Kigali: Bishop Joshua H.K. Banda is the Senior Pastor of Northmead Assembly of God (NAOG) a thriving and vibrant mission-minded Church of 2000 members located in the Northmead Suburb of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city called on the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG).
He was received by Dr Jean-Damascène Gasanabo, Director General of CNLG’s research and documentation Centre on genocide.
They exchanged on missions of the CNLG with focus on strategies put in place to combat negationism and minimization of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
During their visit, Dr Gasanabo, discussed the successes and challenges of CNLG in genocide prevention, fight against genocide denial and genocide ideology, as well as in overcoming genocide’s consequences as is stipulated in the CNLG’s mission.
Dr Gasanabo explained the different measures taken by Rwanda in prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, fighting denial, and revisionism as well as the eradication of genocide ideology and all its manifestations.
Moreover, Dr Gasanabo spoke about the role of the Gacaca courts and their outcomes in fostering unity and reconciliation amongst Rwandans.
He also informed him that Rwanda documents of these Courts are being digitized for future use in educational and research purposes.
He explained that Rwanda has embarked on the project to list four genocide memorial sites namely the Kigali genocide memorial Centre in Gisozi, Nyamata genocide memorial site in Bugesera District, Murambi genocide memorial site Nyamagabe District and Bisesero genocide memorial site in Karongi District on the UNESCO world heritage, which he said was essential in prevention of future conflicts and atrocities.
He concluded by sharing the Rwanda’s remarkable success in overcoming its horrible past and its wonderful plans for the better future of Rwandans.
Dr. Banda is a founding Trustee and Chairperson of the Expanded Church Response (ECR), a registered Trust leading the Christian response against HIV/AIDS. He also oversees the Circle of Hope Clinic, a ministry of NAOG offering free anti-retroviral treatment to over 1900 AIDS patients monthly. He serves on several Boards of significant organisations including World Vision Zambia and is the current Chairman of the National AIDS Council of Zambia. He has also been a member of the Technical Advisory Group of Family Health International USA.
During his stay in Rwanda, Bishop Banda will visit different institutions including the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, the City of Kigali, the Special Economic Zone and reconciliation village in Kimonyi Sector, Musanze District. (End)