Government urges speedy civil service reform

A radical re-shaping of the civil service within Ethiopia will ensure transparency and speed up democracy, the government said on Wednesday.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Information, it urged the continuation of the much-welcomed civil service reform programme.

However, the statement said that some government departments were failing to meet the required standards of the scheme, which was launched last September by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

“Ensuring the civil service reform programme is an important task that demands change of attitude,” said the statement. “It needs the conviction of the leadership and employees that they are public servants and are duty bound to exercise transparency and accountability in exercising their duty."

The government sees the reforms as a key tool in improving democracy and accountability in Ethiopia – a move that has been widely welcomed by the international community.

Among the reforms is a civil service college where staff undergo intensive training in their role as government employees.

The call follows a radical shake-up of the Addis Ababa city authority which was facing accusations of corruption. The prime minister dissolved the capital’s ruling body on grounds of incompetence and replaced it with a caretaker government.

The new administration took over on Friday and pledged to create jobs, alleviate the capital's chronic housing shortage and improve the environment.

An estimated 40 percent of the population in Addis Ababa is believed to be unemployed.