Kigali — President Paul Kagame, yesterday, emphasised that what developing nations like Rwanda need is a “meaningful relationship” with donors, where people are accorded the right to think and do what they think is in their best interest, and strongly stressed the need for accountability.

Addressing the 9th Government and Development Partners Meeting which began yesterday in Kigali, President Kagame said that developing countries do not need “endless lectures” but rather aid that can help in sustainable development.

The President singled out donors who use aid to interfere in the politics of recipient countries, noting that Rwandans are better placed to discern what is best for them

“I want to stress that Rwanda has long since come of age and that this government is part and parcel of our people, fully representative as they have so decided. And as we are able to manage our socio-economic process, so are we able to manage our political project,” he said.

“It is therefore sometimes uncalled for, that we become subjects of endless lectures of how we should manage ourselves. We know what is best for us. No one should pretend that they know better than us what we need for ourselves,” Kagame said.

He added that while development partners play a role in providing financial support to strengthen the democratic process, this can only succeed if the support is predictable, effective and supports the democratic processes a given country is building.

Kagame thanked the donors and said that Rwanda values the support it receives from the development partners and which has undoubtedly contributed to the good progress the country boasts of today.

“The aid received by countries like Rwanda, should seek to help us develop sustainably and in a dignified manner, rather than create dependency.

“In this meaningful relationship, we are always open to good ideas and innovations, but ultimately it is us who need to make the difficult decisions,” Kagame said.

Kagame noted that Rwanda has met its commitments and effected basic, yet critical, reforms in areas such as Public Financial Management, planning, audit and procurement procedures, which constitute a firm foundation for further reform and development adopted in the last meetings.

President Kagame thanked the World Bank Vice President for Africa, Obiageli Ezekwesili for delivering the good news of Rwanda’s performance in the 2011 WB Doing Business Report, adding that Rwanda becoming the 2nd best reformer is a sign that the reforms have been effective.

“Since these reforms do have impact, I want to thank Ms. Ezekwesili for being the bearer of good news on Rwanda’s performance in the Doing Business rankings 2011.”

“We have no intention of resting on our laurels and today’s announcement strengthens our resolve to not only continue the reforms but go further still,” President Kagame said.

On her part, Ezekwesili noted that Rwanda is a model of countries that are well on course to achieve the MDGs, adding that it was the reason the country merits support, adding has it has proved to be a model for countries utilising aid.

“For us Rwanda is a very important partner because of the results that we can clearly see and it is because of countries like Rwanda that we continue to push the envelop a little bit further and even move beyond aid effectiveness and begin to look at aid as investment,” she said.

KIGALI, RWANDA —  After months of international criticism, much fueled by the West’s traditional thoughts of a hopeless Africa and its dirty politics, President Paul Kagame was elected into a second term early yesterday morning.  Everything from the exile of former military leaders to the arrest of an outspoken defense attorney has been intensely scrutinized and blamed on Kagame’s ruling government.  That’s the blueprint for covering African elections.  Yet what hasn’t been covered is a country’s overwhelming support for a leader who has brought security and development to a nation once consumed with violent, extremist politics.

The disapproval of some human rights groups, and their  insistence that America’s long-refined democracy is the  universal solution to the world’s problems, has smeared the  work of an incredibly effective government.   Sixteen years  have passed since the destruction of Rwanda’s  infrastructure, economy, schools and hospitals.  Now the  roads are the best in the region, the economy has been voted  the top reformer in the World Bank’s 2009 Doing Business  Report, the education system is unprejudiced and far-  reaching (the government extended its compulsory education  to the ninth grade), and national health insurance covers  92% of the population (A Poor Nation, With a Help  Plan). Kagame leads with results, and he was re-elected  because of these results.

Now Kagame asks the West for the ultimate trust between the developing and the developed: investment.  American businessmen like Tom Phillips and Scott Ford have responded to Kagame’s call to entrepreneurship, with the founding of Ikiraro Chicken Farms and the Rwanda Trading Company, respectively.  They have responded to Kagame’s call for foreign investment, and are the reason why Rwanda sets itself apart from many aid-dependent African countries.

