National Leadership Retreat opens today

About 300 senior leaders from central, local government, parastatals and the private sector are meeting at the Rwanda Defence Force Combat Training Centre in Gabiro in Gatsibo District for the annual National Leadership retreat. Participants for the 15th edition of the annual National Leadership retreat left Kigali yesterday afternoon for the four-day retreat, from February 26 to March. The retreat will reflect on, among other things, Rwanda’s current status in relation to the country’s development targets, prerequisites for transformational growth and improving quality of health services, according to a government statement. Also on the agenda include education for a knowledge-based economy and how to better position Rwanda. President Paul Kagame is expected to chair the retreat and deliver the opening and closing remarks. The retreat will also feature a presentation from Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente on the implementation status of the 2017 Leadership Retreat recommendations. According to Auditor General Obadiah Biraro, the retreat, “in terms of cooperate governance, is like an annual general meeting of shareholders of the Republic of Rwanda.” Anastase Shyaka, the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), said that it’s time for a new momentum on transformational agenda. “The leadership retreat is a time for new momentum in delivery, coordination and focusing on things that are transformational. We might not necessarily be succeeding in the things we take as resolutions but the most important thing is that we are sure this arrangement has an impact on our level of delivery and advancement of government programmes,” Shyaka said. Francois Habitegeka, Nyaruguru district mayor, noted that the fact that this retreat brings together all national leaders from different levels, diplomats, analysts and commentators is an opportunity to “challenge each other” on a number of issues that would be vital in shaping the national development agenda. The National Leadership Retreat, commonly known as Umwiherero, borrows from a tradition in Rwandan culture whereby leaders would convene to reflect on issues affecting their communities. The objective of these meetings was to identify solutions and commit to achieving them. Today, Umwiherero has become one of several homegrown governance tools that allow Rwanda’s leaders to hold themselves accountable. It provides with them an opportunity to reflect on the country’s progress and identify strategies to accelerate delivery of national priorities while solving current challenges. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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National Leadership Retreat opens today