Why Darkening?

Yusra A.

Jan 25 2011

As a citizen I am always happy whenever I read or hear something positive about Ethiopia. Whenever our athletes stood first in internationally acclaimed competitions and hoist our flag to the whole world, I always am overwhelmed with indescribable excitement trying to control tears from my eyes. I always feel proud whenever international media report about the ETHIOPIAN airline’s success. When I read or hear our political leaders recognized and designated in the international forums regarding any concerns of our world, I would be much more proud. In contrary, I would be very depressed and ashamed whenever awful things talked about my country. I presume many of my fellow Ethiopians also share this feeling of mine. In my belief this is the most accepted universal notion, for a country is something which any human being is identified by.

However I have been observing something bizarre in this regard from few of my fellow Ethiopians particularly among the opposition politicians. This is the main reason that initiated me to this piece of writing.

In spite of the fact that there are a number of problems which we have received from the country’s previous rulers, now Ethiopians are marching to a new era of development. Owing to the magnificent achievements made in the last two decades, the country has now been registering encouraging economic development. Though, some opposition political groups and their few friends, from the so called international human rights activists, try to undermine this success, independent and relevant international organizations which examine the world’s economic outlook, have been constantly confirming that Ethiopia is in the right track of economic progress. Many other economic experts have also highly praised the way how the economic strategy has been handled by the government.

In the last two weeks some international media outlets and organizations have released reports on the economic development progress registered in the world. Here again Ethiopia is being mentioned as one of the world's ten fastest growing economies. According to Economy Watch, Ethiopia has been registering excellent accomplishment in its economic development. Though the growth rate vary from Ethiopia’s prediction, the organization said that the country’s economy was on the rise with an annual GDP growth rate of 7.663 per cent, which put the country the world's ninth fastest growing economy. As it is reported by Economy Watch Ethiopia’s economy currently has reached to $31.7-billion. Global Economic Prospects 2011 report, which is released by the World Bank on January 13, 2011, also indicated that Ethiopia was the second fast growing country in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in 2010. According to the report, Republic of Congo, which recently began producing oil, was the first fast growing in 2010 with real GDP growth of 10.3 percent followed by Ethiopia (9 percent), Mozambique and Nigeria.

According to the report unlike other fast growing Sub-Saharan African economies, where growth has been supported by the minerals sector, Ethiopia’s robust growth performance over the past couple of years, including a 9 percent increase in GDP during 2010, has been driven by the agricultural sector. The sector has benefited from continuing government investment in roads, power projects and marketing networks, which has helped bring more small-holder farmers into the market.

As mentioned by the report, government’s policy measures have been playing a significant role for the advancement of the economy. The generous incentives provided by the government, have supported large scale commercial agriculture ventures, including in agro-processing. “The peaceful elections conducted in May supported the return of investors. In 2010, exports rebounded on modest increases in international commodity prices and the depreciation of the birr.”

The Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October, also described Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, Angola and Kenya as the "big five" economies in sub-Saharan Africa, comprising almost two third of the region's total output. Of all countries in the region, as reported by IMF, Ethiopia is one of the three countries that have been enjoying steady recovery, from various economic challenges, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 10 percent in 2010/11.

A new report released by the United Nations last week in Addis Ababa has also supported the aforementioned economic scenario regarding Ethiopia’s economic performances in the last few years.

Despite the repeated lament by some groups, the very positive economic performance that Ethiopia is being achieved has been confirmed by independent international institutions. These organizations have appreciated the government’s wise policy measures for they have played a significant contribution for the achievements.

In spite of some challenges resulted from the economic advancement, which are indeed being witnessed in countries with strong economies too, the current Ethiopia’s economic situation is not something dreamlike as it is described by the few of our cynic politicians. Currently countries like China, India and many other emerging economies of our world are also affected by inflation resulted from their swift economic growth and they are taking various measures to curb the problem some of which are similar to the government of Ethiopia. In a country where there was no economy to speak about some 20 years ago, in my understanding, we should expect challenges when the country took several measures in its effort to transform and bring about a fruitful changes in the overall configuration of its economy. Now we have an economy that even attracted the international community for its speedy progress and better achievement.

I believe in the fact that there should be much more intensified efforts to strengthen the economy in order to create strong impact in the livelihood of the people. However, we have to acknowledge the magnificent achievements so far made in this regard. To do this we don’t need much better evidence than looking in to the many constructions being carried out in the areas of roads, dams, schools, health centers and other social and economic infrastructures in various parts of Ethiopia for these sectors are key denominators used by economic experts to measuring any development. The level of growth in terms of agricultural productivity in the last few years could also be another demonstration for the economic development.

I believe, all Ethiopians would be happy with all these historic progress as they are important for the betterment of their livelihood. According to economists, any economic development requires 20 or more years of constant growth in order to bring about significant impact on the over all activities of a nation. In my belief, Ethiopia is on the right track to attaining this goal as it is registering a double digit economic growth in the last seven years. Also the main purpose of the new five year transformation plan designed by the incumbent is to intensify the existing progress to the highest position on which the economy becomes strong enough to bring about sustainable changes in the entire public and making the nation among the middle income countries of the world. The new five year plan, called Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), has the aim of fostering broad based development in a sustainable manner to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Over the next five years, the GTP envisions a major leap in terms of not only economic structure and income levels but also the level of social indicators.

I am very much comfortable in the economic development and the future plan of the country for it provides a real improvement in the lives of all Ethiopians. Ethiopians now are showing enormous enthusiasm to arrive at much more substantial and sustainable economic and social progress fostered as a result of the encouraging successes registered in the last years. But some groups are fully immersed in darkening this valuable passion and real hope by disregarding the economic progress. Despite stunning the progress has been, these people are engaged in deceptive propaganda only to attain their political desire. Though the general public seems well aware about the reality on the ground, this kind attempt is not helpful to Ethiopia and its citizen for it is irresponsible and immoral especially never expected from groups that allegedly strive for the betterment of Ethiopians. If our irrational everyday lament, though in vain, is really out of concern to the benefit of the people of Ethiopia, we should not be engaged in deteriorating the citizen’s aspiration.