A quick peek at the household performance contract notebook

The Imihigo, or performance contracts model, have been hailed as another successful home grown solution that has ensured accountability and proper service delivery in local governments. Umuganda (community work), Gacaca and Itorero can be considered in the same vein, as initiatives over which Rwanda received scores of delegations that came here with prospects of replicating similar policies in their respective countries. The performance-based approach that started in 2006 has been vital in promoting accountability and transparency, encouraging innovation, involving citizens in development programmes and promoting a culture of regular performance evaluation. My experience with the practice is that it has rejuvenated service delivery especially at the local level, where some years ago, a local leader was something akin to a demi-god. Development targets are measurable and citizens right from the village level are consulted in setting development priorities in social welfare, governance and economic development. Local leaders are held accountable through an evaluation process. Leaders who fail to deliver on their targets usually have a lot of explaining to do; many have been sent packing as a result. Performance contracts have received a whole new meaning after being rolled out at family level. So you don’t have to be a government official to set development targets for which you will be held accountable. After a piece-meal implementation, “Ikaye y’Imihigo” or the performance contract notebook is now the buzzword, especially in the countryside. Families are required to keep a notebook where their development targets for the year are noted. Local leaders help these families to set realistic goals that are within their financial means and are in line with village development goals. There has been mixed reactions concerning this practice with some pundits arguing that government is interfering in the affairs of families, they opine that issues concerning families are ‘private affairs’ and should be left as such. This is where they get it wrong. The family is recognised by the Constitution as the foundation of Rwandan society. Government has a constitutional role under Article 27 to protect this institution. Protection can be adjudged to mean promotion of peaceful relationships between spouses, promotion of hygiene and proper nutrition and family planning; ensuring that the institution of the family prospers and makes meaningful contribution to national growth and development. Building on the success of the Imihigo programme at local government level, the implementation of the same at family level to me is the only logical way. Some of the basic targets on the family notebook could include; having family members subscribed to community health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé), setting up of a kitchen garden, enrolling children of school going age in schools, family planning and saving with a local SACCO. This is what any responsible family would want to achieve but experience shows that this culture of planned development especially at family level has been lacking. This is what makes the notebook approach handy in propagating a culture of planned development in the populace. Successful implementation of the programme in an institution that is considered as ‘private’ will require flexibility especially on the part of local government officials. It should not be seen as if it is being imposed on them; doing so will breed resistance. In the past we have seen some overzealous government officials who have bungled otherwise good programmes like the eradication of grass thatched houses. Local government officials need to be sensitised on how they will help families set achievable targets and move along with them in the implementation. The role of local leadership and other development partners such as civil society organisations and faith based organisations will be vital in the implementation of this home grown solution given the largest percentage of the population lacks numeracy and literacy skills. The writer is a journalist

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A quick peek at the household performance contract notebook