{{Rwanda has launched a document tracking system aimed at improving overall efficiency, accountability and transparency in government through the use of electronic documents and records lifecycle management.}}
The Document Tracking and Workflow Management System (DTWMS) named E-Mboni, will promote government organisational efficiency.
The Minister of Youth and ICT Jean Philbert Nsengimana said; “The system will improve inter and intra governmental efficiencies ultimately geared to serving Rwandans in an efficient and effective manner.
The system is flexible and mobile; one can work wherever he or she is in order to serve clients without delay.”
According to Patrick Nyirishema (ICT Department at RDB), “The System is a solution oriented – it is meant to drastically reduce the use of paper based processing and also automate, accelerate and simplify administrative processes.”
The project was co-funded by the Government of Rwanda and the World Bank.
It has been launched at the local government level in Kigali City council, an institution that has championed implementation of the system.
Kigali City Mayor, Fidele Ndayisaba, noted: “E-Mboni has come at a time when we actually need it. We are already using it in services like offering Construction Permits, Modern and Smart City (MIS) are now being offered more efficiently due to this system.
We are using less time and less paper which saves on cost and is environmentally friendly.
Files are more secure and are directed to the right person and in good time. There will be better service delivery with this system.”
({Rwandan Commandos undergoing tough training at a base})
{{On first blush, you probably think that struggle is a bad thing. After all, it has the connotation of weakness, indecisiveness, and incompetence, thanks in large part to societal taboos.}}
Yet despite what society would have you believe, years of research into the topic indicates that struggle is actually essential for career advancement.
Rather than avoiding struggle — or worse, denying it exists — those looking to take their career to the next level must learn how to embrace struggle as an opportunity for learning and growth.
Making this shift requires determination; it means bucking beliefs that have surreptitiously seeped into our collective sub-conscious — that struggle is a sign of weakness and therefore a source of embarrassment and shame.
This attitude toward struggle is not only counterproductive — leading to self-defeating behaviors including retreating inward with self-doubt and avoiding necessary risk for fear of failure — it is also wrong.
The fact of the matter is that struggle is a natural and inevitable part of career growth. But it doesn’t have to be painful.
By breaking away from cultural stereotypes to embrace struggle as an art to be mastered, you open a new set of possibilities for career growth.
{{Seek challenging assignments and difficult goals}}
If you are constantly doing the same things over and over again, chances are you are not growing. Instead, seek out situations where there is rapid change.
This will keep you on your toes. Look for projects that can expand your skills and capabilities, ideally those that give you the charter to work autonomously, so you have the freedom to experiment.
Numerous psychological studies find that performance is at its best when goals are difficult but still attainable with effort and imagination.
If you find yourself breezing through your day, easily meeting your goals, it could be a sign that your goals are too easy.
See what happens when you set a higher bar for yourself.
{{Treat negative feedback as a gift}}
It’s natural to cringe when you receive negative feedback. It may feel like a personal attack and can evoke a whole host of powerful emotions.
But receiving valid feedback is the most valuable of gifts, allowing you to step outside your delusional cocoon and become connected with external metrics of success.
When you stop doing the things that aren’t working, you clear a space for more things that get you the results you want.
My friend and former Microsoft CFO Frank Gaudette used to say: “I reserve the right to wake up smarter every day.” In this mindset, you interpret all feedback as a learning opportunity.
If you don’t have the skills you need, rather than feeling angry or upset about it, find a way to get them.
{{Learn how to remain grounded and centered}}
The more anchored and centered you are, the less likely you will be thrown off balance by the inevitable challenges that come your way.
Train yourself to become more stress-resistant by engaging in a set of daily and weekly practices that keep you on a steady course.
There are many options, including: exercise, meditation, journaling, prayer, or even just becoming immersed in nature by walking in the woods, sitting by the water, or planting in the garden. Choose the mix that’s right for you.
Personal centering practices are only part of the answer. In addition, build a support community—family, friends, peers, mentors, and coaches—to give you the advice and assistance you need during stressful times.
By challenging yourself, readily embracing feedback, and remaining grounded and centered, you can embrace struggle head on and use it as fuel for your career growth.
These practices are like the foundation of a building; they keep the building steady, even through storms and the passage of time.
The sturdier the foundation, the taller the building it will support.
CNN
{Author is the managing director of Snyder Leadership Group, a consulting firm dedicated to cultivating inspired leadership. He is the author of “Leadership and the Art of Struggle”}
{{The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) signed today a US $8-million Line of Credit (LoC) to support BRD lending to the agriculture, agro-processing, telecommunication, education and tourism infrastructure sectors in Rwanda.}}
The signing ceremony, held in the AfDB national office in Rwanda, was chaired by Negatu Makonnen AfDB Resident Representative in Rwanda, and Jack N. Kayonga, BRD Chief Executive Officer.
