Family welfare association gets new committee

Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) has named a new committee for the Rwandan Association for the Promotion of Family Welfare (ARBEF) following incessant internal conflicts that have marred the association for the past year.In May last year, government, in partnership with International Planned Parenthood Federation, set up an interim committee to oversee ARBEF operations over a period of six months to restore its structures.The committee will now hand over to a newly-elected Board of Directors led by Jerome Mbonirema, the president, deputised by Helene Uwambaye, and Virginie Muragijemariya as secretary.Dr Laurien Nyabienda, who was at the helm of the health association before the naming of the interim committee, returns as executive director.During the takeover of the new leadership from the interim leaders, Anastase Shyaka, the CEO of RGB, urged the team to put in place measures for better management of the association.“You’ve the mandate to manage the institution. The infighting by the former leadership has had a negative impact, which should serve as a lesson,” he said. He asked the NGO to put in place internal system of control and accountability.Jackline Kamanzi, the RDB acting director-general, who chaired the interim board, said the infighting in ARBEF was based on rumours, which led to the wrangles, intrigues, and eventually factions.Mbonirema said his team would work towards revamping the image of ARBEF.“We shall first bring together the two factions to solve the problem, and any decision in the organisation will be taken by a consensus,” said Mbonirema.ARBEF is a non-profit organisation dealing in family planning and sexual and reproductive health to fight HIV/Aids.

National

Family welfare association gets new committee