May of this year saw the inauguration of Ikiraro’s first chicken house, where 2,500 chicks will soon begin laying eggs for a region lacking in protein. Bishop John Rucyahana (pictured) leads a prayer over its operations, with government officials and U.S. industry consultants in attendance.

In 2009 Scott Ford started exporting green coffee beans to the United States and Europe, organizing a network of suppliers to improve the efficiency of Rwanda’s coffee supply chain, as well as providing the best prices to its producers.

It is the establishment of security and progression towards Vision 2020, Kagame’s target of transforming Rwanda into a middle income country by 2020, that has bonded the people with its leader.  Kagame makes decisions for his people, and cares only about policies that bring sustainable results.  Thus the people have entrusted him with their future.  In the lead up to the announcement of the election’s winner, I went to Kigali’s Amahoro Stadium to witness the energy of such overwhelming support.

In the stands sat Rwandan businessmen cheering for a man who makes business easier and more profitable.

Pulsing crowds from Kigali’s low-income housing districts danced wildly on the field, showing their pride for a leader who aims to make them middle class.

And the police stood idle amidst a jubilant crowd, a reminder that only the freedom of safety can enable true progress.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Charles Murigande and religious leaders join residents to pray for peace during the Monday elections. (Photo D.Sabiiti)

GASABO – Over 12,000 believers from various religious denominations in Kigali City yesterday thronged Amahoro National Stadium to pray for today’s Presidential elections to be peaceful. The crusade which kicked off in the afternoon till sunset was dubbed “Rwanda is in your hands Lord.”

The event was mostly characterized by prayers by several pastors, testimonies and entertainment from local church choirs such as the renowned Rehoboth Ministries, Catholic Choir, Amahoro and Hosiana of ADEPR and Adventist church, and a special entertainment from The Sisters.

Pastor Antoine Rutayisire, the senior pastor of St. Etienne who observed that bad politics plunged the country into Genocide, urged all churches to wake up and play their role in changing the mindset of Rwandans.

“It’s now our (churches) time to pave the way for a better Rwanda. Rwanda is ours always. If we sleep, it will crumble down,” Rutayisire noted, calling on all Rwandans to love and always pray for their country.

He recalled the day of April 17, 1994 when he was among those who survived in the Stadium and said “Rwanda was destroyed by Rwandans who should join hands to rebuild it.

” Bishop Faustin Bashaka observed that Rwanda has made a tremendous step in development, especially in the last seven years. Economy, good governance, education, healthcare and decentralization are among the sectors, Bashaka said have developed.

“All these and the peace and security Rwandans are enjoying was a result of good leadership and such leaders need to be rewarded…but only the lord can,” he said.

Various clergymen and women prayed that Rwanda continues to be peaceful. Charles Murigande, the Minister of Education, who presided over the event, commended the religions’ efforts to change Rwandans.

He commended them for their partnership with the government in creating a peaceful country and to partner in having a seven year term of peace and development.

The crusade organised in partnership with Kigali City was also attended by the city Mayor, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira and the Anglican church Archbishop, Emmanuel Kolini, among others.

http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=14347&article=32324

More Rwanda news

28 July 2010

Kamonyi — THE Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) Presidential candidate, Paul Kagame, has said that he intends to increase free education from nine to 12 years.

Kagame, made the remarks during a campaign rally in Kamonyi District, where more than 95,000 RPF supporters had converged to listen to their candidates’ message.

In 2003, while campaigning for the top office, Kagame pledged nine years of free education, a promise he has since fulfilled. Yesterday, he pledged an additional three years, making both primary and secondary school education free for all, if voted back into office.

The campaign rally in Kamonyi, just like previous ones, was characterized by extreme excitement as residents evidently celebrated Kagame’s visit.

According to the testimonies given during the rally, before Kagame came into office, Kamonyi was isolated and branded a cursed zone. The District, that is located less than 30 kilometers from the capital, Kigali, had no electricity or piped water, until Kagame was elected President.

