As was the case in the past, Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopians origin were not that interested to come to their motherland, but after the incumbent assumed the position, some of them started returning home and chipping in to help, says Amb. Dr. Teketel Forsido.
He served his country at various capacities that included diplomatic positions as an ambassador in three countries-Yemen, India and Russia; he had served as an Ambassador in Bangladesh, Thailand, Belarus and Ukraine as well.
There is no gainsaying the fact that these important people play a major role in development through investments, business exchanges, trade, and whatnot, he adds.
They are also priceless assets of their motherland without exaggeration, he says, adding: “As a matter of fact, members of the Diaspora could generate more income and more resources than any ministries do in any country. However, there is a presence of exceeding logjams to the involvement of Ethiopian Diasporas on a national scale. My personal experience shows that they are not fully sharing the burden of their country to the expected level of responsibility,” he says.
As to me, as there is nothing more fulfilling than to serve one’s country, they should contribute their share to their motherland.
He added: “Back in the day, some of the diaspora members were seen defaming and defying their motherland in a wide range of forums on record. Some people may hate to death a certain regime, individual, political party, organization, and other reasons. But no matter what happened, they do not have to speak anything against their motherland. Instead, they should get themselves involved in an investment that could take the country to a new episode of success.
Diasporas should kick off working conjointly with the incumbent to take the country to a new episode giving the cold shoulder for things that could tarnish the image of the country. But pressing rich countries not to help Ethiopia and its projects is nothing less than a crime against their motherland. If they would like to come and involve themselves in the country’s politics, the door is always open for them.
He continued: “There is a sign showing some of the Ethiopian Diasporas are coming back. If they donate or invest in their motherland, Ethiopia would move to a new chapter of success in twenty years or so. For instance, if they invest in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other related aspects then Ethiopia would be transformed ones and for all. As investment is for a reward, I would expect Ethiopian Diaspora to play a better acceptable and reward able role from now on wards.
He kept on saying: “There could still be opinion, policy, and political differences amid the Diasporas. They all have that right of differences and being citizens of other lands. We cannot force them unless their country’s love does. At any cost, they should not defame their country and that right should be protected.
A case in point, at the time when Tedros Adhanom was running for Director-General of the World Health Organization, quite a lot of Diasporas living in various parts of the world were against him. No other country’s Diasporas involve themselves in this kind of evil deeds. In the past, if a United Nation would like to support a certain project in Ethiopia, the diaspora members were in the habit of producing defames against the country in the twinkling of an eye.
It was to be recalled that once the Ethiopian Premier Abiy Ahmed concerning the Diaspora Trust fund said: “The Ethiopian Diasporas have been contributing to their motherland. They have to make an effort to accelerate the country’s development by partaking in investment and other related aspects.”
The Ethiopian Herald Friday 17 January 2020
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
