INTERVIEW
By Solomon Gebre-Medhin
Our guest today Wagaye Hagos, 80, has been a witness of what has happened during the three government systems in Ethiopia: The Haile-Selassie regime, the Derg and the incumbent. Comparing the three, he put anticipation that things--life in general in Ethiopia-- will get better and better in the future. Of the principles he believes, one is: do good thing to everyone, not seeking compliment in return but only to be happy. And that is why, among other reasons, he is providing his books (he wrote about eight books) to readers for free.
However, he also expressed his fear that the change he foresees might not come true unless the incumbent strive in creating a free, skilled and diligent civil servant that is free from any political influence. The Ethiopian Herald had some time with him and discussed various issues including the possible contribution the Diaspora can share to the growth of the nation and the need for the activities the government is required to carry out in order to urge the diaspora to play their respective role.
Born in a small town in the the former Gamo Gofa Zone, Wagaye served across the country in various disciplines including as an aeronautical weather forecaster. He was also the founding members of the Ethiopia Meteorological Society (ETMS) in 2006. Wagaye is currently running his own business around Megenagna area.
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Herald: Would you please say something about your autobiography ?
Wagaye: I was born in 1934 in the former Gamo Gofa Zone Kemba area. As per the trend we Ethiopians have developed since long back, I attended my schooling at what is known 'Qes timihirt bet'--traditional schools to study the basics of reading and computing. Then I had to move to Addis for further education. That was in 1942. I have relatives here so that I was able to finish my education.
Here in Addis, I joined a school called Tesfa Kokeb and attended elementary education. And I attended General Winget School for my secondary education. After I studied at the later school for three years, the National Civil Aviation Technical School, established under the International Civil Aviation Organization, offers courses on Meteorology, Radio Technician, and Aircraft Mechanic. The idea was to assign the youth who graduate from the school to serve in the civil aviation institute; and those who graduate in radio technician and aircraft mechanic to serve in the Ethiopian Airlines. As a result of the opening of the technical school, the human capacity of both the civil aviation organization and the Ethiopian Airlines would be strengthened. The trainers were from three different countries: Sweden (Meteorology), British (Radio Technician) and American (Aircraft Mechanic), and the director from Canada.
After accomplishing my studies on Meteorology, I was assigned to the Negele Borena Station as a weather observer to send data to the central station in the capital. After almost three months of service in Negele, I was appointed in Dire Dawa and worked as a weather observer for three months. Then when a new station was opened in Wollo, Kombolcha, I was as well at the station on similar task.
After those services, in 1953, I studied advanced meteorology and advanced mathematics at the Addis Ababa University. Afterwards, with the opportunities few of us had to learn advanced meteorology abroad, with two other friends of mine, we went to America, Pennsylvania State, Penn State University--it was in July 1954. Completing the courses then, we had to travel to Puerto Rico Sanmar to practically learn whether forecasting for the tropical weather for that place has similar climate with Ethiopia.
What we did was forecasting the weather of a certain area as high as 35 thousand feet where the air planes pass through. Then in 1958 I returned home. That was the time where Eritrea was united with Ethiopia in federation. And when a new station opened in Eritrea, I served as an aeronautical weather forecaster for about three years. By then, the airport had dual function for both the commercial and military aircraft and our service was to deliver weather forecast information for both.
Additionally, I also shouldered the task of training some youths on weather observers who were to be assigned to the newly opened weather observing stations in Eritrea.
Then coming back to Addis, I was assigned as the manager of the civilization technical school. That was a moment I divorced from my task as a meteorology professional. And subsequently, I became the director of the Civil Aviation in 1962; and I served for two years in that post.
Herald: Recently the nation held Diaspora Day--the first of its kind; how did it happen to you?
Wagaye: After serving at Civil Aviation as a director, I didn't continue working in any government organizations since 1963/64. I clearly put the reasons why I quit government organizations in the book I wrote. Until the revolution took place in 1973/74, I embarked on quite different endeavour that is: life insurance business. As the business was run well, in 1974, the government nationalized private businesses such as insurance companies, banks among others. So, I ended up with bankruptcy. Then I joined the Addis Ababa Chambers of Commerce and served for ten years in coordinating some 12 committees comprising about 120 members. I also served as acting director of the Chambers. In the meantime, our Chambers didn't accept the mixed economy the government introduced that time. We informed the government that the newly introduced mixed economy, with a view to benefiting nationwide, it failed to get the acceptance of the chambers' as well as the business community. And that made me to be seen as an obstacle to the system and I left for America. By then my children were in US too.
