Promoting Professionalism in the Civil Service of Laelay Adiabo Woreda, Tigray Region, Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The government of Ethiopia has engaged in professionalizing the civil service of the country since 1991. Some of the measures taken include changing the old-ineffective and inefficient civil service through different reform programs (Tilaye, 2007). The rationale behind professionalizing the civil service is to retain competent, effective and efficient, innovative civil servants who are acquainted with the desired standards of knowledge, skill and attitudes to serve the public interests impartially and in a professional manner. Moreover, professional civil service is used as an instrument to implement the government development policies, strategies and programs for nation building and maintain welfare of the society (Adebabay, 2011). Unlike the above reality, Different scholars and reports reveal that the Ethiopian civil service in general and the study area in specific is still considered as un-professional one (Tilaye, 2007). Therefore, the objective of this Journal Article was to assess the challenges and opportunities to promote professionalism the civil service in Lelay Adiabo Woreda. To realize this objective, the study employed descriptive research design and/or the mixed research method-both quantitative and qualitative. Besides, relevant data was collected both primary and secondary data sources. Finally, the study has identified certain challenges that impede professionalism and certain opportunities. Accordingly, erosion of merit principles in recruitment, selection, and promotion, lack of civil servants neutrality and autonomy, training and development, Accountability were the major ones. On the other hand, government intervention through civil service reform programs, civil service proclamations and the opening of universities and training centers can be considered as the major opportunities to promote professionalism.