Good leadership, governance Rwanda’s flagship

This week President Paul Kagame was granted an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Glasgow in recognition for “his leadership, and in encouragement of his commitment to nation building and reconciliation in Rwanda”. It is also not so long ago since a survey of African countries covering the past five years – the Ibrahim Index, financed by Sudanese mobile phone magnate Mo Ibrahim, named Rwanda as most improved nation in Africa. There is no doubt about the fact that good governance and exemplary leadership have been displayed since Kagame and other liberators came to power, even to those who may wish to disagree. After putting an end to a divisive rule, the government has since July 1994 reconstructed the nation, first through reconciliatory programmes that have promoted developmental goals instead of retribution, and also by propagating ways of liberating Rwandans from poverty. World wide, citizens do their part best when their responsibilities are clearly spelled out, as well as the processes to be followed. Then efficiency is achieved because of the need to arrive at the well known goals. To this effect, laws and institutions have been created and given constitutional powers with which to ensure accountability and transparency, checking abuse of executive power, mismanagement of funds and corruption. Through clear communication channels, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government programmes and policies, high quality services are provided to citizens. The Gacaca courts, as a way of bringing not only justice but also unity to all concerned in the Genocide, have had an advantage of involving the community in the trial and sentencing process. The Government of National Unity believes that involving the population in the trials can contribute significantly to reconciliation. ICT connectivity, Women empowerment, infrastructure development, poverty eradication, an increase in literacy levels, to mention but a few have characterised this regime. Our president’s stand for good governance has won Rwanda’s credibility and glory back, which had been drained away by past negationists and selfish leaders that led not only to a decline in the economy but also incalculable misery to citizens. Ends