Herald: How was life in US for the second time?
Wagaye: Landing in America for the second time following the uncomfortable situation in Ethiopia, I had to start life all over again. I learned real estate and insurance and started my new career in that line after I got license from the insurance commission. Right after three years of my stay in US with my new business flourishing, there came regime change in Ethiopia.
Herald: How did you decide to return home?
Wagaye: Following the regime change, some of my friends who work in several international organizations recommended me to return and motivated me to come and work for the nation. And I personally saw hope of democracy and development. Then I came to Ethiopia in April 1992 and observed the overall situation for about three months. While I was in US, the transitional government send me its economic policy designed for the transitional period which I liked not only the policy but also the regime's will to do so. It promises a rosy future from the outset.
Moreover, apart from swallowing the policy as it reached me, I sent back my comments on some of the issues. That is how I decided to come to Ethiopia and see the changes on my own.
By then, there was a big symposium held to create awareness of professionals who were tasked with drafting the new constitution. That was yet another opportunity for me to observe that the new government should be democratic for it was not an option but a must. On the symposium, an American representative assured the drafting committee and the attendants like me that the US' support is always there so long as the new government works for democracy. He also expressed his hope of seeing democracy in Ethiopia. My attending that symposium among other facts helped me be encouraged to have my conclusion on the bright futurity of Ethiopia. Besides the Western ideology was emerging as a dominant one and I as well expected that the new government would follow suit.
Not only that I was also impressed by the late Premier's ideas about his party's ideology and his thinking of the issue of Eritrea which I learnt before they overthrew the Derg regime.
Considering all these facts, therefore, I decided to return home and contribute my share to the development of the country. Back in US, I told my children that they too could use their own methods to witness the changes in Ethiopia and I urged them to come. I also told them that my returning to my country is following the helpful situations I observed. In August 1992, I moved to Addis Ababa.
Herald: What can you tell our readers about your contribution to your country since your arrival?
Wagaye: Since my arrival here, as I embarked on my own business to lead my own life, I was too curious about the activities under way by the government. Without interfering in their politics, as a citizen, I tried to express my views on various issues to the government. As a result, I sent my feelings and feedback to the government on several topics. In my letters and notices, I included ideas what are shared by the general public including severe criticism on the wrongs observed. And I feel glad that many of the activities are under way in the way I liked to be corrected. And I am glad that it happened that way.
Herald: You said that you have given several comments to the ruling party. Are your comments accepted and being put in place?
Wagaye: Yes. In my books, I tried to include the comments an the responses I got. I can also say that I am witnessing them being put in place like the way I liked to see things. My comments on the development of the country have been welcomed by the government.
Herald: What will Ethiopia get from the Diaspora if they come and take part in the development endeavour?
Wagaye: As I articulated in my book, there are a great number of Diaspora only in America and only if some of them come, we will have a very satisfying change for the country's overall growth. The Diaspora's share of its knowledge, skills including in the investment would be immense. I can therefore observe this being realized to some extent compared to the remaining huge number of Diaspora across the globe.
As to me, whether I got direct feedback from the government or individuals for my comments and feedback, I would be satisfied only observing the changes that can progress the nation.
And personally, for I am indebted to my country who taught me for years, I am supplying my books (I wrote about eight books) to schools, readers and the like free of charge. I believe I can put my own brick by sharing my life and work experiences through books for the development of our homeland. I also distribute the books to areas where there are many people such as at the gates of the theatre, cinema among other places.
Herald: As you described earlier, yet a lot is expected of the Diaspora to come to the country and support its development. In a bid to improve the Diaspora flow and their contribution, what assignments should the government is expected to work out?
