Kagame made the observation today morning as he launched the first Golden Business Forum themed, “Unlocking Africa Trade with Itself and the World”, bringing together around 1000 participants from Africa, Asia, Europe and America. They include captains of industry, investors, and policymakers.
In January 2018, the African Union (AU) General Assembly approved implications of the Protocol on the Free Movement of People, its implementation process and issuance of African Passport.
During the signing of Continental Free Trade Area in March 2018, only 27 countries ratified free movement related clauses.
As he opened the forum, Kagame highlighted that over the past 15 years, African countries have been among the strongest performers on the World Bank’s Doing Business report.
Most importantly, the President said, the pace of regional and continental integration has accelerated significantly whereby the African Continental Free Trade Agreement is now in force while trading will commence in July 2020.
Kagame reiterated that the Protocol on the Free Movement of People has been signed, and the ratification process is underway noting that Africans will no longer require visas to travel within Africa, among other valuable rights once the protocol goes into effect.
He said it is not clear how a country ratifies free movement goods and decline to ratify free movement of people.
“How are we going to allow free movements of goods but you don’t allow free movement of people? We have to understand that even with most restrictions on movement of people and visas, people have been moving. They move across borders whether you give them visas or not,” said Kagame.
“Some of these people are brothers and sisters, only that they live on opposite side of what is known as the border. It is up to us the leaders to really make it easy for all because in the end we benefit without exception,” he added.
Similarly, Kagame said, the adoption of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is set to eliminate internal barriers for African airlines.
“These agreements are set to remake African economies for the better, generating new opportunities for the firms who are ready to take full advantage. Of course, we expect that African companies will be in the lead, showing the way,” he stressed.
Kagame highlighted that the private sector is absolutely central to Africa’s adding that the CFTA will only produce expected results if the business community, make it work.
“The more we trade with each other, within Africa, the more we will be able export to the rest of the world, as well, but it increases the understanding of each other and creates a good relationship among our neighbors. Definitely, there is direct correlation,” he said.
The President emphasized that progress at the continental level complements what have been done in East African region where the region is working to build shared railway, infrastructure and power transmission.
The Single Customs Territory, and the associated digital applications, have enhanced trade facilitation.
Kagame said that these measures, among others, have already resulted in increased trade volumes within the region, and higher revenues.
Golden Business Forum brings together high profile investors and policy makers from across the World to discuss how to improve doing business in Africa, connecting African Investors to the world and existing Investment opportunity. It was hosted by Private Sector Federation in Rwanda.
The inspection followed concerns raised by residents in the neighborhood of the plant accusing it of emitting gases putting their lives at risks.
An impromptu inspection was carried in the night of Wednesday and sent the letter ordering the plant to halt activities on Thursday.
Eng. Collette Ruhamya, the Director-General of REMA has told IGIHE that the plant was closed following an impromptu inspection.
“It is true that we closed the plant over failure to adhere to instituted environmental policies. Such a plant has to meet specific requirements to reduce emitted polluting gases among other garbage polluting the air,” she said.
“We know that such a plant has to set standards to comply with environmental regulations. The next alternative is closing it if compliance is recurrently failing,” added Eng. Ruhamya.
She explained that residents raised concerns for some time ago, whereby REMA sent warning letters but efforts remained futile. “Even parliamentarians summoned us to provide explanations over the mentioned case following residents’ complaints. It was followed by an impromptu inspection,” said Eng. Ruhamya.
She appealed on Rwandans to report other plants that might be breaching environment protection policies.
SteelRwa manufactures nails, stout bars among others.
The project to be launched tomorrow is expected to address the challenge of overcrowding specifically common in primary and 12-year basic education schools and reduce long-distance students travel to reach schools.
The Minister of Education, Eugene Mutimura attributed the overcrowding to a large number of students yet they use old classrooms raising the need for construction of new classes and renovation of existing ones.
Minister Mutimura told the parliament on March 2019 that the Government has drawn strict measures to address overcrowding.
“The Government allocates an annual budget to build new classrooms. Some of the existing classrooms were constructed in 1920 and are very old; so we’ll refurbish and construct new ones,” he said.
Minister explained that school enrollment stands at 98% and so the need for more classrooms is apparent.
“For instance, 1400 classrooms were built last year. More 1600 classrooms and 1400 latrines will be built this year, 90 classrooms will be built for nursery schools. All depend on an available budget but the Government is aware of the case and dealing with it particularly,” he said.
A total of Rwf 2876 billion has been allocated to the education sector in 2019/20 budget of which Rwf 17 billion will be utilized for renovation and construction of new classrooms.
Construction of the hospital started in March 2018. President Kagame promised the hospital in 2015 following residents concerns that the existing hospital in the area was not decent hence requesting for a state of the art facility.
