Rwanda always seems to do things differently, not because Rwandans simply want to set themselves apart from the rest. Rather, they are constantly looking for ways to do things better. 

Take the government for instance. It is always striving to improve its performance, seeking ways to be more accountable and provide better services to citizens. The desired mindset is to seek to do better, which means not being contented with the status quo.

One of those ways of striving for improvement is the periodic collective self-examination of government leaders that is done through different forums such as the National Leadership Retreat, National Dialogue, and Governance Open Day in the districts.

Such forums involve open and frank discussions, and even admission of shortcomings.

By and large, self-examination has worked. Still, failures persist. Targets are missed. Pledges remain unfulfilled. Services go undelivered. Projects take eternity to complete.

One may be tempted to think that there is a risk of this obviously fruitful practice turning into another government routine.  These forums for self-criticism are in danger of becoming annual rituals of mass confession where leaders come to confess their sins, seek and get pardon only to return the following year and go through the whole thing again.

Confession is, of course, common practice among various religious believers. In some Christian churches, after listening to a list of sins, the priest usually tells the penitent: "My child (regardless of age), go back and sin no more.”

But they almost always go back with a tale of similar transgressions. So perhaps leaders can take comfort from the knowledge that they are not the only repeat offenders and perennial penitents.

On the question of self-criticism becoming routine, the answer is yes and no, mainly no. Of course, anything that happens with regularity tends to turn into habit and may lead to complacency.

There is obviously the danger of self-criticism becoming an end in itself and not a means to improve performance. But here is why the Rwandan mode of self-evaluation will remain a useful tool for improvement of performance.

First, continuing with the confession analogy, unlike divine patience and forgiveness that is reportedly limitless, the human sort has a limit. Anyone who does not heed the advice to go back and sin no more will soon find that there is an end to the number of times they can confess and that advice given.

Secondly, evaluation of performance is based on results, not promises. If there are no results, there aren’t any. That is a fact and cannot easily be explained away or responsibility conveniently shifted elsewhere. The buck stops at some point and consequences follow.

Thirdly, the system of evaluation leaves no room for complacency or relapse into inaction because it operates at different levels. It involves self, peer and collective examination.

Then there is the fact that self-examination forums provide opportunity to demand higher ethical standards from leaders and greater accountability to citizens and between themselves.

Finally, there is a Chief Executive who insists on high standards and accountability, and demands that leaders take their public duty seriously and take responsibility for their actions. He keeps people on their toes. Ordinarily that should mean that mediocrity in public service should have been banished ages ago.

Human beings being what they are, they need constant reminding and even chastising in order to do their work better. Occasionally a stick must be wielded and sanctions imposed.

Even God, in his infinite mercy, does that. Going back to the earlier reference to confession, penitents are ordered to do certain acts of penance by way of punishment.

So, the self-examination forums are still useful. And leaders go from them with a feeling of expiation and a resolution not only to sin no more, but avoid every opportunity for sinning.

Instead, they should seek occasion for sanctification (the secular sort) that comes from fulfilling one’s responsibility.

The National Leadership Retreat and similar forums provide opportunity for redemption and sanctification by Rwandans. Blessed are they who will seize it.

jorwagatare@yahoo.co.uk