Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) yesterday delivered a sharp critique of what he called a "flawed mindset" prevalent in Ethiopia, one that he says "praises the shooter over the farmer, and the destroyer over the worker." Speaking to a gathering of business community representatives from across the nation, the Prime Minister highlighted this concerning societal trend as a major impediment to the country's progress.
During the discussion, aimed at gathering crucial national input, PM Abiy expressed dismay that this skewed perception often leads to hardworking individuals, including business people, being unfairly viewed with suspicion or even as "thieves."
"The hero we want to praise is the shooter, not the hardworking individual," the Prime Minister stated, underscoring a worrying distortion of values. He passionately emphasized the indispensable role of the market in nation-building, knowledge transfer, and fostering civilization, asserting that a country cannot truly be built or strengthened without recognizing the market's foundational importance.
Prime Minister Abiy also acknowledged that Ethiopia grapples with a dual challenge of both long-standing historical issues and emerging contemporary problems. He urged the business community to leverage their global insights and actively engage in addressing future challenges and bridging existing gaps to secure a more prosperous tomorrow for Ethiopia.