Ethiopia records assets of over 20,000 government officials
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
April 21, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Over 20,000 government officials and other high ranking appointees have so far registered their assets, Ethiopia’s Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) has announced.
According to FEACC some 27,000 officials, including the country’s ministers, high-ranking government officials and civil servants in key posts have so far disclosed their personal assets, possessions, incomes and the incomes of their families.
The commission said the asset registration of government officials creates transparency and allows trust to be built between government and citizens.
This is the first time Ethiopia has undertook such a move and it is hoped to enhance transparency quash corruption.
Ethiopia intends to record the details of 45,000 people including government officials and their families. Assets secured through inheritance, household goods and pension benefits will not be included.
The registration process was officially launched by recording the assets of Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi.
According to the Global Financial Integrity, Ethiopia lost US$3.3 billion in corruption and bribery in 2009.
The FEACC has been working to combat corruption and improprieties nationwide. The commission says it has also carried out extensive preventive and corrective anti-graft measures.
Corruption and other related illicit flows are the leading hurdles to Africa efforts towards bringing good governance, sustainable economic growth and stability.
It is estimated that Africa loses up to US$150 billion (25% of its GDP) in corruption – US$30 billion of which is foreign developmental aid.
(ST)