When the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were set, back then in 2000, they homed in on particular areas that countries needed to prioritise for the well being of their people. Rwanda is one of the few countries that met nearly all the goals, especially reducing infant mortality, improving maternal health and reducing poverty. The results are visible; the population is healthier due to the roll out of the community health insurance scheme and many have been lifted out of poverty and do not shy to share their stories. Now as world leaders converge in New York for the UN General Assembly, the development goalposts have been shifted, putting more emphasis on sustainability. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is the new benchmark, and as President Paul Kagame said as the co-chair of the MDG Advocacy group, while the new goals may be more ambitious, they will only succeed if they go hand-in-hand with good governance. He referred to the relationship as a triangle where ideas, funding and good governance converge; miss out one ingredient and it is back to the drawing board. Rwandans will have to surpass themselves to achieve the new goals and that is why local leadership will need to show the same commitment exhibited in achieving the MDG. Ideas are aplenty, finances can be mobilized, but in the end it will be exemplary governance that will do the trick.
