It is with great shock of sadness we share the sad news on the death of Dr Girma Begashaw, who was the IMF Resident Representative in Malawi. Girma passed away onThursday April 08, 2004 at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Washington DC after a short illiness. Girma is survived by his wifeTibebe and his sons Derege and Henok. Tibebe, Dereje, Henok and Girma's two brothers accompanied the body to Addis Ababa on 11 April and the funeral was Monday 12 April at the Addis Ababa Trinity Cathedral, where Girma and Tibebe got married in 1984. 

The funeral ceremony was attended by many of Girma's relatives, friends from home and abroad, his classmates and professors from Alemaya University, the representatives from the Ethiopian Communities in Malawi, Ghana of the local IMF office in Addis Ababa paid tribute.

Girma completed his elementary education in Yavello,Sidamo and his high school education at Yirgalem. He joined Alemaya College of Agriculture, Haile Selassie I University and graduated with BSc Degree (very great distinction) in Agricultural Economics in 1973. He was an outstanding student in his class and he was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal for Agricultural sciences for outstanding scholastic achievment by the then Chancellor, Emperor Haile Selassie I. Most of his friends and lecturers remember and know Girma as an all rounded and excellent academics. He was very athletic and played basket ball for the Alemaya College Varsity Team.

After serving a year as a graduate assistant at the Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, he was awarded a scholarship to pursue his graduate education in Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University where he earned an MA in Economics and Msc. in Agricultural Economics, and later moved on to earn his Ph.D in Agricultural Economics from the Ohio State University in 1980.

After completing his Ph.D, he joined the IMF's Young Professionals Program in 1981. In 1983 he joined the Exchange and Trade Relations Department until 1987. Girma then left for Uganda to serve as Resident Representative 1987-1989 and returned to Washington followed by a two years service as a senior Economist at the IMF Paris Office(1991-1993) and worked at the Policy Development and Review (PDR) 1993-1998 prior taking up his Resident Representative assignment in Ghana in September 1998 through October 2001. His last assignment as IMF resident Representative in Malalwi was interrupted by his sudden illness with his untimely death. During the two decades of service to the IMF, Girma developed and maintained wide circle of close and admiring friends within the organization and outside of his work.

Girma's ultimate dream had always been to return to Ethiopia and share his wealth of knowledge and experience gained as a professional economist. He kept close contacts with friends and relatives and he never missed an opportunity to transit through Addis Ababa or a short vacation during his tour of duty in Uganda, Ghana and Malalwi.His untimely death is a great loss not only to his family members but also for many of his friends, coworkers, and many other people that he assisted in various ways. He will be missed by all who knew him and benefited from his dedicated service.

His loss to Africa was best expressed by his former advisor, Professor Carl K.Eicher of Michigan State University who stated

“The premature death of Girma Begashaw is indeed a loss for his family and friends, but the loss has far greater permutations for the continent. At a time in history when Africa is suffering as never before, an individual of Girma's stature who has devoted his life to the betterment of people across the continent will be sorely missed. One can only hope that his memory will inspire us all to work even harder and serve as a model for young Africans on how to make a contribution to their homeland”

During the memorial ceremony held in Malawi, South African High Commissioner to Malawi Carter Saleka, who is dean of the diplomatic corps, stated “ As we mourn, let us also celebrate his productive life……He was a terrific arsenal of knowledge and courage to change the world for the better. He gave the IMF Office in Malawi a human face”.

We would like to add to that his untimely death is a great loss to his native country Ethiopia, and that we members of Ethiopian American Foundation(EAF) are deeply saddened by his loss as a dear friend and a valuable founding member. We join all his friends around the world and his family in prayers in wishing him to rest in peace, and in expressing our heartfelt condolesences to his wife and children.

Source: The text of this article was contributed by Dr. Mulugetta Mekuria, with minor revisions by Professor Sisay Asefa.