asked to transform them, but this requires self-transformation first.”

Munyeshyaka stressed the need for all local leaders to work toward poverty reduction.

"We are working to decrease the rate of poverty in Rwanda, fight against corruption and illiteracy, strive to educate all Rwandans through education for all policy, better service delivery, and advancing income per capita among others. You will be assisting grassroots leaders on the accomplishment of all those objectives, a citizen is the centre for any change in the development of the country,” he added.

Trainees speak out

Jean Claude Gakumba, from Southern Province, said the training will help participants to network, share experience to be in turn shared with local leaders.

Marie Claudine Mukamparirwa, from Gatsibo District, said after the training they will be expected to train their fellow leaders at sector and village levels on service delivery and fight against corruption.

Deo Rugabirwa, from Gasabo District, said the training is helpful for all leaders, especially for new members in committees, adding that such training should be regular.

The participants are trained by a group of 25 trainers from the Ministry of Local Government.

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