A fundraising drive to revitalize the historic city of Gondar has garnered widespread support from across Ethiopia, signalling a renewed commitment to preserving the city's heritage and fostering economic growth.
The "Let's Make Gondar A More Beautiful City" campaign, launched on April 20, 2017, aims to develop the Gondar corridor and renovate key infrastructure, including Emperor Tewodros Airport.
The initiative has inspired a wave of contributions from Ethiopians both within the city and across the nation.
Gondar's First Deputy Mayor, Chalachew Dagnew, acknowledged the city's rich history while emphasizing the need for progress.
He noted that recent renovations of Gondar's churches and the development of the Gondar corridor, inspired by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, have rekindled a sense of civic pride.
"After this work, the motivation to write our history has increased," stated Chalachew.
The fundraising effort, which extends until May 30, 2017 E.C., has attracted participation from diverse regions, including Somali, Southern Ethiopia, Oromia, and Harar.
Chalachew celebrated this national unity, stating, "This is the colour of our Ethiopians...Gondar was built together, and now we have left our common mark on its Renaissance period."
He stressed the importance of leveraging this collective spirit for future progress.
The Addis Ababa City Administration has played a significant role in the Gondar revitalization project, contributing over 382 million birr in the first round of funding.
"The Addis Ababa City Administration has given us special support," Chalachew confirmed, expressing gratitude for their ongoing commitment.
Present at the event, Addis Ababa City Deputy Mayor, Jantrar Abay, further pledged an additional 121 million birr to complete the remaining work.
Beyond the city corridor, the renovation of Emperor Tewodros Airport is a key priority. In a similar development, Ethiopian Airlines has pledged support for the airport's expansion and the development of a connecting corridor, according to Chalachew.
First Mayor Chalachew praised the airline's swift response, emphasizing the airport's importance for accommodating the growing number of tourists and travelers to the region.
The revitalization of Gondar represents not only a physical transformation but also a renewal of civic spirit and national unity. The collective effort to restore this historic city promises to unlock its economic potential and contribute to the broader progress of Ethiopia.