CLOSING STATEMENT BY H.E TUMUSIIME RHODA PEACE
COMMISSIONER RURAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE
AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION
AT THE RETREAT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RURAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE, 4 JULY 2014 NAIROBI, KENYA
 
The Director of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture
The Directors and Coordinators of the Specialised Technical Offices
The members of staff of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture
We have come to the end of two intense working days of our departmental retreat. I want to thank you all for your active participation and valuable contribution on the issues we had on our agenda.
This was not an easy period to hold a retreat. It has been extremely demanding on our time. But, the Management of the Department still thought it was necessary to have this retreat at this particular time. I know quite a number wanted to take leave and I thank you for opting to come here first.
I would also like to say that there is a paradigm shift in the way we are conducting business. I would like to appreciate that we did not delve into minor issues but strategic ones. I would like to request you to continue building on the substantive work we have built up together. It has been impressive to see you focus on issues, inputs, outputs, visioning and direction.
We have agreed on key issues in the context of the DREA Strategic and Operational Plan and the outcomes of the just concluded AU Summit in Malabo, you have all shown interest in the issues we are dealing with and these are important issues which require our individual and collective action. Let’s keep up the momentum.
Several of you may be going on leave from here; others may not. Either way, I wish to call upon you to take off time to reflect on your respective areas for action. Also guide and support one another and if one of you is not there he or she should have shown you where he or she stopped so that you carry on from there. That is the way we shall be able to accomplish the tasks that we have set for ourselves within the agreed time frames.
As you recall, we have developed a roadmap; we need to report quickly to help agreed actions move forward. The movement forward should reflect the very rich and highly interactive session we have had.
I know that there are issues of funding. I will try to do what I can at my level of responsibility though I know that begging everyday is not good.
Let me thank the specialised technical offices. I always present your case when there are high-level meetings like summits so that you attend and engage. The tendency has been to consider representational offices and not so much the specialised technical offices. This time round I made deliberate efforts to secure the extension of invitations to you as well. It was difficult but I am glad we managed and you came to the Summit in Malabo. I am sorry for those who experienced some constraints and those who had to cut short their stay. But I know that those who managed to persist and stay found it worth it.
Dr. Hassan Mahamat, Coordinator of PATTEC has thanked each and everyone while moving a vote of thanks. It has been an excellent engagement. I would like, in particular, to thank AU-IBAR, our host; they have put in a lot. I wish in particular to commend the arrangement that was made for those who were not eating with us to be able to break their fast in the evenings.
Now, as we go away, I can only say bon voyage. Coming together, thinking together and planning together is always good. I remember, Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, former Head of Agriculture and Food Security, when he was assuming his current position as Executive Director of FARA, he told his staff something to the effect that: ‘‘we need to work together, think together, move together and deliver together’’. This message has value. I see a linkage; I have seen you all building a family relationship together, chatting; it gives me encouragement.
Please send our greetings to your families. Travel well.
Thank you very much.