Ethiopian ambassador urges Ghanaians to show decency, maturity, civility during 2012 elections
The Ethiopian ambassador to Ghana has called on citizens to exhibit decency as the country approaches an election in December 2012.
Speaking at a reception at her residence in Accra to commemorate the 21st anniversary of Ethiopia’s National Day or ‘DERGUE’, on May 28, the day that military rule was overthrown in that country, H. E. Mad. Gifti Abasiya Ababulgu said, “I would like to express my government’s sincere wish for the government of Ghana to hold a fair and free elections.”
“Personally, I call for the people of Ghana to exhibit once again the decency, maturity and civility they have shown in the previous elections,” she added.
Commenting on Ghana – Ethiopia relations, she said even though the two countries have a long standing cordial, political and diplomatic relations, these warm relations have not been strengthened through economic ties.
“We believe that there is an excellent prospect for economic cooperation which needs to be further explored,” Mad. Ababulgu said.
She cited the Ethiopian Airlines which has been flying to Ghana for decades as a glaring part of the existing ties between the two countries.
The airline she said is “not only serving as an instrument in consolidating our economic relations but also is serving as a bridge to bring the two peoples together.”
She announced that the government of Ethiopia has started a new five-year Growth and Transformation Plan (2011-2015) to foster broad based development in a sustainable manner to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
The Ambassador cited Ethiopia’s economic growth, noting that the country has been one of the fastest growing economies in Africa with a growth rate of 11 percent over the past eight years, “and the economy doubled over the last five years,” she said.
In his remarks, Mr. Lee Ocran, Ghana’s Minister of Education agreed with the Ambassador that although there are significant trade opportunities between Ghana and Ethiopia which could be harnessed for mutual benefits of both countries, “there are currently limited economic ties between our two countries,” he said.
He was however, hopeful that the two countries would avail themselves of the efforts of the the African Union to boost intra-African trade and take the lead by going the extra mile to ensure that good and lasting commercial relations are developed mutually.
By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi
It is the Ethiopian ruling party that needs advise from Ghanaians. In the last Ethiopian election the ruling party scored 99.6%. Yes, 99.6%. Any criticism of the election result or the ruling party might have the consequence of being labeled as terrorist. So who needs advise, Ethiopia or Ghana?
“Personally, I call for the people of Ghana to exhibit once again the decency, maturity and civility they have shown in the previous elections,” she added.”
This is hilarious in so many levels. An ambassador who is representing a country under a dictator advising one of Africa’s democratic nation…very funny.
we have to give advise to Africans & they have to always hear us. Because we are superior in many things for example we have our own alphabet, we were never colonized, we have more colurful culture & history, we have our own calendar , we are beautiful & irresistibly wise. African wanted to look like us that is why they copied our flags. Their territory is drawn by the white colonialists with 100 years of age while we had marked our territory by our forefathers for almost last 3000 years . I think we had more experiences as nation to give advise to any Africa banana “nations” formed by white aliens.
Well.. well .. Well.. As of I know Ghana is one of finger counting countries in Africa who really have a good governance and democracy. I think the other way round should happen… Yes, Ghana is good enough to tell us to be more civilized and show decency. As long as we are open minded and have a positive attitude; we can definitely get to the edge of civilization and democracy.
God bless Ethiopia.
One love
I don’t really care what the Ambassador have said. Ethiopia can’t advise Ghana on democracy – may be on dictatorship! Obviously, Ghana and Ethiopia have many history of brotherhood. The collaboration of Haile Selassie and Nkrumah in setting up the OAU is one example. Ghanian soldiers, along with soldiers from Senegal, Nigeria and Kenya helped liberate Ethiopia from Mussolini’s fascist aggression and brought HaileSelassie back to power. Credit is often given to the British but it is our African brothers who actually fought the war. The 3rd Commenter (with the name of Ethiopian prime Minister ) – I don’t really believe an Ethiopian person would say that!
