In the context of the technical forums organized by Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA), City of Kigali and district Vice-Mayors in charge of social affairs met on 21st and 22nd February 2019 at La Palisse Nyamata Hotel in Bugesera District. Senior staff from government institutions in charge of social development also attended the forum. The forum was officially opened by RALGA’s Secretary General, Mr. Ladislas NGENDAHIMANA. The Minister of State in charge of Social Affairs and Social Protection in the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), Dr. Alivera MUKABARAMBA officially closed the forum as the Guest of Honor.
Committed to improve planning, communication and collaboration
Participants had on their agenda critical analysis of achievements, challenges and way forward in the implementation of social protection programs in local government, basing on self-assessment and discussions with invited partners. On the one hand, the Vice-Mayors discussed internal and external factors affecting their performance. Internally, the factors include information sharing and team work among district and City of Kigali staff and elected leaders during planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes from Village to District level. The external factors discussed include issues in collaboration with some partners such as staff of central government institutions who engage staff at local government level directly without informing district and City of Kigali leaders. They also include delays in information sharing on key government programs.
On the other hand, the Vice-Mayors engaged senior staff from the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), Ministry of Health (MINISANTE), Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Rwanda Education Board (REB), and National Early Child Development Program (NECDP) on their presentations about various programs in their areas of interventions. The presentations were opportunities for the Vice-Mayors to learn more about the various programs, to have explanations on aspect they did not master and to voice their concerns for advocacy purposes.
Inspired by shared best practices
In line with the technical forums purpose of learning from peers as one of the best ways to build capacities in cost effective and realistic way, various best practices were shared and inspired various commitments. Among other things, they committed to make efforts to achieve the target of having at least 5 smart classrooms per district basing on the practice shared by Rubavu District about Amahoro Secondary School achievements. They also committed to put in place mechanisms to monitor the achievement of social development targets in the District Performance Contracts, particularly those related to Human Security aspects from Cell to District levels, basing on the “Situation Room” practice shared by Rwamagana District. Basing on the good practice shared by Gakenke District, participants committed to make more efforts in sensitizing all stakeholders so that the “school feeding” program benefits all school children who need it in a sustainable way.