The residents continuously sang songs in praise of Kagame, thanking him for the developments Kamonyi has registered, as well as restoring their dignity and pride as Rwandans.

Addressing the mammoth excited crowd, Kagame said that work becomes easier when there is a good understanding among the people and that Rwanda’s path to democracy, development, and good governance is very clear, with Kamonyi residents taking lead in that path.

He added that Rwanda is a privileged country with citizens who understand what exactly they want and make their own choices. He reminded the residents that the country has made tremendous progress in all sectors.

The candidate said that he has big plans for Kamonyi, adding that if elected, the district will benefit from the programmes as spelt in his manifesto.

Kagame, went on to assure the residents of security, saying that nobody can ever tamper with the safety of Kamonyi people.

The candidate castigated foreign critics, including some sections of the media, saying that the massive turn out at his rallies sends out the massage as what the Rwandan people want and those who criticize what is happening in the country know nothing about Rwanda. He added that nobody knows better what Rwandans want, than Rwandans themselves.

Kagame, reminded Kamonyi residents that the country was once known for dirty politics, and that the Rwandan people cannot accept to go down that path again.

At the rally, Celestine Habimana, gave a testimony on how his life changed after putting into practice advice from Kagame’s speech, he once heard over the radio.

“I based on his encouragement on innovativeness to start up a business. In partnership with my colleague, we started a small technical school with only Rwf 200, 000, and now the business is worth Rwf 30m, with over 120 students,” Habimana said.

Dativa Nirere, also told the crowd of how she set up a cassava business with a only Rwf 50,000 and now the business is valued at Rwf 5m.

“I have gone through a series of trainings, I’m among the women leaders and I now know how to use a computer,” she said.

President Kagame, Dr. Hamadoun Toure, (L) and Mr. Carlos Slim (R) at the meeting yesterday (Courtesy Photo)

President Paul Kagame, has called on the world to recognise the important link between broadband technology and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).

Kagame, made the remarks, yesterday, at the first meeting of the recently launched Broadband Commission for Digital Development held at the International Telecommunication Union headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland which he co-chaired with Honorary Lifetime Chairman of Grupo Carso, Mr. Carlos Slim.

He challenged the newly formed commission to address the pressing issue of coming up with effective recommendations on how to capitalize on progress already made, make it replicable and far reaching so that citizens all over the world are better connected.

“I think we will all agree that ICTs and Broadband in particular, cannot be an end in themselves – we want fast and efficient communication as solutions to fast track socio-economic transformation in our societies,” Kagame said.

“This is why the link between Broadband and delivering on millennium development goals is so important.”

Dr. Hamadoun Toure, who serves as vice- chair of the commission urged all governments to view broadband as part of their ‘basic national infrastructure’.

“In the 21st century, affordable, ubiquitous broadband networks will be as critical to social and economic prosperity as networks like transport, water and power,” he said.

“Not only does broadband deliver benefits across every sector of society, but it also helps promote social and economic development, and will be key in helping us get the Millennium Development Goals back on track,” Toure said.

The commission which is comprised of some 30 commissioners representative of varying sectors including technology, business and social sectors adopted 10 written recommendations to fast track the deployment of broadband infrastructure globally.

In his closing remarks to the meeting, President Kagame thanked the commissioners for their contribution in making the recommendations.

“The combined knowledge, experiences and commitment of members in this room demonstrates that we have what it takes to make the goal of universal broadband access, and the benefits this offers to the world’s people, attainable,” Kagame said.

“There is no doubt, that using Broadband to unleash peoples’ full potential is an economic imperative for attaining an inclusive and prosperous global economic society.”

The recommendations adopted during the meeting will be compiled into a final report that will be presented to the UN Secretary General, September 19, ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York.

President Paul Kagame yesterday said that he feels greatly honoured to be appointment co-chair of the MDG Advocacy Group, made up of the world’s leading thinkers, coming together to combat poverty.

He said that he is ready to share Rwanda’s experience with the rest of the world.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon named a high-profile committee including President Kagame as a co-chair, aimed at combating poverty, assessing and fast tracking implementation of Millennium Development Goals.

