ADDIS ABABA (ENA)–Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has established a Diaspora Trust Fund Advisory Council and its members, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Fitsum Arega told ENA.
The Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund is among the initiatives of the government to directly involve Ethiopians in the Diaspora in the development of the country.
The government of Ethiopia is prepared to work with and engage all Ethiopian Diaspora communities worldwide in the socio-economic and political development of the country.
In his speech to the parliament, Prime Minister Abiy called on the Diaspora to contribute one dollar a day to fund social and developmental projects.
In response to his call, a diverse group of well-known Ethiopian scholars, business executives and other professional have volunteered to mobilize the Diaspora.
The Council is expected to come up with a plan, which includes mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency, project section criteria for funding and identification of practical means to attract wide support among the Diaspora.
The Diaspora Trust Fund Advisory Council is also expected to seek input from the Diaspora communities to ensure that their voices are heard in the establishment and administration of the fund.
Members of the Diaspora Trust Fund Advisory Council include:
- Dr. Alemayehu G. Mariam ‘Al Mariam’, Professor of Political Science and Attorney at Law, California State University, San Bernardino (Chairman of the Council); San Bernardino, CA
- Dr. Bisrat Aklilu, Executive Coordinator of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office, UN Development Program (UNDP); Ethiopia
- Gabriel Negatu, Director General of African Development Bank’s Eastern Africa Regional Hub; Nairobi, Kenya
- Kassahun ‘Kassy’ Kebede, Founder and Managing Partner of Cepheus Growth Capital, an Ethiopian-focused private equity fund; Founder and Managing Partner of Panton Capital Group; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and New York City, NY
- Dr. Lemma W. Senbet, Executive Director African Economic Research Consortium; William E. Mayer Chair Professor of Finance at the Smith School of the University of Maryland and the founding director of the school’s Center for Financial Policy; College Pary, MD
- Lulite Ejigu, Executive Director-Risk Management Strategy; Advisory at JP Morgan Chase; New York City, NY
- Dr. Menna Demessie, Vice President of Police Analysis and Research at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.; Washington, DC
- Mimi Alemayehou, Managing Director of Black Rhino Group and Executive Advisory and CHAIR OF Blackstone Africa Infrastructure LP; New York City, NY
- Minelik Alemu Getahun, Assistant Director General World Intellectual Property Organization; Geneva, Switzerland
- Obang Metho, Executive Director, Solidarity Movement to a New Ethiopia, Human Rights Activist (Ottawa, ON and Washington, DC )
- Robsan Itana, President and CEO, Global Translation and amp, Interpreter; Twin Cities, MN
- Tamagn Beyene, Human Rights Activist; Washington, DC
- Tashita Tufaa, President and CEO, Metropolitan Transportation Network (MTN) Inc; Twin Cities, MN
- Yehenew Walilegne, Legal Counsel at the World Bank; Washington, DC
- Elias Wondimu, President and CEO of TSEHAI Corp.; Los Angeles, CA
Source: ENA