Grassroots leaders play a key role in advancing the development of the country by pushing for positive change in the attitudes, practices and mindset within local communities, the Southern Province Governor Alphonse Munyantwari has said.

Munyantwari was speaking at the closure of a two-day retreat for local leaders and health officials in Gisagara District on Tuesday.

The retreat was an occasion for leaders to discuss development policies, implementation of performance contracts as well as efforts to advance and promote local development and citizens’ welfare.

The leaders also discussed ways of promoting hygiene and sanitation among local residents as a way of building healthy communities, officials said.

While speaking at the closure of the retreat, Governor Munyantwari commended grassroots leaders for serving the public diligently, something he said has helped local communities to make significant economic gains.

Munyantwari urged leaders to keep improving people’s lives and encouraged them to remain committed.

He challenged them to remain committed to fostering development in their respective communities.

"Without a positive mindset change, we cannot achieve the development we want,” Munyantwari told the leaders.

He promised continuous support to ensure that they deliver on their promises.

Munyantwari advised them to remain closer to the people they lead, listen to their queries and opinions and learn from each other to improve the quality of their performance.

Participants said the retreat gave them an opportunity for self-evaluation and was an occasion to come up with new resolves to further advance citizens’ growth.

Marie Claire Gisa, the Executive Secretary of BwizaCell, Kansi Sector, expressed her commitment to serving the public by ensuring quality services.

She, however, said grassroots leaders still face serious challenges that are hampering their efforts toward a quick transformation of local communities.

Gisa singled out the lack of self-confidence among some leaders, lack of enough information on some development programmes and limited financial capacities as some of the challenges facing local leaders.

"We need to be supported and constantly advised to ensure quality services,” she said.