BY LEULSEGED WORKU
Following the political and economic reform, the nation is moving in both smooth and harsh paths. Despite government’s attempt to bring about economic and political changes, there are still some challenges caused by internal and external entities.
Internal challenges are mainly resulted from those groups that are against all the political and economic reforms and transformation of the nation. The devilish acts of TPLF junta, greedy merchants, lobbyists and its associates are good examples in this regard.
On the other hand, the external factors came to happen from those groups that have no good intention to see developed and prospered Ethiopia and apathetic towards country’s progress. They are groups that do not like to see a unified Ethiopia. For that reason, they are using all available means to stir the peace and stability of the nation though their repeated attempts have become futile.
Obviously, whenever there are political and economic challenges, it is the society that suffers most. This is especially true for those economically poor members of the society whose lifestyle is from hand to mouth. In this regard, adhering to the economic reform the country has already embarked on, the government is doing its level best to bring about a radical change.
As it was recently stated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, despite all the political challenges, the economy of the nation is found in good position. In his speech, the Premier said that, the international debt, which is one of the serious challenges of the nation, is showing progress. Despite the COVID-19 challenges, the construction sector is still blooming, which is a good indication of economic transformation at the midst of challenges. Thus, all the economic progress that the nation has witnessed within the last three years has impacted the life of the society directly or indirectly.
As to the Premier, the last three years were periods where income of the society has risen. In 2018, the national income was 176 billion Birr and, in the next two consecutive years it has grown to 196.5 and 228 Billion Birr respectively. The current year, eight months report also indicated that the figure has risen into 191 billion Birr.
Not only that trade balance which was the main challenge of the economy has also shown results within the last three years.
The trade balance is not only registered because of the role of the export sector. Proper monitoring and controlling mechanisms in the imported items have also played a key role in this regard.
Due to the economic reform of the nation and the financial policy saving has increased. According to him, the currency change has a significant role in this regard. Saving has increased by 15 percent. 6.2 million citizens have opened new bank account; and 98 billion birr is saved.
Due to this economic reform, banks have collected 730 billion Birr in 2018 and in the coming year it has grown into 899 billion Birr. For this budget year, the figure has grown into1.2 trillion (This figure represents six month performance of this budget year). This is a good indication of growth in the financial sector.
It is true that the economic progress of the nation and societal changes are the two sides of a given nation, and here, it is visible from the above figure that, due to the economic stimulation, the society is getting a better life style.
In a country like Ethiopia where majority of the people are leading a hand to mouth life style, a single economic change has a great contribution in the life of every Ethiopian. As a land of youth, the construction sector is also contributing a great share by creating job opportunity and laying the ground for social advancement.
The experience of both economically developed and developing nations has witnessed that, absence of job among the youth is one of the basic causes for conflict and instability. Whenever access to job opportunity and the need of society are unmatched, it is common to cause grievance among the society; and conflict and violence are expected incidents.
In this regard, the last three years are witnessing a change. Despite all political instabilities in some parts of the nation and the COVID-19 pandemic, the society is still engaged in various developmental activities.
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 and some political instability in some parts of the country, societal challenges were observed in some parts of the country. However, thanks to the age old societal attachments, the challenges are reversed by the active engagement of both the government and the society.
As it was reported by the Prime Minister, addressing the social challenges of the people is the principal concern of the government. And due to this, the government has been taking various measures to lessen the burden. Especially, the construction of bread factory and application of modern agricultural practices were among the other achievements witnessed within the past three years. Since the income of the majority of the poor goes to consumer spending, mainly on food, the government has achieved some progresses in this regard.
The experience of both economically developed and developing nations has witnessed that, absence of job among the youth is one of the basic causes for conflict and instability. Whenever access to job opportunity and the need of society are unmatched, it is common to cause grievance among the society; and conflict and violence are expected incidents.
The Ethiopian Herald 11 April 2021
