|
A panel on “Corruption and Public Service Delivery in Ethiopia” convened
 A panel organized in collaboration with the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) was held on July 3, 2008 at Ghion Hotel. The panel which was the second of the series of panel discussions which are envisaged to be held in this year had the theme: “Corruption and Public Service Delivery in Ethiopia: Issues on Some Selected Public Services.” The intention of the panel was to:
- To discuss and public awareness on some corruption sensitive public services;
- To facilitate the exchange of information and expertise on issues of corruption and public service delivery
- To encourage/urge the various government offices and stakeholders streamline corruption in the programs and activities
- To identify corrupt practices and discuss on institution and legal gaps that could affect the proper implementation of public service delivery
- To promote mutual understanding and shared responsibility among stakeholders in the fight against corruption; and
- To come up with possible remedies and mechanisms by which corruption couldn’t be a threat to the national development.
Opening the panel, Mr. Eyasu Yimer, Director of Transparency Ethiopia (TE) said that such panel discussion has greater contribution to bring professionals and participants with different backgrounds together that would allow the exchange of ideas and experiences between themselves, adding that this would be vital to identify the problems and come up with workable solutions to the combating of corruption in the public service delivery.
On the other hand, in his opening satement at the panel, Ato Ali Suleiman, Commissioner of FEACC, Said that the civil service, which has wide coverage and extent live telecommunication, electricity supply, financial and health sectors, revenue collectors and license authority, the construction sector and others should be cleared from corruption and ethical problems to discharge its responsibility and play due role in national development. The Commissioner further noted that while the commission’s mandate is limited to governmental agencies in and development organizations, TE should extend its net work to combat corruption and malpractices in the private sector and NGOs.
Three Papers related with the theme were presented by Mr. Garbis Korajian, Dr.Yayehirad Asnake and Ato Bezabih Gebreyes. The panel was moderated by Dr. Hailemichael Abera, President of the Civil Service College.
The presentations were followed by a question and answer session which generated considerable debate that dealt with a wide range of issues. This allowed participants to forward comments, suggestions and raise issues that they did not understand. It also enabled the presenters to clear areas of misunderstandings.
Participants were drawn from the whole spectrum of stakeholders including prominent personalities, public servants, public officials, professional groups, academia, the private sector, the NGO community and the media.
The panel was sponsored by TE from the financial support obtained from the Royal Netherlands Embassy and the Norwegian Church Aid Ethiopia.
In his closing statement, Dr. Hailemichael Abera urged every segments of the society including the government, religious institutions, non-government organizations, individuals and others to exert their effort to fight corruption so as to accelerate the development of the country which in his view is something achievable. He concluded his remark by expressing gratitude to all participants who attended the panel actively.
Radio Programme Of TE back top
Transparency Ethiopia on the 20th of April has begun transmitting a weekly Amharic radio program on corruption issues. The program is transmitted on radio Fana, FM 98.1, from 5 PM to 5: 30 PM every Sunday.
The overall aim of the program is to educate the public on the essence, manifestations and adverse effects of corruption, and consequently contribute to the creation of a corruption intolerant society in our country. The program is also expected to constitute an important forum for a multi-polar discussion (mainly involving public, government, private sector and civil society) on the issue of corruption.
Transparency Ethiopia invites readers to listen on this weekly radio program and write on matters they wish to comment on.
TE Hold Annual General Assembly Meeting back top
On the 10th of May 2008, Transparency Ethiopia (TE) held a half day Annual Regular General Assembly Meeting (GAM). In the meeting held at Ghion Hotel, members discussed on three agendas. These were annual performance report, the 2007 audit report and draft membership development policy of the organization.
After having discussed the two reports thoroughly, the meeting has come to terms with the points raised and approved both reports. Similar discussions undergone about the membership development policy and approved by acclamation with some corrections.
Due to the repeatedly reported corruption scandals and the seemingly deteriorating ethical values in Ethiopia, the General Assembly has passed resolutions that to be announced to key government and non-government organizations and other stakeholders.
Global Corruption Report Launched back top
The Global Corruption Report (GCR) 2008 launched across the globe on 25th of June 2008 with the theme “Corruption in the water sector.’ The central message of the report is put as “Urgent action is needed to mobilize all stakeholders to develop practical ways of tackling corrupt practices in the many and varied parts of water sector.” In addition to the water corruption, the report also discloses the 2007 edition of corruption perception index that ranked about 180 countries. The Corruption Perception Index (CPI), which reflects levels of corruption in the public sector as perceived by business people, country analysts and ordinary citizens points out alarming levels of corruption in the majority of countries covered by the index. These include many of the world’s poorest nations including Ethiopia.
|
