Ethiopia has various cultural heritages and tourism assets that can serve for job creation and income generation, yet the underdevelopment of infrastructure, pertinent institutions and low level of awareness, the sector contribution to the economy is negligible. The government in order to promote the sector has taken various measures and among others introducing new supportive laws to the efforts, allocating budget and making institutional arrangements. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is the authorized institution which engages in promoting the sector. It also carries out its duties with collaborating with the government and none governmental institutions to attain its objectives.
Alemayehu Getachew is the Communication Affairs Directorate Director of the Ministry as to him, the ministry has five institutions under its auspicious namely, the sport commission, tourism training institution, the Ethiopian National Theatre, the National Archive and Library Agency and the Ethiopian Fine Arts Heritage.
In addition, it has working relations with the Ethiopian Wild Life Conservation Authority and the Ethiopian Tourism. The regional Bureaus also have their own structures up to the woreda level.
The Ministry is mainly engaged in formulating legal frame works, creating enabling environment for institutions under its auspicious. With regard to the plan accomplishment, each institution has its own mandate but the Ministry has a supervising role.
As to Alemayehu, the Ministry has prepared its ten year plan which lasts from 2012 to 2022 EC in addition, it has prepared a five years plan which is casketed from the mentioned plan. One of the plans accomplishments performed in the 2012 budget year is the celebration of the 125th year Adwa victory which Ethiopian gallant fighters defeated the Italian invading forces. The victory was celebrated from Federal up to the Woreda level through various performance and events.
As it is known in the last two decades and a half, while the terrorist TPLF dominated EPRDF was in power by the name of diversity division and separatism was the gravity of the Ethiopian politics. Citizenship rights were subdued to ethnic identity and the social fabric was critically eroded. Against such back drop, the celebration of the 125th Adwa victory gave way for the resurrection of Ethiopians common identity and brought unity. The Ethiopian flag hoisted all over the country and the celebration was lasted for one month.
The other achievement which must be mentioned is the celebration of the “Ethiopian Day” in 2013 EC in Addis which lasted for 8 days. On the occasion, all regions tourism and cultural bureaus exhibited their cultural heritage, untapped natural resources that can advance ecotourism and be an option for investment. The occasion created opportunities for various ethnic groups to know each other and exchange of knowledge and experience. The exhibition was visited by more than 30 thousand people. The event was organized with the cooperation of the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Women Children and Youth.
In the aspect of fine, arts and heritage in this budget year, various works have been accomplished. The reviving and renewing of the Tiya traditional monument found in the Southern Nation and Nationalities Region can be mentioned. The maintaining and renewing works was done by local professionals.
In implementing the language policy ratified by the council of representative in the year 2012 EC, various actions are taken and the studying of the various ethnic groups language is undergoing. As it known, in Ethiopia more than 80 languages are spoken and some of them are similar dialect and much attention is needed to study them. Even though more languages are utilized, only five languages have a population with more than one million in addition to these, only few languages have scripts hence, studying the language seems a protracted task which consumes huge budget and need skilled manpower.
There are also capital projects for promoting art and culture. The National Archive and Library Agency to upgrade its service provision and to enhance its activities it is constructing the 13 story building and it is nearing its completion. The construction of stadium in the Adey Abeba in Nifas Silk Lafto Sub City of Addis Ababa also supports advancing sport and sport culture by the society.
Moreover, the Federal Sport Commission has a vision to make sport as investment venture. Sport serves to keep human beings physical and mental health but to promote sport activities, the expansion of infrastructures is essential. In Ethiopia to date sport infrastructures are constructed and owned by the public institutions. Most of sport clubs are also financed and owned by the public institutions. The other countries experience indicates that the private sector highly involves in sport activities and garners huge sum of money through sport tournament and support the economy.
To introduce sport investment in our country plans are crafted. According to the Federal Sport Commission, sport activities are performed individually and in group in organized manner. To promote the activities there must be institutions, teams, sport competitions, training, education, inputs, equipment and performing places. Hence, to promote and advance such activities opportunities are facilitated to investors, he said.
As to Alemayehu, most investors are engaged in sport related business import sport materials, clothes and shoes now the government intends to encourage them to install factories which substitute the importation of sport materials and create job opportunities to citizens.
It is undeniable fact that, the tourism sector is critically affected by COVID-19 not only here but also all over the world. In the initial phase of the out brake of the disease, many countries were lock downed. International flights were interrupted as the result, tourists travel was banned which intern critically affected the tourism sector. The crises in one way or another affected the Ethiopian tourism and the income generated from the sector was declined but now after the invention of COVID-19 vaccination it seems the sector is reinvigorating. Side by side with copping the virus impact rehabilitation work for tourism destines is vital and in the near future the sector will come back to its previous status.
BY ABEBE WOLDEGIORGIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SEPTEMBER 8/ 2021
