By Eyasu Weldesilassie
Ethiopia today is among the fastest growing non-oil economy in the world; and likely to keep on the course. Ensuring sustainable socio – economic development, peace and democracy have been among the top priorities of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.Accordingly, Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) led government for the last 23 years has been implementing, pro-poor and pro- development economic policies and strategies. In terms of its foreign policy, it has adopted a policy where the basic tenants are mutual benefit, cooperation and collaboration. This innovative and courageous foreign policy has helped Ethiopia to maintain its economic connection with neighboring countries in addition to keeping its security and peace.
At the moment, Ethiopia is a key participant in peace-keeping and in hosting refugees. Coupled with the economic growth, and the strength in peace and security, Ethiopia’s image is surely transforming and is becoming a country that is respected by nations.
The inward looking strategy of the EPRDF government is paying off. The government strongly believes in the potential of its people, resources and collective determination. The example for this is the Renaissance Dam. The national effort is all geared to poverty eradication and to bring about self-reliance at all levels and to create a strong country that defends and respects the sovereignty and dignity of its people from internal and external detractors. Its image is now no more of poverty and war. Now, whenever its name is raised the first thing that crosses the mind is its sustained growth, assertiveness, collaborative and lively country.
Unlike the years before, the country has attracted very high level visits by world leaders from different parts of the globe. Some years back it was a country where only those with emergency and humanitarian aid was coming. They were coming to see hungry and dying people or to record grim war reports. In contrast today, people are coming for tourism, investment and conferences. It has become a place where countries come to learn the experience on how in a short time it has built a disciplined, democratic and developmental government that practically has lifted the country from the debilitating poverty.
The EPRDF government has also given special attention to the development of human capital by developing 32 fully functioning and dynamic universities and many technical institutions. Through education, Ethiopia is producing the next generation who will own and take the transformation to the next level. The focus of the current education system is not on job seeking but entrepreneurial and job creation.
The improvement in the health system is also one of model. It has become an example in the continent how to develop an effective strategy and development of a health system despite it didn’t have any significant base from previous regime.
The agricultural production has recorded tremendous improvement. The defense forces are serving peace here at home and in the United Nations Missions in various parts in Africa.
Now, every Ethiopian has to ask himself/herself on how to be part of the growth that is transforming and growing the country!! All the efforts of Ethiopians in any parts of the world have to be poverty alleviation as a priority. Poor people and poor country can never be respected. No one has ever respected a poor nation. So what is better for us is not to waste our time and energy on divisive efforts and noise, but to be part of the transformation so that we become richer, stronger, and more advanced country. As a consequence, we will be empowered people and nation.
The good thing is, Ethiopia is on this road of transformation. We should not remain behind. Those who have doubts have to come and see what is going on in our country – all the developments, business, and all services. Surely, the country is on the road of transformation – well into it. We all should think very wisely and make our effort into development of our country not on the opposite. If we unite, it is possible to build a great and richer, democratic and modern country. There are all institutional and other mechanisms for collaboration which we should actively use. Through completion of our Grand Renaissance Dam we will symbolize what we can do together if we put our efforts together.
For Ethiopia to continue on the fast transformation road, EPRDF should stay focused, disciplined and as a self-correcting dynamic party and government. We Ethiopians, in the country and out of the country, have to stay united for development, democracy and peace. Cheap and divisive efforts do not bring important change to our country needs in development. We should unite and continue the transformation – making Ethiopia a champion of peace and development. EPRDF has to continue to be a strong party and government that serves its people, and leads the fast economic growth and representing the country in strategic and collaborative ways in global governance. (aigaforum)