Reining
in a ‘Million’ Cavaliers of a Millenarian Apocalypse
The First Decade
of the Third Ethiopian Millennium Heralds
Impunity, Grand
Corruption & Accountability
Public
Lecture - RL Vol XII No 360
MMXVIII
Costantinos
Berhutesfa Costantinos, PhD
Chair,
Ethiopian Scouts, Professor of Public Policy & Sustainable Institutional
Reforms
Abstract
An “honest, incorruptible
machinery can increase economic efficiency by greatly reducing corruption. A
major problem inherent in the system is the extreme weakness of the social
movements and their failure to develop coherent strategies for promoting broad
based and well organised citizenry. The huge public sector has burdened the
Ethiopian civil service with literally all human development services delivered
by the state but has several challenges– remuneration, post adjustment,
etc. Based on a desk study of the literature assembled, the research
questions augur on the following - What is the extent of corruption in
Ethiopia’s developmental state? What is the impact of corruption on society and
polity? What needs to be done to stem the tide of corruption and impunity? Looking at the emerging breaking-after-breaking
news of the past two weeks, the Ethiopian developmental state has been
transformed into a kleptocratic state. “A year ago, many Ethiopians would not have
dared to imagine the spectacle they are being treated to right now, as the
government intensifies the crackdown on corrupt officials and people it alleges
have carried out gross human rights violations. The country has watched in
disbelief - and then cheered as former high-ranking and powerful military and
intelligence officials have been arrested on live television, handcuffed while
surrounded by heavily armed security personnel and bundled into police
vehicles. Times have indeed changed” (Igunza,
2018).
Leadership,
political will and public support are essential to the success of stemming any
threats of corruption, and that the causes and not just the consequences of
these threats have to be addressed. Upholding the rule of law is important to
guarantee protection of human rights, ensure judicial predictability. It
creates a climate conducive to domestic private sector activity, foreign direct
investment and enforce adherence to formal rules of behaviour. Watchdogs are
significant components of this strategy can help increase integrity and
transparency. Creating a merit based and metric civil service is a basic
requirement for limiting any threats of corruption and rebuilding public
confidence. A culture of professionalism needs to be created and thus, incentives
as well as sanctions have to be employed. Remuneration is obviously a factor,
but opportunities for career advancement based on merit are important
mechanisms to instil a sense of professional pride. While the prime role of the
state in advancing the economy is well recognised, reducing state involvement
in the economy, streamlining the discretionary decision-making authority of its
officials will reduce the threats of corruption. Reforms can eliminate state
monopolies, economic distortions that facilitate them and improve
accountability. Stemming the tide of
the impact of corruption focuses on the evolution of a political culture,
building rules and institutions, enhancing governing institutions: leadership
and human quality development think tanks and technology; oversight and
regulation: the legislature, the justice system, state corporate strategic and
business plans: capacity for strategic harmonisation and civil society &
media watchdogs
Key words: corruption, impunity, civil society & media watchdogs, state
corporate strategic and business plans
See paper here or https://www.academia.edu/37822702/Quo_Vadis_pillaged_Ethiopia_Reining_in_a_Million_Cavaliers_of_a_Millenarian_Apocalypse
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