A land of bounty and plenty as citizens cherish to call Ethiopia, the country is blessed with abundant water resources, ample arable land, untapped minerals, numerous touristic spots, young taskforces, among others, if well harnessed that could afford it socioeconomic take off.
Ethiopia is also home to over 80 ethnic groups well-marked for astounding time-old harmony. Hence, the country could not be beset by dearth of resources that of course presuppose efficient and effective management. It is this internal harmony even in times of danger that helped Ethiopians chase out invaders, hankering to siphon the aforementioned resources, with their tails tucked between their legs.
If the country succeeds in ensuring across-the-board even development, the glaring and acid-tested chemistry of citizens will keep on going. Slowly but surely, when affluence in Ethiopia sees the day’s light, chasms being born out of grudges revolving around advantages that accrue from nation’s growth will narrow down preempting possible dos. True to Africa’s peace concept, which stands peculiar to the westerners, peace is not only the absence of violence but also the presence of harmony, fraternity and considerateness.
When we come to Africa, collectivism outweighs individualism. As observed in present day Ethiopia, eroding the sentiment of ones, some politicians are seen blowing things out of proportion and creating fracases with the objective of having a tight grip on power, which could afford them a chance to mercilessly and unaccountably leech the country. The loan such leeches take to line up their pocket furthers pushes a developing nation like Ethiopia into economic quagmire. They use divisive wedges to weaken the philosophy of accretion.
It is with the intention of summoning back this once entrenched feeling of oneness and considerateness the government brought into play the Lucy for Peace and Love Tour. After concluding its tour in Afar, JigJiga and Harar, Lucy is now in Dire Dewa for a five day stay. Lucy’s remains which showcases Ethiopia’s being a cradle of mankind and all ethnic groups under the country’s sky could be traced back to the same great grandma could help to reignite the feeling of unity.
It could as well help to cement people-to-people ties. It could help undo antipathy. As it is to be recalled it was joining hands and hearts Ethiopian started developmental thrust towards the country’s renaissance. Setting aside differences, citizens have to roll up sleeves for further pushes. As the task presupposes an all-out effort, Ethiopians must not expect the government could handle things single alone.
As the adage runs the child is the father of the man imbuing youngsters with national feeling and Ethiopianism could go a long way in coming up with generations that throws full weight behind nation’s development giving quarters that sow a seed of discord a total dead face. In resolving conflicts we Ethiopians, like our African brothers, must lean on our home grown traditions of burying the hatchet. Here it suffices to mention the Gada System. The birth of the Ministry of Peace (MoP) by the reformed government is believed to play a decisive role.
The Ethiopian Herald, March 10/2019
