Paul Kagame

12th Presidential Advisory Council to focus on health and education

Kigali, 4 April 2013

President Kagame today chaired the 12th meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) at Urugwiro Village. Among other discussions, the council looked at ways of improving the economy, education and health as a way of fast tracking economic growth.

At the end of the first day of the three-day meeting, Kaia Miller, one of the members of the Presidential Advisory Council said:

“High economic growth has been sustained at over 8% over the last four years, and also equally impressive are gains in health and education in terms of enrolment and early childhood education and vocational training to give the community essential skills. Broadly speaking we have to maintain or even increase economic growth which is a challenge. We need increased investments in education and health because people are the engine of economic growth. The remarkable thing about Rwanda is the ability to think creatively about finding funding for its projects.”

Kigali, 5 April 2013

Today at Urugwiro Village, the newly appointed Kenyan High Commissioner John Mwangemi presented his credentials to President Kagame. High Commissioner Mwangeii replaces Rose Makena Muchiri who has been appointed as the Kenyan Ambassador in the Netherlands.

Through implementation of the Rwanda-Kenya Joint Permanent Commission, Rwanda and Kenya have strengthened cooperation in education including tertiary education and vocational training, security and trade, bilateral relations. Speaking to the press following his meeting with President Kagame, High Commissioner John Mwangeni expressed Kenya's intention to see bilateral partnerships continue to increase:

“It is my intention to further develop and deepen our relationship between our two peoples. We value very much our neighbors and you will see a very strong focus on regional integration. We plan to strengthen trade diplomacy and we will deploy resources within our embassies to enhance trade between our two governments.”

John Mwangemi’s posting to Rwanda marks his first diplomatic experience. He previously served as Vice-President of Africa and Middle East Region’s operations of a leading multinational company in the field food safety and security, facility hygiene and product protection.

10th National Leadership Retreat ends with renewed commitment to transform Rwanda into middle income nation by 2020

Gatsibo District, 29 March 2013

The last day of the 10th National Leadership Retreat focused on infrastructure, human capacity development and the improvement of public service delivery. President Kagame urged all public service officials to look beyond presentations on achievements and to keep an open mind to the kind of learning that will lead to the change Rwanda wants:

“We know what we want and we should not be adverse to learning. If we are sure of where we want to go and what it takes for us to get there, why should it be difficult? It is about having the right attitude.”

On the issue of the obstacles Rwanda continues to face, President Kagame told the leaders present to consider it motivation to achieve even more:

“Injustices are a reminder, they keep waking you up and push you to give your all.”

Gatsibo District, 28 March 2013

President Kagame said today that it was clear progress has been made in the areas of understanding what needs to be done and how it should be done, but that a lot remains to be done when it comes to implementation. President Kagame was speaking on the first day of the 10th National Leadership Retreat taking place at Gabiro School of Infantry in Gatsibo District, Eastern Province. About 270 senior officials from central and local government, representatives of the legislative and judiciary as well as members of private sector are meeting at the retreat to strategise on accelerating Rwanda’s economic growth.

President Kagame said that the targets in Rwanda’s development strategy were essential for the transformation of the lives of all Rwandans:

“We want 11% growth to ensure that Rwandans lead the life they deserve. We are no longer a resigned Rwanda where Rwandans did not believe they could aspire to be like others. As leaders we must believe and we must make others believe that we can achieve. We are really no different in terms of those aspirations from those who want to determine how we live our lives. You don't do it for them, you do it with them. That is the duty you have as leaders. That is why we are here.”