Wagaye: Most of the Diaspora in America for example are four or above decades long since they left their country. Therefore, I observed that they have information gap with regards to the current situation in the country. Their information about the country now I think is like that of the time they left. No matter how different their reasons are to leave the nation, they are common on the fact that they do not have access to the real information about the country. What is more saddening is that those who have seen the country do not spread the positive changes of the country to the rest of the Diaspora. As a result of this, the majority of the Diaspora does not have the actual understanding of the country and the changes that it has registered as well as the reality on the ground. That is why only five or six thousand Diaspora come for the Diaspora Day celebration concluded recently.
The other thing is life in the US is very tough--not only to the foreigners and the Ethiopians; it is also very tough to the Americans themselves. So, people do not get it easy to leave the job they have secured there for years and come home at once.
Therefore, this government has a non-simple task of disseminating the actual and the real progress and change in Ethiopia which the diaspora should know.
Herald: Can you tell our readers your reason behind writing one of your books entitled: 'Ye abyotawi nigus menfes gubignit'-- the visit of the spirit of revolutionary Emperor Haile-Silassie?
Wagaye: This is a book about the conversation I had with the spirit of Emperor Haile-Sialssie. I wrote this book five years ago about 35 years later since the death of the Emperor. You won't believe what had happened to me one dawn while I was living in America, California. The Emperor's spirit spoke to me and inquired as to what development status Ethiopia is. Why did the Emperor want to know about the country's condition from me is what I refer readers to find out from the book.
Herald: What is your message to those Diaspora who are being blamed for coming to get some sort of advantage for their own benefit--such as to get land and the like?
Wagaye: What I say to the government is that everyone, not only the Diaspora, needs a suitable, healthy, and just environment to live as well as to work. Thus, the incumbent has to know that the task of creating opportunities should be done for all Ethiopians in and out fairly and equally. I remember university professors once objecting the act of the government while it gave land for free to the Diaspora. The professors challenged the government saying: 'We have worked hard here day in, day out and we get nothing; they have left for their own advantage and return with a better condition and yet are provided with land which we do not have for years'. All activities to all Ethiopians should be tuned with the nation's effort to foster its development and democratic system.
Herald: What gap do you observe that can be said to be an obstacle for the growth of the nation?
Wagaye: In the true sense of its structure, there is no civil service in the country, period! I tried to inform this to the late premier as well.
Herald: Can you explain it further?
Wagaye: If we take the civil service and the manner it is structured in the devolved countries, such as America, Canada and in Europe-- the civil service is a group of professionals; it is not an organ of a certain political body. The civil service must be loyal only to the constitution and the people. The civil servant must be assigned based on its professional quality and merit, not based on its political ideology. Unless we work on to establish a professional civil servant, there would always be problem whenever political parties change. Despite the claim of making the ground conducive for the multi-party system, without the structure of professional civil servant, our efforts would lack fruit. In order for our democratization process to flourish, we have to have a professional based civil service structure.
Herald: Tell our readers about your family, marriage and children?
Wagaye: As I was working in Eritrea, I met my wife and got married there. I have three daughters: two of them are living here with me, and one of them is in America. I had a son but unfortunately, he passed away. It has been about eight years since I also lost my wife.
Herald: What is that you want to add especially to advice all Ethiopians to work hand in glove for the overall change and progress of the nation?
Wagaye: As I said earlier, I have had the chance to live and take part in three different government systems. There has been a lot of sacrifices, including life, made over the past four decades since the collapse of the feudal system. And observing things today, I see a bright future for my nation. I witness government officials approaching the public and holding discussion forums to alleviate the deep rooted problems such as poverty. It is not simple to wash away all our problems overnight for they have been accumulated for centuries. Ethiopia is a country of more than eighty nations, nationalities and languages. And the development state of all these peoples is not the same. And at the same time, all these peoples, nations and nationalities are the ones that are aimed to ensure the development of the nation. And bringing all these together for the national agenda requires a heady leadership. And to make the nations progress real, leaders should play a pivotal role in galvanizing the people of Ethiopia to exert their maximum effort for the bringing forth of democracy and development. Finally, as I witness the activities here and as I follow the views of international community, I believe the future is going to be bright for our country.
Herald: Thank you!
Wagaye: Thank you!
Source: AllAfrica
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