The 7th annual national leadership retreat that kicks off today in Rubavu constitutes a platform for assessing and evaluating the country’s progress over the last 12 months.

The principle of a Government Retreat also provides an opportunity for leaders to jointly discuss and plan for the next year.

As the leaders gather for this year’s retreat, it is important to identify the priority areas that will further drive the country to prosperity.

Time and again President Paul Kagame has emphasized the need for Rwandans to own the country’s development process if results are to be attained.

This is, therefore, the time to reflect on the most strategic ways to own this course so that we can all work towards a common goal of nation building.

Rwanda’s rebuilding journey, over the past 15 years, after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi has been characterized by great achievements but there is still a lot to do as we strive to attain self-sustainability.

The retreat is, therefore, another forum through which our leaders will agree on how to address priority needs of our growing economy, such as boosting the agricultural sector, a major back-bone for economic growth.

Also, among other areas, emphasis should be put on the country’s youth who will be responsible for sustaining the development processes that are put in place today.

As the country moves towards achieving the set development goals identified in the Economic Development Poverty Reduction Strategy and Vision 2020, evaluations should be done to identify the loopholes which may delay progress. 

That said, there is no doubt that leadership retreats are one commendable mechanism for accountability, and also an opportunity for getting back on track in case of diversion.

It is through such mechanisms that we can attain the set goals of vision 2020. 

Ends