@Meles Zenawi
you are so funny but irresponsible, truely irresponsible
This lady is in another planet. “Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough if there is a speck in your friend’s eye.”
Meles Zenawi you are a clown and I know you are joking but, . let me school you.
You said:
1) we have our own alphabet:
Response: There are remnants of an Alphabet developing in Ghana called Adinkra it was never fully developed.
2)we were never colonized:
Response: you were colonized by the Italians and they took a territory called Eritrea from you which rendered you landlocked.
3)we have more colurful culture & history:
Response: That is your opinion! I prefer our culture!!
4) we have our own calendar
Response: So do we!
5) we are beautiful & irresistibly wise:
Response: In your dreams
6) African wanted to look like us that is why they copied our flags.
Response: False
7) Their territory is drawn by the white colonialists with 100 years of age while we had marked our territory by our forefathers for almost last 3000 years .
Response: As was your territory or do you not read history
8) I think we had more experiences as nation to give advise to any Africa banana “nations” formed by white aliens
Response: You are a failed state with an economy smaller than Ghana with over 3 times the population. Learn to be quite and stop showing your inferiority complex.
In reality I know you are a troll(an Eritrean or Somali hoping to tarnish Ethiopia’s image) but, I thought I would educate you anyway
This is ironic – how come Ethiopia a country that has been ruled by a merciless dictator for over 20 years give advice to Ghana about election???
Just a quick comment. The person with the nick name “Meles Zenawi” is most probably Eritrean acting like Ethiopian. Therefore, he/she doesn’t represent Ethiopians.
Thanks
hey hey…, Meles zenawi….,cool down…,cool down baby….
Ghana n Ethiopia r brothers.So don’t try to mess here.
It is a shame to lecture Ghanian about democracy while Ethiopia is ruled by one Dictator for the last 21 Years. We Ethiopian know how
MELES ZENAWI rule the country by IRON FEAST. It is a shame to the Ambassador to twist the truth. Here I urge the Ambassador of Ethiopia in Ghana to resign for her remark .
Dear King of Kings
I appriciate taking your time to read my comment.The main issue here is democracy and what we Africans learn from one another. We Ethiopian have a rich histrory this is a fact,you can find Ethiopia under its previous name ABISINIYA in a varies historical book incliding BIBLE.This is part of African History.
The current truth now is, we are under MELES ZENAWI dictator ship.
The Amabassador of Ethiopia in Ghana does not have any moral ground to talk about democracy and free election while she is part of the regime that oppressed free election and democracy.Instead some body from Ghana need to lecture her what free election and democracy looks like.It is my hope one day we Ethiopians and Ghanians brothers and sisters will be the on front line in Africa to preach about democracy and free Election.
God Bless Africa
God Bless Ghana and Ethiopia
It is a shame to lecture Ghanian about democracy while Ethiopia is ruled by one Dictator for the last 21 Years. We Ethiopian know how
MELES ZENAWI rule the country by IRON FEAST. It is a shame to the Ambassador to twist the truth. Here I urge the Ambassador of Ethiopia in Ghana to resign for her remark
Ethiopia never made free and fair election in entire story.If advice have to be given,its Ghanian people to Ethiopian government,to let the people toward their will.But the dictators never listen
I’VE BEEN IN THE EMBASSY RESIDENCE IN ACCRA, WHEN A VERY SMART ETHIOPIAN AMBASSADOR LIVED THERE, MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.
SMART AMBASSADOR STAYS OUT OF POLITICS…ESPECIALLY LOCAL POLITICS!
I don’t think she was giving a lecture. All she was saying is what diplomats usually say. Ethiopia may be a dictatorship but, technically it is a democracy so, I don’t see much changing. Meles Zenwai is a smooth talking operator who the West loves and so, there is no way he is leaving power in the near future. He seems like a nice guy when I hear him give speeches so maybe the people can work with him. 🙂