| Let's make history By Reporter Editorial! |
It may seem that in the backdrop of the global economic crisis it will be next to impossible for Ethiopians to make history in the economic arena. But if we have the will to do so there is no reason why we can't.
There are views, both from outside and within, that the May elections were not up to international standards and did not augur well for democracy in Ethiopia as the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and its allies won 99.6 percent of parliamentary seats. But if we have the will we can make history on the democracy front.
Criticisms that the ethnic federalism Ethiopia follows leads to the polarization of its people abound. But if we have the will we can make history by becoming models who exemplify genuine unity.
Some Ethiopians fret whenever the World Bank, the IMF, the US government, the European Union and other donors and lenders express displeasure with the country. But if we have the will we can establish durable ties with the West and the East, Christians and Muslims, Arabs and Israelis, blacks and whites, etc and make history in international relations and diplomacy.
We can go on and on. The important thing, however, is that we can make history in anything we put our mind to. So let's make history!
Notwithstanding political differences among ourselves, we can work together as a people on the issues which unify us if we are truly patriotic, willing to pay the necessary sacrifice and put in place favorable policies and procedures. If the government and the people were to join hands, the money raised locally and from Ethiopians in the diaspora can exceed what donors and lenders give us and be invested meaningfully. If Ethiopians managed to create wealth and build our capacity, there are numerous things we can reach consensus and collaborate on. Let's make history in this regard too.
Ethiopian intellectuals and scholars living both at home and abroad possess a considerable pool of knowledge and capacity in various areas, including the construction sector, computer science, information and communication technology, banking, medicine, commerce, entrepreneurship, etc. If we were to exploit this knowledge, we cannot only save the millions of dollars we pay annually to foreign consultants but also use it to generate income. India, for instance, earns up to USD 50 billion annually from knowledge service. It's possible for Ethiopian computer science professionals to use their knowledge for the benefit of their country by linking with multi-national companies like Microsoft.
We can make Ethiopia the India of Africa. Let's do so and make history!
Ethiopians proudly claim that Ethiopia has a long history, is endowed with natural resources, possesses a wonderful culture and is home to some eighty nations and nationalities. However, we have not exploited this resource to its fullest extent to generate revenue from tourism, unlike neighboring Kenya and Tanzania. Let 's make history by transforming our tourism potential into a money earner through a strong tourism policy.
The world equates Ethiopia with drought and famine; it looks down on us as a needy people. The picture that comes to its mind when it thinks of Ethiopia are bodies emaciated by hunger rather than people who are beautiful and have a cheerful smile. It is sad that a fertile country like Ethiopia suffers from drought and famine and has to buy wheat to feed its people. Let's rethink our agriculture policy, let's encourage commercial farming and enable Ethiopia to sell food to the world. Just like India, let's make drought and famine a distant memory and create a new history that distinguishes Ethiopia as a country where everything is plentiful and which exports food.
Ethiopia is a founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and its seat as well as to its successor, the African Union. There is no need to take unnecessary pride in this fact. We should make Ethiopia a center of African arts, culture, science, technology and development. Let's facilitate conditions for African investors to come in droves to Ethiopia. Let's revisit our policies; let's make fellow Africans think of Ethiopia not only as a seat to the continental organization but also as their second home, their inspiration and their pride.
Who says that Ethiopia can be synomous with war and instability only, and not with democracy? We can make history on this front too. We can serve as models for a successful election by creating strong political parties and by conducting free and fair elections.
We can make history by putting Ethiopia in the rank of nations which guarantee respect for freedom of expression and the media, which is recognized under our Constitution through various means like allowing the private press and electronic media to flourish and strengthen, ensuring that both the state and private media act responsibly and serve the public's interest, and eliminating the existing monopoly and lack of operating space. Let's make this history.
While several countries have suffered from religious and ethnic conflicts, the followers of both Christianity and Islam live peacefully side by side as do the many nations and nationalities. But we can take this to a higher level. Let's live the motto "diversity is beauty" and demonstrate that we can co-exist harmoniously and love each other. Let's make history!
The world is before us. Let's change our attitude. Let's have determination and drive. Let's work hard and make our country proud. Let's make history!
Reporter - Editorial |
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