As over 300 senior leaders conclude the 12th National Leadership Retreat (Umwiherero) today, the writing on the wall is clear. It’s time to deliver or be held accountable. By the time the next retreat comes up in 2016, the discussion should not be about stalled projects, but rather a review of how all projects were implemented as planned. The 2014 Leadership Retreat resolutions were not fully implemented, and this could be due to issues that took centre stage at this year’s retreat like lack of accountability among leaders. As the leaders embark on implementing the resolutions from the retreat, ensuring accountability should be prioritized as a corner stone to deliver on targets. Leaders should be above suspicion and should embrace accountability if the national development goals are to be achieved. In the past, we had cases where leaders are the perpetrators of acts that contravene the principles of accountability like the mutuelle desante corruption scandal which implicated leaders. After the retreat, leaders must renew their commitment to avoid such incidents from happening again, as they not only hurt the people but also hinder national development. Behaviors or practices that curtail the country’s development and the citizen’s welfare should not be tolerated. Like President Paul Kagame reminded the leaders, it is their full responsibility to deliver on the set targets. But these targets can’t be achieved if leaders involve in acts that compromise development like any form of corruption. Leaders at all levels should take responsibility for their actions and should ensure that such actions are in line with achieving the national development goals. Leadership is about providing service above self and not an opportunity for personal enrichment at the expense of the people you serve.
