Author: IGIHE

{The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) are launching smallholder farmer financing programs with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to improve food security among vulnerable people in Rwanda and Tanzania.}

The initiatives with KCB Bank Rwanda Limited and CRDB Bank PLC in Tanzania are part of the Farm to Market Alliance, a multi-stakeholder platform established in 2016, of which IFC and WFP are global members, to create agriculture value chains that secure sizeable local and international demand for produce from smallholder farmers. The Alliance is designed to create systemic change in markets through a holistic approach to smallholder development. This approach, which is sustainable and commercially viable, benefits individual farmers and broadens the global supply base of agricultural produce to meet increasing demand.

“Smallholder farmers produce most of the world’s food, but they form the majority of people living in poverty and often have food security challenges themselves,” said David Beasley, WFP Executive Director. “We want to help them get better access to markets so they build more demand for their products, thus making a long-term impact on the economic future for them and their families. But WFP can’t do it alone, and that’s why we are grateful for our collaboration with others through the Farm to Market Alliance.”

“Agribusiness drives many African economies and creates the most jobs on the continent,” said IFC CEO Philippe Le Houérou. “Through the Farm to Market Alliance, IFC is creating new markets—by connecting smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa directly with buyers. The result: improved productivity and higher living standards for people in rural areas.”

IFC, joined by GAFSP, will provide advisory services in the form of capacity building activities to improve the professionalism of smallholder farmer cooperatives in the area of financial management and governance as well as agronomy and input use training.

{The Attorney General and Minister of Justice has today assured the inmates without complete dossiers that the problem is going to be addressed in a special way.}

The minister made the promise in Huye yesterday during the commemoration of international day for rights of the inmates under the Mandela Day.

Celebrated in Rwanda for the first time, it was marked under the theme; “Respecting the rights of an inmate,”. Mandela Day, celebrated on July 18, is an annual international day adopted by the United Nations.

Commenting on the issue, one of the inmates who represented others within Huye prison told Minister Busingye that there are many inmates with incomplete files. He said that those who have ever been detained at the former communes requested that there should be urgent investigations , so as to indicate the dates as to when they were detained, so that those who have served their time can be set free.

Busingye promised to address the issue squarely. “Everybody will be having a complete file; if there happens to be those kept here, others at CNLG, Gasabo or at the commune; we are going to collect all of them together.” Busingye promised.

{The Ministry of Youth and ICT has announced that about 3000 participants are attending the YouthConnect Africa 2017 Summit that has kicked off today 19th, ending 21st under the auspices of the Government of Rwanda in conjunction with UNDP and UNCTAD.}

In an interview with IGIHE, Emmanuel Habumuremyi the advisor to the Minister of Youth and ICT said that this is an important opportunity for small entrepreneurs to exchange ideas.

“Normally Youth Connect is organized in anticipation of hosting 2000, but now the number has increased, we have reached to 3000” Habumuremyi pointed out.

A number of key issues will be discussed with investors and guests like Jack Ma, the CEO Alibaba Group, CEO Pang Xinxing, Akon, Tony OnyemaechiElumeru, the proprietor of Heirs Holdings, United Bank for Africa and Transcop; Kamran Elahiam the CEO of Global Catalyst and others.

{After elaborating on the diverse politics that Rwanda is using to extend good governance to its people, UNDP Country Representatives, have said that the country has achieved commendably for other countries to emulate.}

Yesterday, the UNDP representatives held discussions with leaders in Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) and earmarked the importance of programs that are helpful in reaching locals including the VUP, Ubudehe, Girinka and others that have improved livelihoods.

Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, UNPD undersecretary for African affairs noted that Rwanda attributes its good governance to its respective structural formation.

He said that where Rwanda is now is quite commendable and should be emulated by other countries while the youths should write books about the achievements.

“I hope that youths will write books about President Kagame. Not only in Africa but also other countries should know that the Land of a Tousand Hills has an exceptional political approaches that can be learnt about.”

RGB Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Shyaka Anastase, said the UNDP leaders wanted to the structural formation of the politics that define good governance in the country.

“They wanted to know about our governance mostly how we coordinate our work. In the reports they have been receiving, they appreciated how we work with media, build capacities in NGOs and other activities we engage in to promote good governance and specifically our exceptional approaches.”

The UNDP leaders are in the country for a week and will visit different institutions including the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and attend meetings that occur in Rwanda, such as the ‘Youth Connect’.

{Presidential campaigns took Centre stage on Tuesday with the governing Political Party RPF-Inkontanyi continuing to mobilize support ahead of the August 4th elections.
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On Day 4 of the electoral campaigns, incumbent President Paul Kagame was in Muhanga and Ngororero where he rallied support for his re-election bid in August polls as Democratic Green Party candidate Dr. Frank Habinenza was in Kirehe and Ngoma.
Speaking during his rallies in Ngororero district in Western Province, Kagame who was accompanied by the First Lady Jeannette Kagame and other RPF-Inkontanyi party officials said that the most important resource Rwanda has is the people and therefore important to invest in their well being; their health, their education and transforming their lives.

“The progress we have made is proof of what we are capable of, but it is not enough; we want to deliver even more. Rwandans know their destiny, we shall achieve a lot, and we shall reach far.”

The President reminded the supporters who branded his name on the walls and banners to strive together to achieve and reach far through hard working.

The Head of State was escorted by the Minister of Sports and Culture Julienne Uwacu who is also in charge of his campaigns countrywide.

Uwacu said that in the last 23 years, Ngorororero district has transformed through infrastructure development, adding that seeing electricity in all its 13 sectors was a dream but today it’s a reality.

From Nogorororero, the President’s next afternoon stop was in Muhanga district where the streets yet again featured the RPF-Inkontanyi’s red, blue and white colors.

In Muhanga, it was an exciting moment, as thousands of young and old cheered, danced, sung and waved to praise the incumbent President for as far as the eye could see. He first toured Muhanga Regional Stadium.

Meanwhile, Dr. Habineza has been asked to stick to electoral guidelines and regulation to avoid any interruption to his campaign. He on Monday joined supporters in a morale gathering at Cyasemakamba in Ngoma district after a rally in Kirehe.

While in Nyakarambi – Kigina sector in Kirehe district at Gahara sector football pitch his first campaign site, Habineza promised that he will ensure that each household has plenty of food through agricultural innovations.

On July 19, Habineza is expected in Rulindo and Nyabihu districts of Northern and Western Province respectively.