On his appointment to co-chair the group with the Spanish Prime Minister, who is also the current President of the European Union (EU), Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Kagame said that it is a sign that the UN recognises the contribution Rwanda is capable of making.

“Through the appointment, it is an honour to our country Rwanda to be recognised that we can make a contribution in this development process which will involve our own country, but also concerns and affects other developing nations.

“We are happy to be there in that capacity as requested by the Secretary General that I participate in a group of selected people who can help examine what has been done, what needs to be done, and when we can be at the level we want, in the next few years.”

Kagame said that he will be bringing to this group Rwanda’s experience and also “happily share” how the country has come to register impressive progress and at the same time dealing with the many challenges it faced.

“I have happily accepted to be part of that process as a co-chair together with the President of the EU and there will be many people of different backgrounds who have a lot of experience and resources. I am happy to be with them dealing with this challenge,” Kagame said.

Others in the group include Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, former Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, CNN’s founder, Ted Turner and Jeffrey Sachs of The Earth Institute and professor at Columbia University.

Announcing the group, Ki-moon said “distinguished” personalities from China, India, Japan and Britain will also join the panel.

“As you can see, this is a real collection of superheroes in defeating poverty,” the UN chief said.

The Secretary General announced the team while releasing the 2010 Millennium Development Goals Report.

Fans of President Paul Kagame Are Now Networking Online Through a Well designed website that has highly active blogs, latest news, videos as some of its components.

With days of being hosted on its own domain name; www.mykagame.org, the website has already registered thousands of national and international fans, according to Kennedy Kaze, one of the IT experts who developed the highly interactive website.

“The traffic on the website is increasing each minute, each hour, each day that passes. This is an indication of the popularity of our President,” he observed.

He added that he is “not surprised by the good trend since President Kagame has influence and touched many lives in a positive way.”

“These blogs prove the high sense of pride, love and respect that the fans have for the President,” Kaze observed.

A short review of the website shows options for fans to join for free, the President’s profile, awards and achievements.

Others include the President’s pledges and manifesto, alongside sections for the main events and entertainment.

Most of the blogs posted on the website by both Rwandans and foreigners pour a lot of praise on the President for developing the nation, re-instilling a sense of pride among Rwandans and re-building a sense of unity countrywide.

“I admire President Kagame’s statesmanship,” says a blog posted by one Ruganzu.

“All fans will also be able to follow the President’s campaign trail live on the website through a blog that will be updated by the minute as the President campaigns through the country,” observed another fan, Karl Steiner, who stays abroad.

“It feels good being able to share thoughts, ideas with fellow fans through this forum. We’re even able to advise our leaders on issues to address during the second term of office,” observed another excited fan who only identified herself as Claire.

Copyright © 2010 The New Times. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

For more Rwanda News – visit www.bridge2rwanda.org

KIGALI – President Paul Kagame has been awarded the 2010 Rwanda Convention Association (RCA) Award of Excellence in recognition of his role in steering Rwanda towards a knowledge-based economy and promotion of the private sector.

In a statement announcing the winners, Kagame was also recognized for overseeing Rwanda’s economic growth of 7-8%, annually, over the past decade.

In an interview with The New Times, the RCA’s head of protocol and planning, Carol Rugege, said that President Kagame had greatly improved education by making primary education free, as well as creating the Presidential Scholars Program that gives students the opportunity to pursue higher education in the U.S, U.K, South Africa, and Asia.

“16 years after the Genocide, the country has made a turnaround to achieve development that is acclaimed worldwide. This is attributed to the good leadership of President Kagame,” Rugege said.

“It’s important that we recognize his good leadership, which has laid a foundation for great achievements in all sectors of Rwanda”.

Other winners include, Michael Fairbanks, Chairman of the OTF Group, a strategy-consulting firm based in Boston, who was awarded RCA Investor of the year.

Denny Snyder, the Managing Director of Medical Missions for Children (MMFC), was awarded the humanitarian award. According to Rugege, Snyder was honored for “the impact MMFC has had on Rwandan youth.”

