Green Party President Calls for Members to Spearhead Local Environmental Action

GICUMBI DISTRICT – The Green Party is galvanizing its membership to champion environmental protection at the community level, focusing on practical, locally-driven solutions. The call for increased engagement comes as party members in Gicumbi District were being trained on June 13, 2025. Representatives including for women and youth organizations were also elected, demonstrating the party’s commitment to democratic participation.

A key theme of the party’s message is the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, starting with accessible composting methods. Umutesi Marie Chantal, a dedicated party member, emphasized the simplicity and affordability of composting. “Obtaining compost does not require significant resources,” she stated, “Even chicken droppings help increase production, and if properly prepared at the farm, crops will grow better.”

Jerome Ndayayisenga, the Green Party representative in the Northern Province, urged party activists to actively improve their local environments. “Party activists must work to improve themselves and make a greater contribution to protecting the environment,” he said. He encouraged the construction of erosion control ditches and collaborative education efforts to discourage the burning of forests, emphasizing a balance between awareness and preventing erosion on mountain slopes.

Murenzi Jean de Dieu, the youth representative at the national level, reinforced the connection between environmental stewardship and overall national development. He reiterated the importance of sustainable agriculture and water conservation to combat soil erosion.

The party’s President, Hon. Dr. Frank Habineza, emphasized the importance of directly confronting pollution. “The time has come for party members to take the lead in contributing to educating people who throw bottles everywhere, those who throw plastic bags into the Nyabarongo River,” Dr. Habineza declared.

He championed the benefits of organic fertilizers for agriculture, while also acknowledging the practical value of combining them with industrial fertilizers to optimize crop yields. “Every Rwandan has the right to contribute to building the country, such as protecting the environment, which is part of our party’s principles. We took the lead in condemning those who throw plastic bags in Nyabarongo or those who sell plastic bags wherever they see them. Let us take the lead in educating them because protecting the environment is part of our party’s responsibilities.”

Dr. Habineza urged party members to proactively address environmental negligence and raise awareness about its negative impact, stressing that this action is central to the Green Party’s core mission.

As the Green Party installs its newly elected leaders, the renewed emphasis on environmental action demonstrates the party’s dedication to local solutions and a sustainable future for all Rwandans.