In the just concluded Rwanda Day, President Paul Kagame elaborated a list of achievements in Rwanda. Judging from a string of reports and indicators, something positive is behind the laurels; Revolutionary policies, commitment, but most important of all, running against clock to get results.

Rwanda had to run where others were walking in order to catch up, there was no time to waste. What is most rewarding is that it has eclipsed many countries in many areas,

That would not have happened had it dragged its feet, it moved forward with a sense of urgency.

The President, during his interactions with participants of Rwanda Day, raised the red flag on certain policies that were not followed up.

One was brought up by a young person in the Diaspora who sought to know the possibilities of learning Kinyarwanda and the country’s culture. The President could not understand why the project had not taken off yet it had been discussed on three earlier occasions.

The other was technical; why couldn’t we subsidise the Data Centre as hosting in Rwanda was sometimes as much as a hundred times more expensive than in other countries?

Procrastination is an enemy of development and Rwanda cannot afford to let its guard down. It is such issues raised in Rwanda Day that stimulate action and reflection that brings out the importance of similar events.

Ideas exchanged in Rwanda Day should not be kept in the bottom drawer especially when they are aimed at improving Rwanda’s place on the map, be it cultural or technological.