Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Fostering Democratic Institution to Ensure Progress

The House of Peoples' Representatives unanimously endorsed the appointment of officials for the Institution of Ombudsman and Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in its 5th tenure and 39th regular session on Thursday.
Having involved the general public in the selection process using public media, the new appointees were chosen in accordance with their educational qualifications, political commitment, discipline and experience.
Today, the people and government of Ethiopia have been taking the longest strides to become a country where democratic rule, good-governance and social justice reign, upon the involvement and free will of its people; extricating itself from poverty and becomes a middle-income economy. To this effect, due emphasis is given in the plan to enhance good governance and democratic system building by deepen transparency and accountability.
The rationale for establishing watch dog institutions such as the Ethiopian Institution of Ombudsman, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission among others is to monitor the effective implementation of constitutional responsibilities.
These institutions constitute the national trust and integrity system of Ethiopia. As such, they entrench the principles of transparency and accountability of government in Ethiopia. Indeed, democratic institutions could make a critical contribution towards promoting good governance and human rights protection.
Ethiopia is now dedicating its capacities and resources to reversing the impact of poverty. Similarly it is steadily extending the process of building up the institutions of democracy and good governance in a manner which takes into account the realities of Ethiopia. The government has taken a strategic direction in its development goals to ensure democratic governance in the country focused on strengthening and deepening good governance and Democratic Institutions to ensure the rights of citizens.
It is true that the weak level of institutionalization is somehow affects the prospect of democratic consolidation in Ethiopia. However, over the past couple of years encouraging results were attained in setting and strengthening various democratic institutions to promote and protect human rights in the cou(ntry. It is evident than before the rapid socio-economic development of the country has been created a situation where democratic constitutions are taking deep roots, and peoples' democratic culture is steadily growing.
The country needs to further strengthening the civil service and civic societies so as to strengthen democratic institutions. Stakeholders have critical role in enhancing good governance alongside with the government to make transparency and accountability the culture and casual practice at national and organizational level. To raise the democratic and human rights culture in the country civil societies among other stakeholders are expected to work in cooperation.
In addition, citizens are expected to intensify the battlement against backward cultural practices through education and enlightenment as this is part and parcel of good governance. This would be imperative for deepening good governance and fighting maladministration.
The newly appointed officials of the two institution shoulder greater responsibility to the success of the respective institution. However, the task of realising good governance, however, requires efforts that go beyond the mandate of a single official or institution.
It requires cooperation and continuous support of all stakeholders. It is the duty of all stakeholders of this country to enhance their capacity to fulfil their democratic functions. Thenceforth, the people of Ethiopia expects more engagements of both parties on national issues that helps the country move forward.
Recognizing the key roles democratic institutions role in fostering sustainable development through enhanced democratic empowerment and participation of the public at all levels, all stakeholders of the country need to provide their support towards strengthening democratic institutions.
Source: AllAfrica

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