Israel Techane (Ph.D.) is an Ethiopian who has livedin Denmark, Holstebro since 2005. He moved to Holstebro in search of a job. He mentioned his readiness to support his country both financially and materially.
Israel told The Ethiopian Herald that it is his wish to come back to his homeland and start operating various investment projects. He also wishes to support the local community by creating job opportunities. He wants to help the rural agricultural activities through expanding mechanized farming in the country.
He added that Ethiopia is a country with a rich natural resource that could serve as an input for the manufacturing sector. Thus, the availability of raw material would make the country suitable for investment. Availability of human labor and natural resources such as land, cattle, crops of a different type, skin and leather, rivers and lakes makes the country appealing to foreign investment, he explained.
Israel mentioned that knowing the investment potential in the country would help him decide what business to do and how to start it. And he appreciates the joint effort of the Ethiopians living abroad to be part of the developmental activities going on in the country.
Engineer Lomi Bina is another Ethiopian Diaspora who is based in Italy. She expressed her desire to be part of the developmental activities in the country. She urged Ethiopians to take part in the development of their motherland. She is ready to contribute her part both materially and financially.
Lomi told The Ethiopian Herald that the country would undergo a historical breakthrough if all the citizens of the country work in collaboration. “We need to support the life of the Ethiopians who are living in the country.” She appreciates the effort Ethiopians are making to support their country. This is part of patriotism, as to her.
Historically, Ethiopians had not been leaving their homeland until the latter half of the 20th century. The dispersal of Ethiopian nationals beyond their border is a relatively recent phenomenon that has predominantly taken place over the last 40 years.
Currently, there is a significant number, estimated to be in millions, of the first and second generation of Ethiopian Diaspora in the four corners of the world. Enrolling the community population in the social, political, and economic affairs of the country, The Ethiopian Diaspora Association (EDA) has been established.
Gedu Andargachew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, disclosed that Ethiopians living abroad can contribute their role for the reform going on in the country. The community can play a significant role in realizing a strong democratic country.
Gedu said that the government is ready to fulfill the preconditions that could strengthen the link between the government and the diaspora. The government is working to engage the diaspora community in the socio-economic and political affairs of the country.
He stressed that the diaspora has access to media. It can use the media to contribute to the development of the country. It should manipulate media for the cultivation of virtue in society.
The minister uncovered that diaspora can play a significant role in curbing unemployment problem. The diaspora has created job opportunities for about 10 thousand citizens. He also thanked the diaspora that has been working to establish modern marketing in the country.
While addressing a crowd of over 15 thousand Ethiopians at Dubai stadium, Premier Abiy said that restoration of peace and prosperity in Ethiopia is at hand. The daily life of Ethiopians will change soon.
The collaborative work by the government of Ethiopia with the countries to ensure the interest, safety, and dignity of Ethiopians living in the Middle East has yielded a satisfactory result. More works will be done to its persistence, he said.
He said, “Ethiopians living abroad need to put their fingerprint in the developmental process of their country. A combined effort of all Ethiopians would yield a significant change, thus, synergy is the power to the people of Ethiopia.”
Abiy asked the Ethiopians there to work hard for the prosperity of Ethiopia. He asked the Ethiopians to play their role in the development by sharing their material and skill.
According to Zafu Eyessuswork, Chairperson of Directors’ Board of Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF) works to mobilize the global diaspora community to raise funds for vital socio-economic projects in Ethiopia.
Zafu said that EDTF has identified projects to fund after it has made a thorough review process. Agreements have been signed on some of the projects. The projects are chosen based on technical, organizational and budget review of EDTF.
Zafu said that other projects will start the agreement with EDTF upon fulfilling certain requirements brought forward by the onsite organizational capacity assessment and budget review commissioned by EDTF.
Professor Alemayehu Gebremariam, Chairperson of EDTF Advisory Council, has extended immense gratitude to the Ethiopians who have made history by responding to a call ‘One Dollar a day’.
He added that EDTF will be a major player tackling poverty, exclusion, and promoting a prosperous Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Diaspora has shown a relentless effort by giving their valuable time, energy, and knowledge as a volunteer. Thus, this population in collaboration with stakeholders and the people of Ethiopia will certainly build a better Ethiopia so soon, he suggested.
Abraham Seyoum, CEO of EDA said that the diaspora community will work with the government on domestic and international issues. EDA will establish an institutional link with the diaspora community. This would create a platform that allows the community to express their opinion legally and professionally. Other civic organizations also need to work with the Association.
Abraham added that the Diaspora community, on the other hand, needs to implement the experience from foreign countries for positive factors. The community can contribute a portion in curbing the problem of hard currency in the country. The finance, knowledge, and experience from abroad should be used for developmental activities.
Edris Ahmed, Chairperson of EDA, for his part, articulated the association’s readiness to implement its plan strategically to bring forth a tangible result. It is working to open branches in other countries. The branches would create a link between the government and the Ethiopian activists and politicians in a foreign country. Latter, the association will insist on the government to establish a diaspora ministry that directly communicates with the Prime-minister of the country.
Edris explained that EDA will coordinate awareness courses for diaspora residing in or traveling to the Middle East for employment on the culture of the country regarding employment rights. It prepares project documents and would provide consultancy services to members.
The Association organizes trade fairs, as well as social and cultural events, to support the work of the Association and promote a positive image of the country. It also prepares, organizes, and disseminates relevant information via all available media.
This diaspora population has knowledge, experience, and skill that would contribute a significant portion to the development of the country. They do have also great investment potential. The government needs to work on utilizing the potential for investment, he said.
Despite the political view, Ethiopians need to take part in investment and other developmental activities. Activists and politicians need to work towards the development of the country. They should work to safeguard peace because internal instability can affect the economy of the country significantly.
The Ethiopian Herald April 7/2020
BY GETAHUN LEGESSE
