Gov’t reaches out to diaspora

The Ministry of Information (MINFOR) is poised to launch and upgrade several websites as a platform for Rwandans living abroad and those within the country by end of the year. In a telephone interview with The New Times, the Director General in the ministry, Ignatius Kabagambe, said that the move is aimed at disseminating accurate and regular information about the country to the world over counter prevailing distortions. So far, Kabagambe noted little is known about Rwanda other than the Genocide against the Tutsi and its aftermath. “There is need to inform our audience out there, our development partners for instance, about the progress after the Genocide, tourist’s attraction sites, investment opportunities, the achievements and other projections,” Kabagambe noted. Kabagambe noted that Rwandans living in abroad would use such information to inform other people about Rwanda. “We realised that the Diaspora people are an asset…we can use them to communicate accurately about Rwanda; we must therefore feed them quick and regular information about Rwanda, to be able to tell the true story.” Kabagambe also said that the Ministry of Information would spearhead concerted efforts to ensure all Ministries websites are updated as regularly as possible. “Websites are just one avenue we are going to use, in addition we will exploit internet social networks such as twitter and facebook to coordinate, organize and share information with people living in and out of Rwanda,” Kabagambe said. In the same context a President’s website has already been initialized www.paulkagame.com separate from the existing www.presidency.gov.rw. The website comes packed with links to new social networking tools such as twitter and facebook. The dedicated page will also offer information regarding presidential events, speeches and related information. Ends

National

Gov’t reaches out to diaspora