The Amhara Regional Government has reaffirmed its determination to crack down on corruption, unveiling new plans to strengthen accountability and promote ethical conduct across institutions in the 2018 fiscal year.The announcement followed a review of last year’s activities by the Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Coalition, which brings together government offices, religious institutions, and community organizations. Officials said the coalition has made progress in creating awareness and modernizing systems, but emphasized that the fight against corruption must intensify to protect public resources and build a culture of integrity.“Every institution must approach its work with transparency and discipline,” said Habtamu Moges, Commissioner of the Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. “Leaders themselves must be examples of honesty if we are to defeat corruption.” He noted that digitalization, one-stop service centers, and stricter legal enforcement will be expanded in the year ahead.Across Ethiopia, corruption has long been cited as one of the biggest threats to development. Mismanagement, rent-seeking practices, and unethical conduct within public offices can drain government revenue and weaken public trust. Studies show that when corruption becomes systemic, it not only reduces efficiency in service delivery but also discourages investment and fuels inequality. The Amhara region, like others in the country, has faced repeated challenges in this area. Revenue bureau officials admitted that some professionals have undermined institutions by engaging in improper relationships and malpractice. To counter this, the region has introduced reforms such as digitized services to cut down on bureaucracy and reduce opportunities for bribery.Faith institutions are also being called upon to play a more active role in shaping society’s values. “Beyond spiritual teachings, our responsibility is to help cultivate ethical generations that reject dishonesty,” said Fasika Taye, head of the Secretariat of the Interfaith Council. The council has begun integrating anti-corruption messages into sermons and community programs, stressing that good conduct is as important as faith itself.Officials say the anti-corruption drive is part of the Amhara region’s long-term development vision. Within its 25-year strategic plan, one of the five core objectives is building an “ethically sound generation.” This aligns with Ethiopia’s broader governance reforms, where regional governments are expected to strengthen internal accountability systems while encouraging civic participation. Analysts note that anti-corruption efforts often succeed when they go beyond punitive measures. While strict legal action is essential, lasting change usually comes from a combination of ethical education, stronger institutions, and technological modernization. For example, countries that have digitized government services significantly reduced petty corruption by limiting direct interactions between citizens and bureaucrats.In the coming year, Amhara officials plan to intensify ethics education for public servants, monitor institutions more closely, and collaborate with communities to expose malpractice. The regional council has urged all stakeholders to work proactively, warning that the responsibility to stop corruption now lies with the present generation, before the problem worsens for future ones.As Ethiopia navigates economic challenges and governance reforms, the success of such regional anti-corruption campaigns will be critical. For Amhara, the test will be whether strong declarations can be translated into measurable results: cleaner institutions, restored public trust, and a generation that values integrity over dishonesty.
