Promoting Rwanda should be every citizen's responsibility

Editor, RE: “Experts call for use of social media to promote tourism in the region” (The New Times, June 2). The level of patriotism among Rwandans is immeasurable and the true love for their country is deeply rooted in their hearts. From Facebook to WhatsApp and Instagram you will find Rwandans posting photos depicting the beauty of their country doing the rounds almost on hourly basis. I was imagining how, in a very short period of time, the world knows the new building in Kigali named Kigali Convention Centre, even before it has opened its doors. Photos of this complex have been doing rounds on different platforms across the world and this, I believe, is something that Rwandans can teach their counterparts from the region. Rather than using social media on non-constructive things. Public Relations has in my view been revolutionalised by the invention of social media where everyone with a smart phone (not necessarily a sophisticated one) is able to reach out to the world with just a simple click. With these platforms, therefore, we should not leave the job of promoting the country to the government or branding agencies that do not come cheap. This, however, does not mean governments should not get involved. I have been following Shaka Ssali on his Voice of America show debating on why investors are flocking into Rwanda despite the fact that the “regime” is authoritarian (in his wish I guess). In his answer (without research I believe) he argued that Rwanda has heavily invested in “public relations.” It is all enough to agree or disagree, but Rwandans’ patriotism stands above public relations. Rwandans are at the helm of their true story of revival and this is something they can extend to their counterparts in the region. Yulian

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Promoting Rwanda should be every citizen's responsibility