Is This It?
Efforts to Uproot Endemic Problems from Ethiopia and More

Dr. Erango Kelbisow (ekelbisow@yahoo.com)

April 23, 2011

It is a fact that Ethiopia and her heritage, irrespective of their ethnic or cultural origin, religious persuasion, political point of view, or party affiliation, belong to all Ethiopians and their descendants everywhere. Thus, it is very important that all negative labels which thus far have characterized Ethiopia and Ethiopians to be once and for all replaced with positive ones. Although there are still more things to be desired for and done right in different sectors and various levels of government in the country to transform the existing state of our society for the better, I believe that the effort being put forth to amend the past and forge the new dawn for Ethiopian development requires collective determination and commitment, calls for participation of all those concerned and, indeed, in the interest of our people, deserves unreserved support.

It was in January 2003 an article titled, “Genuine Planning and Concerted Action: A Formula Needed to Banish Hunger and Poverty from Ethiopia” appeared on the now defunct Addis Tribune, the English Language weekly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (http:/www.addistribune.com/Archives/2003/01/17-01-03/Genuine.htm). In the article, among other things, I proposed that the National Parliament declare a national emergency to banish hunger and poverty from Ethiopia like it declared a national emergency when our new neighbor, Eritrea, invaded Ethiopia in 1998, to repel the invading force from Ethiopian soil. The article also called on the Ethiopian government to set an exemplary stage by spearheading the campaign against hunger and poverty in the country rather than relegate its responsibility to the nongovernmental organizations, international donors and humanitarian agencies.

Almost eight years after the article was published, whether the proposal had any influence on the current action or not, I am personally impressed by and happy about what is being done and seeing the fervor my compatriots possess at the national level to tackle the endemic problems of hunger, poverty, and more. It is indeed impressive that an all out campaign against poverty and backwardness is being spearheaded by the government. The actual war to force the reign of poverty and backwardness out of our soil is now declared and underway. The victory appears to be imminent. It is indeed exhilarating to hear about and see that our abundant resources are about to be harnessed properly and ready to be equitably utilized by its true owners, the Ethiopian people. To this end, many different types of resources are being used and long hours of meetings conducted by her children within Ethiopia and abroad to disseminate information among

all stakeholders and garner necessary support for the effort on the move. I hope it is now clearly understood by many that our collective tomorrow is determined and shaped mainly by what is being done today.

In the mean time, it is expected from this and future generation of leaders that human dignity and Ethiopian pride is restored to all those who have been systematically deprived these and other human virtues either by natural calamities, unfavorable political atmosphere, or both. Although perceptions might vary, the current Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) is said to be primarily designed to ensure emancipation of our people from bondage of hunger and poverty. Thus, the systemic and successful implementation of the Plan, a vital missing piece from the Ethiopian development puzzle, appears to call for available talents and resources from all those who are concerned about the welfare of the nation and who stand to claim the said Ethiopian heritage.

Regardless how responsive one might be to the call, it is my humble opinion that to be only wishful for the people and country one claims to dearly love and standing on sidelines during such a time of expected action would not in any way help deliver a morsel of bread to the hungry, drink of water to the thirsty, a medical treatment to the sick or injured, shelter to the homeless, or bring about quality services and fairness which we all desire for our people and society. In order to lift up the image of Ethiopia and alleviate excruciating burden of sufferings our people endure, the GTP, endorsed by the National Parliament, as for me, deserves necessary support. Even if one would have reservations about the GTP’s ambitions, after having examined the document, in the interest of our people and the conditions they have been in, I suggest the reader would make serious consideration to take risk by supporting the effort.

Last but not least, resolving challenges faced by our people as well as efforts being exerted to uproot endemic problems from Ethiopia and meeting other development objectives would certainly require the atmosphere filled with, among other things, tolerance of differences, respect one for another, establishing and presence of lasting trust among all stakeholders, maintaining durable peace and stability, converging diverse expertise and resources, collective commitment, and concerted action. If we truly mean what we say, collective synergies that would emanate from all Ethiopians who would meet at discussion tables at various levels and places would easily help facilitate successful implementation of those plans and would without doubt ensure success in our undertakings. Thus, in everything we attempt to do, I suggest that the presence of these traits need to be carefully evaluated, vigorously pursued, and properly utilized.