Ethiopia's Peace, Democracy and Development are fruits of Ginbot 20
Civil Service Ministry and its respective organizations; Ethiopian Civil Service University, Ethiopian Management Institute and Engineering Capacity Building marked the 21st anniversary of Ginbot 20 /May 28/ with a panel discussion on the 'Fruits of Ginbot 20'.
The celebration was held on May 25, 2012 at the Ethiopian Civil Service University Abai Hall in the presence of H.E Ato Junydi Sado, FDRE Civil Service Minister, H.E. Dr.Misrak Mekonnen and H.E. Ato Adamu Ayana, Civil Service State Ministers, invited guests and staffs of the four organizations had attended the program.
After Ato Mohammed Seid, the Ministry Public Relation Officer, presented a paper on the fruits of Ginbot 20, a discussion was held among the participants. Ato Mohammed on his presentation touched up on what has been achieved and the main challenges faced over the past 21 years.
Ato Mohammed said
" Ginbot 20 is a day that ensured peace, equality, diversity, democracy and unity for Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples who struggle for democracy and equality."
He added despite our robust growth, we faced many challenges over the past 21 years. He said 85 % of the Ethiopian's population are farmers and agriculture is one of the most important and main source of the country's economic development. To achieve food security and sustain high economic growth, the Ethiopian government has designed a safety-net programme, and other food security programme.
He also added considering the shortage of houses in urban centres, the government has also designed many more strategies. Of which Condominium houses for low income people, and real estate development are mentioned as an example, Mohammed said.
Ato Mohammed presentation went to describe the social sector. He pointed out that in the beginning of 1983 the number of elementary schools were 8, 832, high school 284 and technical and vocational school were 17 and only 2 universities. But the situation has changed after the downfall of the Derge regime. In 2003 E.C. 28,349 elementary schools, 1517 high schools, 32 teachers' education, 505 technical and vocational schools as well as 86 higher education institutions in the country. This number includes all the governmental and non governmental school, Mohammed said.
Ato Mohammed said Ethiopia's health Extension Program also brings a positive change in the area. It aims at improving health through community involvement and this is also mentioned as a good model in the world.
He further said there are also magnificent achievements has registered in the infrastructure development: telecommunication, road, electricity. In the industry sector he said currently development has observed to produce high quality and competitive goods that can solve the problem of foreign currency shortage.
He mentioned rent seeking attitude and act, leaders and workers resistance towards institutional reform as challenges that we face over the past 21 years, Mohammed said.
Ato Mohammed also explained how to tackle these challenges. To meet what we plan in the growth and transformation plan we have to act and organized as an army, Mohammed said.
Finally, H.E Ato Junydi Sado took the floor during the discussion. Then participants raised several questions, forward comments and suggestion. H.E Ato Junydi answered all the questions raised from the participants and elaborated them.