BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
It is clear that strengthening transparency and accountability in Ethiopia’s economic and political ecosystem can help the nation address a number of challenges, like poverty, corruption, political instability, and tax evasion, among others.
Addressing these significant problems helps to ensure public awareness of these challenges, promote sustainable development, and build public trust. For instance, efforts made to combat corruption are bearing fruit because many violators are standing before the law, though many tasks remain.
Corruption has been undermining economic growth, eroding public trust, and exacerbating poverty. Strengthening transparency and accountability can help combat corruption by promoting openness and accountability in government and business operations. This can include measures such as public disclosure of government contracts and procurement processes and the establishment of independent anti-corruption agencies.
Strengthening transparency and accountability can improve service delivery by ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively. When government officials are held accountable for their actions, they are more likely to prioritize the needs of citizens and deliver services in a timely and effective manner. This can lead to improved health, education, and other essential services for citizens.
We know that trying to attract foreign investment by ensuring it has a transparent and accountable governance system is impossible because investors are more likely to invest in countries with transparent and accountable governance systems. Ethiopia, in this regard, moves great millstones because the Ethiopia Investment Commission and other pertinent stakeholders are working on it. Ethiopia secured one of the largest foreign direct investments in Africa.
Yes, Ethiopia has made progress towards democratization in recent years, but there is still a need to strengthen democratic institutions. Transparency and accountability are essential components of a democratic system. By promoting transparency and accountability, Ethiopia should enhance its democratic institutions and promote the participation of citizens in decision-making processes. In my view, there are several specific measures that could be taken to promote transparency and accountability in Ethiopia, some of which include:
Ethiopia should strengthen institutions such as the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) and the Public Procurement and Property Administration Agency (PPPAA) to ensure they have the necessary resources and authority to investigate and prosecute corrupt officials and practices.
Ethiopia should establish a transparent and competitive public procurement system that is free from political interference and corruption. The government should also ensure that procurement processes are accessible to all potential bidders, and that information about procurement processes and contracts is publicly available.
Ethiopia should establish a transparent and accountable system for managing its natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals. This could include the publication of contracts and agreements, and the establishment of an independent oversight body to monitor and audit extraction activities.
Public institutions in Ethiopia should strengthen their task of raising awareness among citizens about laws. This could include establishing an independent institution to oversee access to information requests and ensuring that public officials are held accountable for withholding or manipulating information.
Ethiopia should encourage public participation in decision-making processes, particularly in areas that affect their lives and livelihoods. This could include establishing community consultation processes for large-scale development projects, and providing opportunities for public input and feedback on government policies and programs.
Ethiopia should work to strengthen the role of civil society organizations in promoting transparency and accountability. This could include providing funding and support for civil society organizations and ensuring that they are able to operate freely and without interference from the government.
Ethiopia should establish rules and regulations around political financing to ensure that political parties and candidates are not receiving funds from illicit sources. This could include the establishment of a public registry of political donors and their contributions.
Overall, promoting transparency and accountability in Ethiopia will require a sustained effort from the government, civil society, and other stakeholders. By implementing these measures, Ethiopia can build a more transparent and accountable society that benefits all its citizens.
In this regard, the media has unparalleled responsibility. The media can play a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability in any society, including Ethiopia. In a nutshell, the media can act as a watchdog, shining a light on the actions of public officials and institutions and scrutinizing their decisions and actions. By promoting transparency and accountability through investigative reporting, publicizing information, creating public awareness, facilitating public debate, providing a forum for whistleblowers, monitoring elections, and encouraging public participation, the media can help build a more transparent, accountable, and democratic society in Ethiopia.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
The Ethiopian Herald June 4/2023
