Documented by Ezra Ejigu and Berssabeh Gete
Tewedaje Media and Communication, the “Mezgeb-Aemero” (Amharic Encyclopedia) project is known for documenting the biographies of people who have served the country. These biographies are presented through digital media, books, audio narration, and other formats. In particular, individuals whose biography could not previously be found on Google now have their professional contributions clearly and easily accessible online. Over the past four years and five months, the project has succeeded in documenting the life and work histories of 423 individuals, and has ensured that these stories endure across generations by publishing them in two separate books of 600 pages each.
Among those documented are media professionals. In total, 74 senior media leaders—ministers, deputy ministers, founders of private media outlets, editors-in-chief, and mid-level managers—have been included. About 35 of them are at chief executive level, and the histories of all have been fully documented. Although recording and making accessible the biographies of these leaders and media professionals has been challenging, the project has succeeded and will continue its work with renewed commitment.
Professional Biography of Journalist Adam Tadesse
This document presents the professional biography of journalist Adam Tadesse, who has served in the media for 17 years, rising from reporter to director. He is currently working at Fana Media Corporation, where he has earned wide respect for his health journalism and international political and economic analysis.
Based on a decision by the editorial board of Mezgeb-Aemero (Amharic Encyclopedia), Adam Tadesse’s professional history is documented here. With the subject’s confirmation and consent, his life story has been compiled by Ezra Ejigu and Bersabeh Gete.
Birth, Childhood, and Early Education
Adam Tadesse was born in the historic and multicultural city of Harar on March 17, 1978 (G.C.), to his father, Judge Ato Tadesse Wondimagegn, and his mother, W/o Yenenesh Tefera. He grew up alongside his elder sister, Yehualashet Tadesse. His childhood experiences span several towns, including Harar, Fedis, Alemaya, Jijiga, and Dire Dawa.
He began schooling at an early age in a home environment that resembled a library. His father emphasized education, nurturing Adam’s lifelong love of learning. Like many children in Harar at the time, he attended both church and madrasa. He completed his primary education at Fedis Primary and Middle School.
Secondary Education: From Harar to Merhabete
Adam pursued his secondary education at Jijiga Senior Secondary School and later at Merhabete Arbegnoch Senior Secondary School. Having never lived outside Hararghe before, moving to Merhabete for Grades 11 and 12 required significant adaptation.
Merhabete became more than a school; it was a place of personal transformation. Immersing himself fully in the culture and community, Adam embraced the resilience, hospitality, and traditional way of life of the area. Over time, his speech, outlook, and attitude evolved, and he became proudly known as a “Mere” (a person of Merhabete).
His two-year stay strengthened his faith, deepened his perseverance, and added a central Ethiopian dimension to his eastern identity. Decades later, his affection for Merhabete remains strong, and many of his closest lifelong friendships were formed there.
University Education
Upon entering university, Adam initially aspired to become a journalist or teacher. Unexpectedly, he was assigned to study Medical Laboratory Technology at Gondar College of Medical Sciences (GCMS). Although medicine was not his first choice, his three years at GCMS profoundly transformed him, shaping his attitude, discipline, worldview, and sense of service, while establishing a strong scientific and ethical foundation that would later influence his work in journalism and public health communication.
In addition to medical training, Adam acquired theological knowledge from prominent church scholars, enriching his spiritual development. He graduated with lasting friendships and a northern Ethiopian influence that further shaped his identity.
Adam often reflects:
“Harar gave birth to me, Merhabete raised me, and Gondar completed me.”
He believes these three places define the alpha and omega of his life.
Adam the Health Professional
After graduation, Adam’s life took an unexpected turn during the Ethio–Eritrean (Badme) War, when he was deployed to the front lines as a health professional. He served at the Bure Front and later at the Awash Arba Mechanized Training Center.
Although he initially planned to serve for only two years, he was deeply influenced by the army’s discipline, patriotism, and sense of duty. He ultimately served five years at Awash Arba and an additional three years at the Central Command Hospital in Addis Ababa, providing medical services to the national defense forces.
Among all his achievements, Adam considers his service to the Ethiopian National Defense Forces his greatest honor. His experiences across multiple regions shaped him into what he describes as a well-rounded Ethiopian, formed by diverse cultures and friendships.
