
-Audit reveals gaps in registration, strategic planning
ADDIS ABABA – The House of People’s Representatives’ Standing Committee on Public Expenditure Management and Control has urged the Ethiopian Heritage Authority to address major legal and procedural shortcomings in the registration and protection of the country’s movable heritage.
In a recent performance review based on the 2024/2025 audit report, the committee criticized the authority for its inadequate response to audit findings and highlighted the absence of a clear strategic direction. Committee Chairperson Yeshimebet Demissie emphasized that safeguarding Ethiopia’s heritage, particularly movable items, requires a well-defined framework and improved inter-institutional collaboration.
She noted that the management of movable heritage currently suffers from significant legal and policy deficiencies. The lack of a comprehensive manual and long-term strategic plan were identified as critical gaps.
Yeshimebet stressed that it is the responsibility of the Heritage Authority to lead in the registration and preservation of cultural assets, working in concert with relevant stakeholders.
The committee also called for the integration of modern technologies to strengthen heritage registration systems and prevent illegal trafficking or unauthorized removal of artifacts. Members expressed disappointment in the authority’s responses to concerns raised in the latest operational audit.
Federal Auditor General Meseret Damte echoed the committee’s concerns, advocating for the establishment of clear national standards to distinguish between movable and immovable heritage.
He urged the development of a standalone policy for movable heritage and proposed the creation of digital platforms, including a public-facing application, to increase transparency and awareness while enabling authorities to detect unauthorized removals.
Tourism State Minister Seleshi Girma acknowledged the progress made in recent years, including the successful registration and repatriation of several heritage items.
He also noted ongoing efforts to catalog under-recognized heritage artifacts, particularly those that may lack immediate economic or social value but are culturally significant.
Seleshi underscored the importance of a unified national approach and stressed that the preservation of Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage will require sustained cooperation between government agencies, communities, and international partners.
BY NAOL GIRMA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 17 JUNE 2025