The Rwanda Governance Advisory Council (GAC) has announced its intention to work closely with the public, and actors in the civic and private sector to advance the country’s governance system to international standards.

The institution is primarily charged with playing an advisory role through dissemination of research findings and policy recommendations.

In an interview with The New Times, the GAC Executive Secretary, Prof. Anastase Shyaka, said that the government had agreed with its development partners on a set of indicators known as the Joint Governance Assessment (JGA).

"GAC has been charged with the mission to follow up, monitor and evaluate progress on JGA indicators,” Shyaka said from his Nyarutarama offices.

GAC will then make informed recommendations on how to improve governance indicators of JGA as well as other governance frameworks.

"Through informed policy formulation and improved implementation mechanisms, our aim is to lead by example to the neighbouring countries about good governance,” Shyaka.

He pointed out that GAC had already developed a Mobile School of Governance whose aim is to raise standards of good governance and capacity building of local leaders and non state actors in the area of governance.

Shyaka revealed that five field visits have been conducted in the districts of Gatsibo, Gasabo, Ngororero, Nyamagabe and Rulindo from which documentations of best practices in governance would be made.

However, he pointed out that in order to effectively carry out its duties, GAC should be assured free access to information.

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