During the war, his enduring passion for journalism was rekindled through radio, his primary source of information. Programs from Radio Fana and Ethiopian Radio became his constant companions. After peace was restored, he resolved to formally pursue journalism.
Despite opportunities to continue a career in medicine at defense colleges and universities, Adam chose to leave both the medical and military paths and enrolled at Addis Ababa University.
The Dream of Joining Fana and Leaving the Military
Although his superiors valued his discipline and competence and encouraged him to remain in medicine, Adam remained resolute in his calling to become a journalist—and specifically, to join Fana.
Family members, friends, and even spiritual elders questioned his decision to leave a stable medical career. Nevertheless, Adam followed his conviction. He studied Literature and Political Science at Addis Ababa University (Sidist Kilo) for five years and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with high honors in 2008 G.C.
Career at Fana and Further Education
In January 2009 G.C., Adam joined Fana Radio, realizing a long-held dream. Given his background in medicine and political science, he was assigned to produce programs on health and African politics.
His notable programs include Finote Tena, Medhanit, African Archive, and The World on Fana. With a special passion for news, Adam has worked for over 12 years on Fana’s flagship program, 90 Minutes.
Guided by his belief that “a person dies the day they stop learning,” Adam pursued advanced education:
• MA in International Relations and Diplomacy, Addis Ababa University
• BSc in Health Education and Behavioral Science, Jimma University
• BA in Theology, Holy Trinity Theological University, Addis Ababa
• MA in Theology (Christology), Agora University (online), USA
• Seven-month training in Financial Journalism, Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa, completed with great distinction. The course covered data analysis and interpretation, financial markets, economics, accounting and finance, public policy and regulation, and environmental issues.
He is currently preparing to pursue a PhD, either in Ethiopia or abroad.
His research at various universities (both BA and MA levels) has focused on:
• Health Communication and Non-Communicable Diseases
• The Hydro-Politics of Ethiopian Rivers
• Suffering and Persecution in Christianity
• Political Theology in Christianity
Journalism, Health Advocacy, and Leadership
Adam and 90 Minutes are widely regarded as inseparable. With extensive education, professional experience, and continuous learning, Adam is known as a journalist who clarifies complex issues and provides enduring insight.
Over his 17-year career at Fana, he rose from reporter to director. He defines media leadership as: “Ensuring a balanced relationship between government interests, public demand, and journalistic freedom.”
Adam has received numerous trainings and participated in experience-sharing programs in journalism, political communication, and leadership, both in Ethiopia and internationally, including China, Turkey, Kenya, and Uganda. In addition to broadcasting, he teaches at the Fana Training Center and delivers professional training in media, communication, journalism, health, politics, and leadership at various institutions.
Health Advocacy through Media
Adam Tadesse is recognized as one of Ethiopia’s pioneering health journalists. By combining medical expertise with journalism, he translates complex health information into accessible public knowledge.
He worked for many years on health programs such as Finote Tena and Medhanit, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. His work consistently emphasizes prevention, health promotion, and lifestyle change, with particular attention to non-communicable diseases.
Adam consistently prioritizes health in all media contexts. Even during intense political debates or in leisure programs such as music shows, he strives to link discussions to health awareness and public well-being. He has interviewed numerous medical professionals and amplified their expertise for the broader public.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adam played a major role in public education and awareness campaigns, delivering daily updates, collaborating with experts at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and supporting recovery centers nationwide. He continued this work even while personally battling and recovering from the virus.
When asked about his transition from medicine to journalism, Adam explains that he never truly left the medical profession. He emphasizes that his mission remained the same, though his tools changed:
“Once, I fought bacteria and viruses with needles and laboratory tests. Today, I confront them with words.”
Drawing on his military experience, he further illustrates this transition by noting that his role shifted from the battlefield in a tank to the skies as part of the air force.”
Personal Life and Future Aspirations
Adam has been married to his wife, Aberash Tibebe, for 12 years, and they are parents to an 11-year-old daughter, Tinsae (Dinbushe).
He dreams of establishing his own radio station and media training center and envisions one day entering parliament to advocate for stronger national investment in health systems and health professionals.
Adam lives by a guiding principle:
“When Christ returns, I want Him to find me learning and serving.”