Grassroots partnerships commendable

Members of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) in Kimihurura Sector in the urban district of Gasabo have initiated a community-based development initiative, dubbed, South-South Cooperation, under which it intends to promote strategic partnerships with rural-based cells.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Members of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) in Kimihurura Sector in the urban district of Gasabo have initiated a community-based development initiative, dubbed, South-South Cooperation, under which it intends to promote strategic partnerships with rural-based cells.So far, the sector has linked three of its cells with a sector  – one in Rwamagana District, Eastern Province; another in Rubavu District, Western Province; while the other is in Nyanza District, Southern Province – and says it plans to pair the remaining cells with an upcountry sector each.This initiative, according to the brains behind it, seeks to leverage the various potentials that exist in different communities to help accelerate economic development.That an urban grassroots community could take the initiative to reach out to their rural-based counterparts with technical knowhow and technologies to help boost production is commendable.It is a noble move that deserves replication and one that will potentially bring about a positive impact. By linking communities, best experiences will be shared and challenges jointly tackled for better results.Indeed, urban and rural communities are interdependent and anything that could enhance their productivity deserves support.If each of the 416 sectors and 2,148 cells can participate in the programme, the multiplier effect can produce remarkable results. The Rwanda Association for Local Government Authorities (RALGA) can play a major role here by encouraging such strategic partnerships.Such home-grown approaches are ideal vehicles for accelerated sustainable development.