The vice mayor of Nyaruguru district for economic affairs, Janvier Gashema has said that the hospital under construction is a beautiful multi-floored facility.
“It is a state of the art building with three floors and 298 rooms expected to be completed in March 2020,” he explained.
Gashema revealed that a total of 200 workers including masons and potters are employed on a daily basis.
The Director of Munini Hospital, Dr. Bienvenu Muvunyi has underscored that the hospital is expected to boost service delivery and attending to a large number of patients.
“We have the capacity of admitting only 80 patients. With the completion of the new hospital, we will be able to admit 200 patients,” he said.
Munini hospital has employees will rise from 94 to about 190 on completion of the new facility.
The official unveiling of Gorilla Games is due on Saturday 10th August 2019 at Amahoro Stadium coinciding with the finals of amateurs games sponsored by Gorilla Games and the official opening of the English Premier League (EPL).
Bruce Melody who is the official brand ambassador of Gorilla Games will entertain participants of the grand launch with non-stop music and entertainment alongside other popular artists.
Gorilla Games is a product of Cheza Rwanda Games Ltd, a locally registered and authorized betting and gaming company.
The online betting company to be officially unveiled on Saturday follows a month-long build-up cross country launches of Gorilla Games in the districts of Rwamagana, Musanze, Rubavu and Huye where mammoth crowds of fun-loving Rwandans turned up for the festivities characterized by Bruce Melody concerts and lots of entertainment, games, and prizes including; amateur mini football, amateur basketball among others.
Running from 9 am to 5 pm, the entrance will be free.
At the grand launch of Gorilla Games sponsored amateurs games, Gorilla Games shall go live where sports and fun-loving Rwandans will start betting from anywhere, anytime by simply logging in www.gorillagames.africaor downloading Gorilla Games App using smart gadgets.
Users of ordinary phones can as well place a bet through a USSD code *878# or short messaging system.
Cheza Rwanda Games (CRG) Ltd is locally registered and licensed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM).
It aligns with Rwanda’s agenda of engendering a cashless economy.
By using Mobile Money or Airtel Money or Bank Account, anyone can easily transact with Gorilla Games by filling their online wallet.
In adhering to new regulations and betting and gaming standards, Gorilla Games requires all its subscribers(or clients) to first register online by simply logging in to key in your brief biodata, including; Names, National ID No or Passport, and telephone number. The system restricts users below 18 years old.
Being a largely online platform system, much time and investment have gone into securing the system with strong firewalls. According to management, the system is protected from any form of Cyber-crime, fraud, and piracy.
Cheza Games Rwanda is introducing responsible betting in Rwanda deeply rooted in its corporate social investment policy to ensure that users, especially the youth do not run bankrupt or spend beyond their means.
The three Rwandan awardees are Leonidas Mpumuje, Head Rhino Monitor of Akagera National Park, Anthony Nzuki, Ranger Post Leader of Akagera National Park and Jean Nepomuscene Musekura, a ranger in Volcanoes National Park.
The African Ranger Awards program recognizes park rangers for their extraordinary contribution to the protection of Africa’s wildlife and conservation areas.
The award was initiated by Jack Ma, the Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group through the Paradise Foundation, an environmental conservation organization that he founded two years ago.
An international panel of judges reviewed 115 nominees from 17 African countries. The award criteria included the nominee’s dedication, contribution, threats and challenges overcome, as well as leadership and inspiration.
Commenting on the winners, Jack Ma said he is deeply moved and inspired by the rangers’ sacrifices and expressed optimism that more people will pay attention to rangers, wildlife preservation, and preservation of the natural environment.
RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza has in a statement appreciated rangers and Paradise Foundation for recognizing their conservation efforts.
“Without the hard work and dedication that our rangers show, the positive progress that Rwanda has shown both in conversation and sustainable tourism would be impossible. They are at the forefront of conservation and that is why we appreciate the Paradise Foundation for recognizing African rangers and their important role,” she noted.
The 2019 African Ranger Awards will take place in Accra, Ghana on 15th November.
He made the call today in Gabiro military barracks as he presided over the closing of the 12th edition of civic education program dubbed Itorero Indangamirwa which comprised of 698 trainees including high school graduates and university students from across the country and the globe, as well as best performing public servants.
“This program is about raising the youth for our country. We want a country founded on our values and on education. We want to transform our country, to be liberated from poverty and ignorance,” stressed Kagame.
“Being part of Itorero also teaches you the role you have in moving the country forward. Being educated is not enough; you must have discipline and values. Itorero gives you the values to put your education to use,” added the President.
Kagame thanked parents for allowing the youth to be part of Itorero, enabling them to learn about their culture, country and where the country is going.
“Itorero is about raising our children and educating them in our culture. We want our country to be founded on our own values. We want to value our culture, promote it and learn from it,” he said.
