The Togolese Minister in Charge of Planning and Development, Dede Ahoefa Ekouhe, yesterday applauded Rwanda’s effective utilisation of foreign aid to spur national development, saying that Africa needs to be reconstructed to accelerate the attainment of national goals

"The 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid effectiveness offers a challenge to Africa on the issue of aid efficiency for the evaluation of development. Rwanda’s important progress in the coordination and implementation of foreign aid must offer a good experience to other African countries on aid management and how visionary leadership can have an impact on development,” She said yesterday, during a conference for African Francophone countries.

The meeting, which was hosted in Kigali, attracted over 60 delegates from 19 countries to discuss and share best practices in preparation for the upcoming forum on aid effectiveness for Francophone countries due to take place in Busan, South Korea.

Ekouhe highlighted the importance of partnerships between French speaking countries to foster economic growth.

John Rwangomba, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said that the country is well placed as a member of both the Francophone and Commonwealth English speaking blocs to exchange ideas and learn from both.

"Rwanda is one of the few countries where donors do not dictate terms because we are in the driving seat,” Rwangomba said.

"Our goal is not to appease donors but to improve citizens’ lives. African governments must have a clear program, be open and accountable and be committed to implement the programs. This way, they will bring about development and also impress the donors.”

The delegates also reflected on the progress made by their respective countries in the areas of fighting corruption and the status of national instruments and systems.

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