‘Ethiopia has right policies and strategies’

What has Ethiopia achieved so far in its 23 years of democratic rule?Ethiopia has moved on well in the last 23 years since its democratic rule. Our pillars are peace, democracy and development.  There have been mega development projects in the country which would benefit the people. These projects are in the different sectors such […]

What has Ethiopia achieved so far in its 23 years of democratic rule?
Ethiopia has moved on well in the last 23 years since its democratic rule. Our pillars are peace, democracy and development.  There have been mega development projects in the country which would benefit the people. These projects are in the different sectors such as road construction, education, health, power, agriculture, housing Small and Medium Enterprises and human capacity building.  If the human capacity is not developed, there would be nobody to drive the facilities and infrastructure that are being developed.
We give attention during budget allocation. For example in 2014/2015 budget year we allocated 64.8 per cent of the budget for mega projects in the country. Our fiscal budget year begins in July. To mention some achievements, before we have just about 400 megawatts of electricity in the country but now we have well over 2200 megawatts and have some projects underway.  We have the Gilgel Gibe III project that will generate about 1800 megawatts of electricity and the Greater Ethiopia Renaissance Dam project that will generate 6000 megawatts. Ethiopia has huge capacity to develop wind farm, geothermal and solar electricity. Our hydro potential is very high.
We believe that Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) has the potential to open a new era of cooperation among the Nile Basin countries. This dam benefit the down-stream countries by reducing silt and sedimentation, control flood and regulating water flow throughout the year.
In the area of health, we have been doing well and trying to boast our capacity. We are doing more on the issue of preventive health care rather than curative in the country. Right now, we have 35,000 health extension workers in the country and we have at least two of these health workers in the smallest ward in the country called Kebele. This is how we are developing the health sector and achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to cut mortality rate of children under the age 5, three years ahead of 2015 deadline.
Under agriculture, the country has been able to do well especially by providing hybrid seeds, fertilizer and trainings for the farmers. We have been able to change the perception of the farmers too by making them not to solely depend on rain-fell agriculture but also to do some irrigation. By this, the farmers cultivate at least twice a year and make profit. Concerning road network, from 20, 000 kilometres, we reached 80,000 kilometres across the country within the last 20 years.  What we have done is impressive.
What has Ethiopia done right to be able to develop these infrastructure in such a short time?
Well, two decades is not a short time. But talking in relative terms, it is not too long. We have been able to plan and be committed to the way we do things. There has to be correct policies and strategies for things to work out well. In Ethiopia, when things are to be done, it has to be tabled and debated before implementation. There have been good plans and devotion to implement projects in Ethiopia.
What can African countries take as an example from the development of Ethiopia over the years to move forward?
We should be able to relate to each other, in what we are doing right and not doing well in the continent. We do not have to look up to only countries in the West and Far East for everything. If we get aid it is good. However, we do not have to depend solely on outside help and assistance. African countries should look inwards and learn from each other.  
With so many ethnic nationalities and cultures in Ethiopia, what has the country done to check the differences?
Ethiopia is a multi-cultural country with about 80 tribes speaking different languages. But what really stands out is that the people have their own history, languages and cultures protected by the Constitution. The Constitution protects all the people’s rights to their ways and also the right to practice their religion without any hindrances. Therefore, nations and nationalities in Ethiopia are all living in harmony. Ethiopia has the oldest church in Africa established in 4 AD and the oldest mosque in 7AD. So the right to religion is guaranteed for all. We respect and tolerate one another.  
How is the bilateral relation between Ethiopia and Nigeria going?
On bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Nigeria, we signed different agreements. To mention but two of them, is a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) as well as the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) where Nigeria sends teachers to Ethiopia. Expert’s experience and training as well as official visits took place between two sisterly countries repeatedly.  In 2011, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan visited Ethiopia during the time of the late Prime Minister. We are expecting a similar visit to Nigeria by the Ethiopian Prime Minister this month.