The President highlighted that when someone is being taught, part of it is listening and following the teachings which should not be followed blindly.
He, therefore, urged the youth to use their own thinking to discern right from wrong and voice their own ideas. Kagame also reminded the youth to turn against wrong values or behaviors like drug abuse and draw attention to their future and the country as well.
Kagame made the advice today addressing 698 young Rwandans living in Rwanda and abroad who have completed the 12th edition of Itorero Indagamirwa, series of civic education programme.
The 12th Itorero Indangamirwa comprised of 698 trainees including high school graduates and university students from across the country and the globe, as well as best performing public servants.
“We all came driving in a car. Do you sometimes ask yourself, why can’t we make our own cars? Instead of buying them from elsewhere, why don’t we make them and be the ones to export them? But this requires you to gain knowledge,” he said.
“We can’t just be stopping at making bread. We have to aim higher. Cars, phones, electronics should not only be manufactured by others. We are all capable of doing it,” added Kagame.
The President urged the youth to seize opportunities to go abroad to get an education and avoid wasting it and stand against wrong values or behaviors like drug use that has become like a new style.
“You find students who are educated but who are using drugs. Drugs are like termites that destroy you from the inside. They turn everything you have learned and built to dust,” he stressed.
It is under this context that Kagame requested graduates that Itorero should enable them to think about their future and that of their country as well.
Nteziyaremye Kaberuka, 52, was arrested on Tuesday in Ruhango sector following a tip-off from residents on his criminal business, Police said.
Kanyanga is classified among psychotropic substances and banned in Rwanda.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region said that Kaberuka was also distilling Kanyanga.
“Residents of Ruhango Sector called the Police reporting Kaberuka that he distills Kanyanga, which he sells to other retailers. Police responded and arrested him red-handed. He had already distilled 28 liters of Kanyanga which were also seized alongside equipment and materials he was using,” he said.
The regional police spokesperson thanked residents for sharing credible information that led to the arrest of Kaberuka.
“This partnership and ownership of the public to report drug dealers is the reason many people engaged in these unlawful acts have been arrested,” he said, calling for continued information sharing on anyone they suspect to be trafficking, making or selling narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
History shows that during that war, Anne was writing every event she lived while in hiding with her family for almost 2 ½ years.
The heritage she left enabled those living the years that followed until now to know the trouble she experienced during World War II (1939-1945), which didn’t even spare the youth.
This genocide of Eastern Europe is referred to as the Holocaust where 11 million people were executed by Adolph Hitler’s Nazi regime; 6 million of those murdered were Jews.
The other 5 million were those Hitler considered undesirable including black, disabled, homosexual, gypsy and other people he didn’t consider perfect. Like every genocide, Hitler was attempting to blame the world’s problems on the “other”—Hitler used the Jews as his scapegoat, much like the Hutu extremists used the Tutsi in 1994.
Anne Frank’s diary has been translated into hundreds of languages and serves as a source of inspiration to thousands around the world—she chose to see the ‘light’ in the midst of the horrible ‘darkness.’ Professor Kahn has met many ‘Anne Franks’ in Rwanda.
The story of this child inspired Prof Drew Kahn, Distinguished Service Professor at The State University of New York, Buffalo State, to initiate a project called ‘The Anne Frank Project’ helping students, teachers, and administrators to use stories as vehicles to teach lessons in conflict resolution, community building and identity exploration.
In the end, his passion is to help young people to tell their own stories. Kahn states: “These individual stories become family stories, then community stories, then regional stories, then national stories, national narratives.
This is crucial–we know from other post-genocide countries, that if we don’t tell our own stories someone else will and they will undoubtedly get it wrong. President Kagame seems to know this quite clearly. So, Story-Based Learning will certainly help in student learning in the schools, but its really a lesson in defining national identity on Rwandan terms.”
Prof Kahn teaches story-based learning all over the world including the USA, Kenya, Switzerland, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Vietnam and Rwanda where it was introduced in 2009; operating in Urukundo Learning Center of Muhanga District, South Province.
Every year for the past 10 years, Professor Kahn comes to Rwanda together with his students who assist him in training teachers in this progressive, experiential methodology: “Story-Based Learning brings the content of the classroom lesson from the student’s heads to their hearts using their bodies,” Says Kahn “so this is a very kinesthetic, collaborative experience for both the teacher and the students.
The teacher is facilitating student learning instead of shouting at them from the chalkboard, insisting on memorization. This is authentic learning which follows current education research—it is a direct match to Rwanda’s Competency-Based Curriculum where what the students DO with what they know is so important. Stories are obviously so important to Africa in general and Rwanda in particular—story-based learning is an ideal and natural fit for Rwanda—the academic success data we are receiving prove this theory, and the teachers and students love it!”
