Creating networks key to good governance, says UNDP Africa boss

The power to carry on with good governance in Rwanda lies in creating networks that will gather expertise from different levels, the Director of the United Nations Development Programme Regional Bureau for Africa, Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, has said. Dieye made the remarks on Tuesday after meeting with officials at Rwanda Governance Board in Kigali. The visit aimed at learning about Rwanda’s context of good governance, sustainable development goals, development, and the lessons that can be learned from it. Speaking to journalists, Dieye said that for development to take root and be sustained, great vision, strong policies, and strong institutions are critical elements. But all these are not enough without “good, inclusive and accountable governance, and transformative governance” he said, adding that this is the secret behind Rwanda’s economic gains in recent years. He observed that the power to carry forward this noble agenda of good and inclusive governance is in the network that is being created. “I understand that they (RGB) have connection at the district level where they can gather expertise so that they don’t have to always create expertise at the centre,” he said. Dieye acknowledged what has already been done in governance, pointing to the citizens’ score card which he described as a unique tool that shows that the government gives space to all actors and that development is a co-construction between the government and all actors. Dieye added that as the country is devising its next vision, he sees RGB as a lead actor in the foresight analysis. “It will command and demand a lot of leadership but I am convinced that with their network of experts and academia, they can throw into that to support the foresight visioning exercise and this is extremely important,” he said, adding that he saw RGB as a hub not only for Rwanda but for the whole of Africa. The envoy, who is in Kigali for Youth Connekt Africa summit, also urged Rwandan youth to build on what their leaders have achieved for a better future. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Creating networks key to good governance, says UNDP Africa boss