To label countries either developed or developing or in other words either poor or rich economy proves the overarching parameter. It seems an unwritten rule that the developed countries are those countries which have a right to do whatever they feel like due to their affluence.
In their developmental pushes, many of these countries used silver bullet economic policies in
conformity with their society. Such policies could be taken as the bible of Economy that permits one’s economy to take off.
Buckling under the influence of wealthy nations, several countries are seen facing difficulties to choose one’s economic system that goes with respective society.
Ethiopia is one of the countries that experienced a confusion of economic policies as a result of different ideologies that had popped up in the political history of the country. The Ethiopian economy was subject to the rollercoaster of policy changes.
As such the country’s economy was affected in many ways. Especially, the political turmoil in the country was among the simmering undercurrent factors. The importation of policies was made a point of. Politicians focused on countries from which they enjoyed support. They did so without considering the reality on the ground. Due to this, the country’s economy was in bad shape. So, some argue it is better the economy undergoes structural changes.
How could the economic policy affect nation’s economy? What are the main challenges in Ethiopia’s economy? What kind of polices should be implemented and what should be done to give a kiss of life to the economy of the country as a whole?
Dr. Gutu Tesso is an Economist. He is also President of Oromia Economists Association. He told The Ethiopian Herald that the Ethiopian economic policy has no problem when it comes to strategies. Rather, the problem lies in implementation.
The agricultural development-led industrialization policy is not off the track. But its implementation was strangulated by serious political issues, says Gutu. He points out that, Ethiopia has ample natural resources. For instance, out of the country’s fifty million hectare cultivable land it is only 20 percent of the land devoted to cultivation. The country has a huge agricultural potential, stresses Dr. Gutu.
According to him, focusing on agriculture is the right policy that is beneficial to the majority of the population in the country.All changes the government labored to bring into effect in the poverty reduction strategy, GTP -I and GTP –II, deserves laudation.
However, agriculture was politicized in Ethiopia. The promotion of commercial farming was highly politicalized. It was being tampered by the people who had no technology, idea and resources. Even the extension agents were politicians. They often spent their time on indoctrination than promoting agriculture, added Gutu.
As to him, the government should open opportunities to private companies and private investors in a fair way. The management was not good. The policy was not translated into action in a good manner. That is why the nation failed to crystalize a turnaround that could change the lives of everyone, he added.
As to him, the officers need to be well qualified and trained enough to effect change. The government had put in place golden policies, but the structure and the management system were not in a way that could allow the change a go ahead.
In addition, corruption was posing a challenge added Dr. Gutu. Pertinent government authorities must introspect and revise their approaches in a bid to render their policies successful.
Not only the implementation, the work culture in the society is antediluvian. The government has to carryout aggressive sensitization works on how to deepen awareness and ignite the passion of citizens to timely tackle entrusted tasks. In the absence of a cultural breakthrough, the country developmental thrust could not come anywhere near success.
According to Dr. Dereje Terefe, Associate Professor, Social Policy, School of Policy Studies Ethiopian Civil Service University, a policy is measured by its troubleshooting nature. As to him, what makes a policy useful is how useful it is in solving the problems at hand. First, policy is drafted to serve the people. As much as possible, it should focus on what is easily implemented. He points out that the service might be social, economic, political and among others.
According to him, what makes a policy either good or bad are its outcomes. He added that, one can claim a policy is plausible only when citizens enjoy the required services and the problems melt away. In the absence of these, one cannot talk the goodness of the policy, he added.
As to him, there are possibilities that could bar the implementation of policies like natural disasters and war. But under normal condition, policies may not pose hurdles when it comes to implementation, said Dereje. They are drafts to be implemented, that is why countries are developing and transforming as the result of the ball of polices set to roll, he added. But the implementation needs the participation of all; it needs commitment from the government’s side. A researche must be conducted to know the reason why the economic policies were not implemented properly, said professor.
These days, hearing the issue of policies is becoming uncommon both in the electronic and print media. Some are heard saying policies should be changed. But a policy is not what a nation can change as a fad. It presupposes several research and evaluations, added Dereje.
First, the policy needs to be cascaded down to the grassroots so as everybody understands them. There should be evidence-based reasons to change the policies. Nation could not outgrow its policies easily. It is not what it can change only due to few objections and wants. Impressions might not be enough for things to be changed and renewed.
Generally, policy failures and successes are measured by their outcomes, emphasized Dr. Dereje.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday May 19, 2019
BY AMBO MEKASA
