Still moving forward; despite the obstacles!
Tesfaye Lemma
It was just twenty six years ago that, Ethiopia was on the major turning point in its history. This period witnessed radical changes in the country’s socioeconomic and political grounds. However, these changes are achieved amid lots of challenges. It was challenging even to convince, even the people about the policy that radically changed the country within the past twenty six years. But, there is one saying that goes like “If there is a will, there is a way.”
The political commitment and willingness of the Ethiopian people, who realized the very intention of the government contributed to the overwhelming changes in the country that, did well with the public at large.
The changes are so visible that no one could deny. That is why international organizations like World Bank reported Ethiopia’s economic gains in the past twenty six years, particularly in the first Growth and Transformation Plan.
The gains in that period indicated the country’s feasibility to alleviate poverty and ensure sustainable economic growth if the people, the government and development partners exerted consolidated efforts. It is undeniable that, poverty has been decreasing from time to time due to the consolidated efforts of the government and people of Ethiopia.
In recognition of this fact, the Government has maintained its commitment to carry out its second National Plan, which is mainly aligned with some fundamental pillars including fostering economic development along with social and environmental protection, poverty alleviation plan through mobilizing available natural resources and strengthening the participation of the people and the partnerships of development partners.
That is why; the government repeatedly announced that the development in Ethiopia is a responsibility of multiple stakeholders with the main focus to invest in the agriculture, then to integrate it with the industrial development. Documents indicated that, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rates for agriculture, industry and services accounted 6.6, 20 and 10.7 percents respectively in the first GTP period.
In the first GTP activities carried out in agricultural transformation enabled thousands of farmers not only to be self reliance in food, but also changed their classes. There are considerable numbers of farmers who have turned to potential investors as the managed to raise their productivity via irrigation development.
Many people at home and abroad believe that here is light at the end of the tunnel if there would be a proper execution of the second Growth and Transformation Plan. The 2016-2010 periods will be a better time to Ethiopia as the experience in the first GTP period would help in executing the second GTP.
The economic performance of the first half of this budget year indicated that, continuous development seems inevitable despite instability challenges the country encountered within 2016/17 in some areas of two regional states. In its greater inclusive development, the government has been providing lots of opportunities for women and the youth.
One of these could be creating job opportunities. In this regard, developing the industrial sector could play a significant role. So far, the textiles, the sugar projects, and other industrial sectors have provided a remarkable opportunity to citizens, particularly women and the youth.
The manufacturing sector also will play a significant role to accommodate an increased employment. Besides, air transportation and tourism will contribute considerably to fetch hard currency. The manufacturing sector will also focus on light industries, while the government has planned to give special attention to heavy industries.
In the second GTP, the government has planned to generate about 16 billion USD revenue from exports. About 25 percent of it will be from the manufacturing sector, which could widen the job opportunities. In fact, empowering the youth and women could be possible if and only if there are sufficient access to health and education. Unless the youth gets chance to be healthy and get educated, only job creation cannot reduce poverty.
In recognition of this, the government is doing its level best by set different strategies that could help to promote healthy macroeconomic conditions. Documents indicated that, the investment could represent 41.3 percent of the GDP in the second GTP and the industrial sector is expected to grow by over 18 percent in the next five years.
In fact, the agricultural sector will continue to be a major contributor to the GDP in the coming years. Hence, increased productivity is vital for the realization of the second national development plan.
It is also focused to foster agricultural development, irrigation systems will be developed over four million hectares of land. Irrigation expansion was established as a priority in the first GTP. With a decreasing share of GDP, the agricultural sector is expected to represent only 36 percent by the end of the second GTP.
All these efforts have intended to move the country forward. However, that demanded a lot of sacrifices. In fact, it is hard to compare the present Ethiopia with that of the 1990s. The changes are visible and they themselves could witness. However, there are still unresolved problems that the people need to get rid of them. These include power abuse, corruption, chauvinism and extremism.
These problems have been challenging the forward moving about the country. Unless these problems are minimized if not avoided. In fact, some of them could be altogether avoided and others could meaningfully diminish, if there is a strong cooperation between the people and the government in fighting these retarding situations. Despite all these challenges, the country is still moving forward. This momentum could continue if and only if there is full public participation in fighting the obstacles.