Alexander Dauge-Roth, the founder of the Friends of Tubeho Association, scooped the Friend of Rwanda Award, while Rwandan musician and songwriter, Jean-Paul Samputu, won the 2010 RCA Artist Award.

Samputu was recognized as the founder of the Mizero Children of Rwanda, a non-profit public charity with branches in Nyanza, USA and Canada.

All the five winners were selected based on online polls.
The award giving ceremony is slated for May 29, during the 2010 Rwanda convention that will take place in Boston, MA, from May 28-29.

Rwanda Convention Association is a private initiative that started in 2004 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to contributing to the development of Rwanda’s education, private sector, technology, and the media.

Historically, governments, philanthropists and corporations–mainly led by men–have attempted to solve the world’s problems by imposing solutions upon the masses. This persistent top-down approach often fails to engage with citizens, and is particularly ineffective when confronting the most challenging tasks. It also ignores the critical foundation for stable markets and governments–women–who have become increasingly isolated and vulnerable.

Recent studies by the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) and the World Bank show us that women are the key stakeholders for establishing strong, stable communities. As such, their companies and countries in turn make important global partners in creating efficient and functioning economies. Unfortunately, when it comes to developing these emerging markets, women are often ignored or treated as aid recipients, excluded from the actual process of product and service development. It is rare that we stop to ask those in need how they would solve their problems.

Luckily, the winds are beginning to shift. Over the last decade the initiative and inventiveness of millions of women has been unleashed through a focus on finding solutions to the world’s problems by working with those who are directly affected.

Recent efforts like the Girl Effect, a global campaign to build momentum around adolescent girls as change agents, and research by ICRW, which highlights how technology can economically advance women around the globe, are at the forefront of the push to address the needs of women. Likewise, the Clinton Global Initiative is encouraging its members to see empowering women and girls as a key element in their development toolbox. And global innovations such as micro-finance are broadening entrepreneurial opportunities–though there’s still a long way to go.

One example of where the role of women has been prioritized is in the rebuilding of Rwanda. President Kagame has mandated that 30% of parliament be women (women represented over 50% after the 2008 elections) and promoted efforts to increase the number of women entrepreneurs. This strategy, which recently won Kagame the African Gender Award issued by the Geneva-based African NGO Femmes Africa Solidarite (FAS), is setting the foundation for Rwanda’s peaceful recovery, and infusing the process with decision-makers who place the highest value on children, nutrition and education.

While Rwanda is a far from perfect place, it serves as an interesting case study. Along with prioritizing women, the country is being highly selective about accepting international aid, taking only that which is absolutely necessary. The country is demonstrating a fundamental shift in the aid mentality, and a new approach to nation building–one that focuses on building local competencies, entrepreneurs and markets.

This is a reminder that the greatest societies were founded not by handouts, but by communities solving their own problems. These societies are not built by faraway entities, but from the bottom up, by citizens who are incentivized to develop the best solutions, and provided the means to bring them to reality. If business is expected to blossom in emerging markets around the world, ensuring the entrepreneurial empowerment of women must be one of our highest priorities. The most successful markets are hotbeds of engaged citizens that have the drive and enabling environment to innovate the future of their countries. People need to have a voice at every stage and on every stage where problems are identified and solved.

My organization, Changemakers.com, helps organizations explore ways to create social innovations, and we’re seeing some interesting new efforts to engage women and support their entrepreneurial vocations. ExxonMobil’s “Women | Tools | Technology Challenge” asks innovators and experts from the around the world to submit transformative solutions for promoting women’s economic advancement. Entries range from new distribution models for solar technology to agriculture training and technologies for rural farmers, and will be evaluated on their potential for impact and sustainability.

ExxonMobil and Ashoka committed to launch the Changemakers challenge at the Clinton Global Initiative’s Annual Meeting last year, because CGI recognized that empowering girls and women is crucial to development efforts. They know that organizations cannot create a healthier environment, expand access to health services, improve education, or alleviate poverty without engaging women and girls.

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