Background
Getahun Tessema was born in 1911, Ethiopia.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Getahun Tessema
Edit ProfileEducation
Educated in Ethiopia, Egypt and Lebanon.
Career
During the Italian occupation, he went into hiding and fought with the guerrillas for the duration. He became Director-General at the Ministry of Pensions between 1941 and 1942, joining the Ministry of Interior in 1943. In the same year he became first secretary in the embassy in Washington and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 1947.
He returned home in 1948 and for 10 years was Vice-Minister of Commerce and Industry, going on to Agriculture and Health. He was appointed Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1959 to 1960 and to India from 1960 to 1962. He became Minister of Community Development in 1962, having Social Affairs added to his portfolio in 1966. In 1971 he was made Minister of Interior when Gabre Hiwot became a provincial governor.
Personality
Among the handful of really senior ministers, he has the Emperor’s ear and at cabinet level is a loyal supporter of the Prime Minister, Habte Wold. A traditionalist who supported tough measures proposed by the Orthodox church against the Pentecostal movement.
Career
-
1941 - 1942
-
1943 - 1943
-
1943 - 1947
-
1947 - 1948
-
1948 - 1958
-
1962 - 1966
-
1971