This program gives important knowledge and improved vocabulary aimed at changing students’ lives and impacting positively their families and places of their origin.
Students learn how to build from their own stories and background in their changing lives and are therefore more prepared to navigate the complexities for real life, not just classroom life.
In his interview with IGIHE, Prof Kahn reveals that the curricula from overseas countries Can be imported to new, developing countries without question—this can be dangerous for several reasons Kahn suggests: “Some of these learning models are good for example in the UK and USA where we have had some academic success, but when you import everything you meet problems. The ‘chalk-talk’ model is ineffective—it doesn’t work beyond memorization.
We need to engage the student’s heart, the student’s thoughts, and the student’s history in the learning, regardless of a subject area. Students need to feel like they matter—that’s what story-based learning is all about. Students need to include their stories not just the stories of others. Your great teacher Kagame knows this—I think he does a great job reminding each Rwandan that they matter.”
Professor Kahn says that though he realizes some challenges in Rwanda’s curricula, like harmonizing English and French language use, there is a will to bring change after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, trying innovation and that he can see that teachers are motivated willing to participate.
Cracking a joke, he expresses that he would be happy to see President Donald Trump importing performance contracts and monthly community/environmental work to America. He refers to these things to show President Kagame’s talents in transforming Rwanda, shifting from a country full of tears to a country respected by everyone on earth today.
Asked about achievements of the “Anne Frank Project” in Rwanda, he said: “In the past ten years, if I had told you we would be training 85 Rwandan teachers every year today, I would be lying to you—I’m immensely proud of our Rwandan teachers, schools, and students–the way Rwanda has embraced the work of story-based learning is a model for the other countries I work in.
Story-Based Learning is needed in the USA as well as in Africa. Things will continue to go well as long as our partnership remains dignified, equal and respectful—my students and I learn as much from Rwanda as we teach—it is a truly reciprocal relationship—that’s important to Buffalo State University and the Anne Frank Project.”
Professor Kahn, a person of Jewish origin said that the history he lived is one of many things that encouraged him to choose this profession. Referring to his history, he affirms that implementing his project in Rwanda changed a lot in his life, because he found that, due to the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandans share a lot with him as someone who knows the Holocaust carried out against the Jews whereby he feels doing everything for his fellows, with whom he shares a lot in life; he considers Rwanda as his second home. “I feel a deep personal, spiritual and practical connection to Rwanda—I’m thankful for that”; Professor Kahn shared.
The “Anne Frank Project” facilitates and coordinates the official international sister-city relationship between Muhanga District and Buffalo City in New York whereby a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on November 27, 2011, when Muhanga Leaders and other envoys visited The City of Buffalo.
It is wide cooperation that involves education, economic development, and cultural exchange. “The mayors from both Buffalo and Muhanga communicate regularly. We are presently working on making academic studies from Buffalo State more accessible to Rwandans”; Professor Kahn says.
There are many collaborative events that have taken place since this relationship started such as solar panels donated by Buffalo citizens to Muhanga Kivomo Village residents; and cows distributed to vulnerable groups in Muhanga, Nyarusange and Shyogwe Sectors. Over 200 teachers have been trained in the story-based learning methodology with a commitment to expanding that number each year.
Muhanga District Mayor, Béatrice Uwamariya, told IGIHE that the cooperation with the City of Buffalo is mostly related to education. “There are training sessions offered to our teachers from different schools, they bring trainers to train them using new methodologies practiced in their country”, she appealed.
“This partnership has helped to train teachers to embed drama in their teaching. Our competency-based curriculum highlights this due approach to let learners gain these unique skills rather than dwelling only on the cognitive domain of learning. We have the testimony of the impact of the training of the Anne Frank Project in Muhanga: Due to this training, most of our schools have performed well on the national exams.
Student’s excellent performance from the best in top ten performing schools (Ahazaza Independent School, St. Andre, Urukundo, St. Augustine, etc.) is the real fruit of our relationship with the Anne Frank Project, Buffalo State University and the City of Buffalo.”
Mayor Uwamariya continues that: “Anne Frank Project targets several activities among which enabling students to pursue their further studies at Buffalo State and starting a Teacher Training Center within Urukundo Learning Center, and expand their activities around the country as well to profit to many Rwandans.”
When Professor Kahn was in Rwanda together with his students, they were happy visiting different parts of the country including Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks. “Our annual trips to Rwanda are much more than teacher training—we immerse the students in as many cultural, historical aspects of Rwandan life as possible: Genocide memorials, visits to urban and village homes, local businesses, Akagera, and Nyungwe National Parks and participation in Umuganda”, shares Professor Kahn. “This is not a surface, tourist experience, it is a reflection of our respectful, dignified collaborations and friendship. A friendship we hope to continue for a long time.”