BRD is Rwanda’s leading development bank specializing in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and as part of its 2010–2014 strategy, its key growth areas include priority SME sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, micro-finance, information and communication technology, hospitality, education, health care, energy and water. This partnership is expected to increase SME reach, job creation, government revenues and resource mobilization to finance SMEs.
In complement to the LoC, a technical assistance package of up to US $730,800 provided to BRD by the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA) and funded by the Government of Japan, the AfDB, the Austrian Development Bank and the Government of Austria will reinforce BRD’s internal operational structures and systems.
The grant aims to improve BRD’s staff skills, information technology systems, appraisal systems, treasury and financial management, operations, credit risk management and internal controls.
Jack N. Kayonga, BRD Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the excellent quality of cooperation between AfDB and BRD and affirmed that “the agreement which has just been signed illustrates the vitality of this cooperation which will enable BRD to be engaged in a program of reinforcement of its private sector and SMEs operations in Rwanda.”
Emmanuel Murangayisa, BRD Director of Finance, added that “this grant will contribute optimizing BRD management capacities, by which the Bank will able to be placed at a constant and favourable level of performance.”
In his speech at the signing ceremony, Makonnen, AfDB Resident Representative in Kigali, thanked the Japanese and the Austrian Governments and people for their contribution to boost the private sector development in Rwanda.
Makonnen said: “The AfDB line of credit and the FAPA technical assistance are aligned with AfDB’s private sector operational priorities for long-term financing to support private sector development especially where long-term financing is scarce.
This program will enable BRD to respond effectively to the challenges of developing and promoting the private sector and SME development Rwanda”
Through FAPA funds, AfDB has initiated a broad program for institutional capacity building to support the African Development Finance Institutions such as the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the East and South African Development Bank (PTA Bank), the East African Development Bank (EADB), the Bank Congolaise de l’Habitat (BCH) and finally Shelter Afrique (specialized in housing finance in Africa).
{{The Rwanda Stock Exchange share index (RSI) went down 0.06 points to close at 202.20 and mainly caused by the falling BK share price which closed at Rwf 183. }}
The total turnover for the day was Rwf 2,661,100 from 10,000 BK shares and 1,100 Bralirwa shares traded in 5 deals compared to the previous trading session which recorded a total turnover of Rwf 66,776,100 from 29,900 BK shares and 80,800 Bralirwa shares traded in 15 deals.
BK shares traded between Rwf 180 and Rwf 183 and closed at Rwf 183, translating into a decline of Rwf 1 compared to the last Friday’s closing price whereas Bralirwa counter traded and closed at Rwf 761, registering an increase of Rwf 1 compared to last Friday’s closing price.
KCB shares last transacted at Rwf 169 while NMG shares last transacted at Rwf 1,200.
At the end of formal trading hours, there were outstanding bids of 134,900 BK shares between Rwf 185-200 and no outstanding offers.
On Bralirwa counter, there were outstanding bids of 131,700 shares between Rwf 750 – 770 and outstanding offers of 200,000 shares at Rwf 824.
{{Coffee Prices have been sliced to Frw 143/Kg from Frw 170/Kg of coffee cherries.}}
The announcement was made by National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) saying it was a responce to the declining coffee prices on the global market.
Celestin Gatarayiha in charge of Coffee division at the National Agricultural Export Board told local daily, “We cannot control international prices for coffee, but we hope it will not drop further.”
He added, “with the new farm gate price, farmers will have a Rwf63 profit per kilogramme of coffee cherries sold, assuming they incur Rwf80 to produce each kilogramme of coffee.”
NAEB also said the price was agreed on during a recent meeting with over 150 stakeholders, including farmers, banks and exporters.
{{Learning how to fry an egg is very important. One of the nicest things you can do to a simple, hearty dish is top it with a fried egg – check this out if you don’t believe me.}}
Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 egg
– 1 tablespoon of butter per egg (if frying 2 eggs at the same time, use 2 tablespoons of butter)
– A nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, lid optional if you want your egg more well-done
Melt the butter as shown above,
Melt the butter over medium heat in the skillet or pan.
Tilt pan to coat as seen above
Tilt pan to coat the bottom evenly with butter. It should be hot and foamy but not browning at all.
Crack the egg into the pan as seen in photo
Crack the egg into the pan, keeping the yolk as close to the center as possible. This will help the white cook evenly.
Fry the egg (see photo above)
Fry the egg for about two minutes or until the white is almost set. At this stage, you can cover it with a lid until the top is cooked to your liking.
This will result in a well-done sunny side-up egg.
Flip for over-easy
For an over-easy or over-medium egg, gently loosen any stuck edges of the egg from the pan using a thin spatula (a thick one might mangle the still-cooking white) until you can move the egg around by shaking the pan.
