Local leaders in Rwanda, like in other developing countries, tend to show off with cosmetic changes to portray development. As President Paul Kagame continues to tour the districts of Eastern Province, local leaders are struggling to paint houses, cut grass and repair roads. All this is done to seemingly impress him and his entourage. But the whole process is an exercise in self deception; for the President is already informed of the good and bad before he visits a particular district. It has been shown time and time again that he is better informed on the affairs of the districts than many of the local leaders themselves. So why waste your time trying to give a false impression, local leader? You will be beaten at your own game. In fact it reminds me of the old days of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere leadership. He once actually shocked and ashamed districts leaders of Tabora, central Tanzania. He was making an official visit to the place, only to find all building newly painted. He said thus:“Mnajua sipendi harufu ya rangi, nakwahio sitayingia kwenye hi hosipitali (I don’t like the smell of paint, and I won’t enter into the building),” he said so to the dismay of many who expecting praise after painting the hospital in anticipation of the president’s visit. Furthermore, it should be understood that what we need is sustainable development-any socio-economic activity that is not sustainable, cannot be regarded as developmental. There is no short cut! We need to put all efforts towards achieving sustainable development. The President is no doubt trying to assess how far the efforts of promoting rural development and fostering better living conditions for the rural poor have gone. The Rwandan Millennium Development Goals primarily emphasizes the need for a strong specific focus on rural people. This calls for sustainable projects which are in any case being done in most of the districts. There are inevitable challenges that we cannot shy away from pronouncing; which is why I concur with Nolan McCarty, an ecologists when he says that “I believe that ecologically friendly sustainable development in Africa is about decision making, trade-offs and the delicate balance of priorities. Like any change process, it requires participation and commitment from top to bottom – from government policies to individual behaviors”. In addition, I believe that new technological and social innovations will be required to provide alternatives to help all Africans maintain their livelihoods without depleting the scarce natural resources available to the African continent:. Despite however, the fear and anxiety gripping local leaders as they anticipate a visit, the situation has left many district towns clean and beautiful. The superb idea of cutting down bushy fences locally known as Imiyenzi and unproductive banana trees has destroyed mosquitoes breeding places and will further reduce the malaria scourge. The new cosmetic change have in essence accompanied with others that have been long overdue. So to many people, it is a blessing in disguise. mugitoni@yahoo.com