Cook the other side for over-easy
Flip the egg with the spatula and cook the other side for another 30 seconds for over-easy or another minute to minute and a half for over-medium. The longer you cook after this step, the less ooziness you’ll get from the yolk.
{{Progress in Agriculture will depend on the effort that farmers put in sustainable agriculture and how they are supported to identify productive crops that are friendly to the nature of soil.}}
In many parts of the country, terraces were identified as farming techniques which not only contribute to higher production but also to curb soil erosion and maintaining soil fertility.
Residents of Macuba sector in Nyamasheke District are supposed to take good care of the terraces made by Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP) by owning them and making them productive.
This was said by the vice mayor for finance and economic development of the District Charles Bahizi during the official opening of cultivation season 2013B in Nyamasheke district.
The terraces made by local people on the support of RSSP are meant to increase the production of farmers using them especially in the Land Use Consolidation program and planting selected crops.
The terraces cover about 115 hectares and are worth Frw145 million.
Vincent Nsabuwera the director of agriculture in RSSP urged residents who will be farming on these terraces to make them productive by farming well for their own benefit.
{{The New Finance Minister, Amb. Claver Gatete has noted that he had no plans for a major shift in macroeconomic policy.}}
Amb. Gatete made a presentation on the Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Statemen at Kigali Serena Hotel on February 15.
Gatete said that the year 2012 has been marked by economic turbulences which any central bank world-wide had to deal with.
The present Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Statement reviews how BNR has managed the different risks paused by the global, regional and domestic economic environment while sustaining the high economic growth and low inflation that Rwanda has registered in 2012.
Gatete was credited by many economic experts with overseeing a period of relative monetary stability during his almost two years at the helm of the central bank at a time inflation soared and currencies slumped in east Africa’s biggest economies like Kenya.
Mark Bohlund, senior economist for sub-Saharan Africa at IHS Global Insight told Reuters that the reshuffle is unlikely to have more than a marginal effect on economic policy.
“The most immediate priorities for Gatete will be how to reduce the impact from budget support suspensions and guiding Rwanda to a sovereign bond issue.”
Donors last year suspended or delayed aid worth tens of millions of dollars over allegations Kigali was backing a rebellion in neighboring eastern Democratic of Congo.
But recently some donors countries such as UK and Germany have resumed aid to Rwanda. On the 1st of March The Independent published an article that was titled “Britain is to give £16m Rwanda aid direct to humanitarian agencies”.
The UK international Development Secretary, Ms Greening said that the reprogrammed development will be channeled through projects that directly reach and protect the poorest people in Rwanda.
From Ms Greening comments, one can understand that this funds will not be directly channeled to the government of Rwanda but through development agencies in Rwanda.
Earlier this February, Gatete made a preliminary forecast the country’s economic growth would slow to 7.1% in 2013, lower than previously predicted and below a targeted 8%.
The aid freeze has complicated Rwanda’s plans for a sovereign bond aimed at raising $350-million.
An issuance was planned for late last year, but this was put off due to the negative publicity over the aid suspension.
Rwanda’s economy grew 7.7% in 2012, outperforming Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Macroeconomic policy would be “a continuation of what has been achieved”, Gatete was quoted as saying by Reuters.
{{Police on March 2 arrested two people for allegedly aiding their colleague to abort her six months foetus.}}
The duo, Antoinette Bukuru and Umutoni Mwajab, allegedly aided Hasha Gahire, 33, to carryout an abortion.
Gahire is currently admitted at Muhima hospital due to overbleeding after an abortion.
She will be charged with abortion, police said.
Her two accomplices are currently detained at Muhima Police Station in Nyarugenge District.
They were arrested by Police after a tip-off an eyewitness.
Superintendent Albert N. Gakara, the Central Police Spokesperson condemned the act and advised girls to have protected sex, if they cannot abstain, noting that abortion is a crime punishable by law.”
He said the police-public good cooperation against crimes has aided much in apprehending criminals.
Any person who carries out self-induced abortion is liable to a term of imprisonment of one to three years and a fine of Rwf50, 000 to Rwf200, 000 upon conviction, under article 162 of the new penal code.
Subject to provisions of the law, article 163 states that in case of mutual consent, a person who causes a woman to abort shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of two years to five years.
{{Members of Rwanda Students’ Forum of Associations have joined local residents in different Districts to actively participate in the development of their respective Districts.}}
Within one week, students from different higher learning institutions will be participating in different activities including sensitizing local residents about fighting against HIV/AIDS, as well as fighting drug abuse among youth community.
Komezusenge Daniel the forum Leader told IGIHE that their target is to address socio-economic development issues in Districts by involving local communities.
He added that the move will facilitate youth in their villages to learn how they can improve their wellbeing through hard working.
It is expected that about 2,000 youth in each District will be trained on how to address socio economic Development challenges as well as getting training on fighting against drug abuse.
