Dreamliner
delivery delayed
By Tesfu Telahoun
The world’s most successful manufacturer of passenger aircraft,
The Boeing Company, has unexpectedly announced that the roll-out
of the 787 Dreamliner will be delayed by up to six months.
The advanced airliner is made largely from composite new age materials
and was expected to enter service in 2008, including with Africa
launch customer Ethiopian Airlines, which has ordered 12 of the
super-efficient aircraft in what is its most expensive acquisition
program since it was established over 60 years ago.
 MORE
The Leather industry boosts value –
added exports
Addis permanent annual host of All-Africa Leather Fair
By Kirubel Tadesse
Ethiopia has one of the world’s largest livestock populations
- 40.8 millions heads of cattle, 25 million heads of sheep and lambs
and 23 million goats, which make the Ethiopian leather industry
suitable for the involvement of new business. Tadesse Haile, State
Minister of Trade and Industry, stated that the Ethiopian leather
industry has been improving by fourteen per cent annually in the
last few years. Tadesse added that the previous exports of the sector
which had more than ninety per cent of unfinished leather products,
showed a tremendous
MORE
National Transport Master Plan Draft Introduced
By Kirubel Tadesse
A twenty year National Transport Master Plan Draft prepared by
the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC), which aims
to support the economic and social transformation of the country
between the year 2007 and 2027 was introduced on October 8, 2007.
MORE
Low job opportunity for private college graduates
ETC eliminates all private college graduate applicants from recent
recruitment
By Kirubel Tadesse
Some private college graduates told Capital that their job opportunities
especially in governmental institutions is narrowing down almost
to zero percent as they are usually eliminated in the first screening
of most vacancies just because they are from private colleges. Tesfaye
Desta, Management Information System Degree Programme graduate of
Unity University College, told Capital that most of last year’s
graduates have been looking for jobs in vain. He added, “I
worry that those who could not get into government universities
and planning to join private colleges may be discouraged and decide
not to continue college level education when they see our fate.”
MORE
United Insurance earns 11.4 mln Br in profit
By Our Staff Reporter
United Insurance Company (UNIC) has announced a profit of 11.4
million Birr in the last fiscal year at its thirteenth annual general
meeting on October 11, 2007 at the Hilton hotel.
During the meeting, the shareholders decided to add 2 million birr
of the profit into the company’s capitalization and pay out
the rest in dividend.
MORE
Ethiopia’s accession to WTO on track
By Our Staff Reporter
A national seminar on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property /TRIPS/, agreement and public health, jointly organized
by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the World Trade Organization
(WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) opened
on October 10, 2007 at Ghion Hotel.
MORE
Opposition disparages president’s
address, PM is expected to respond next week
By Andualem Sisay
Opposition parties in the House of Peoples’ Representatives
criticized the presidents’ address to the parliament saying
it was incomplete and ignored critical issues.
In their amendment on motion of thanks to President Girma Wolde
Giorgis’ opening remarks of the third year parliamentary session,
three major opposition parties expressed their views claiming that
his speech has failed to address some of the major national issues
that deserve the attention of the government.
MORE
Sub-Saharan Africa :
still the world centre for hunger
By Andualem Sisay
The new Global Hunger Index was released on October 12, 2007 for
a second year running by the International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI) in conjunction with German Agro-Action and Concern
Worldwide.
The Global Hunger Index ranks 118 countries. Not surprisingly, nine
of the ten countries with the highest levels of hunger are in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
MORE
‘Ethiopian Idol’ names winner
By Our Staff Reporter
The Ethiopian Idol show of 1999 E.C that entertained more than
3000 contestants in vocal and dance contests concluded on Monday,
October 8, 2007 with a ceremony held at the National Theatre.
Three winning participants were selected to be the finalists in
the vocals category. The finalists were Bekele Arega, Million Wondimu
and Amare Tesfaye. After a final performance of three different
songs assigned by the judges, Bekele Arega, known for his cover
of songs by Bahiru Kegne, Kassa Tessema and Teshome Mitiku was crowned
the 1999 E.C. Ethiopian Idol.
MORE
WAKA at state
By Tedla Desta for Capital
Waka, wooden memorial statues to the dead, special to the Konso
people, are under threat, due to illegal sales of this relic.
Some community members of the Konso state that due to the very systematic
and illegal theft and sale of Waka, it is becoming difficult to
find a single Waka in the yards.
“Many years ago Waka was abundantly found in the area but
now due to the implicit theft and trade, most places have become
bare. The attempts of the officials and elders to educate and advise
the community were not fruitful,” a young community member
said.
MORE
History of the Nile Basin to enter curricula
By Andualem Sisay
Universities across Ethiopia are going to incorporate History
of the Nile Basin as a subject in their curricula as of September
2008.
The course will be given to students majoring in history, according
to Tesserawork Shimeles, member of the steering committee at Ethiopian
Nile Basin Dialogue Forum (EtNBDF).
“The forum considers this as an outstanding achievement of
its public consultation efforts,” Tesserawork said, addressing
local media editors gathered at an awareness raising workshop in
Addis Ababa, on Tuesday, October 10, 2007 by the Nile Basin Initiative
(NBI).
Endless queue for passports
Most applicants destined for middle east
By Kirubel Tadesse
It was a typical cold and windy morning in Addis in the first month
of the Ethiopian third Millennium where the celebratory mood is
still flowing. In this frosty morning hundreds of people, mainly
young girls, were already out of their houses before six o’clock.
They were not planning to exercise or to go to church but to get
to the front position in the long line up at the entrance of the
Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs.
ECBP introduces Mobile Calibration Service
By our staff reporter
The Engineering Capacity Building Program (ecbp), in cooperation
with Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE), inaugurates
today, October 14, 2007 two calibration vehicles.
In an event presided by Dr Claas Knoop, Ambassador of Germany to
Ethiopia, the first vehicle in Africa is to be introduced as part
of the strategy to improve the quality of measurement standards
- known as Metrology - in various industries, laboratories and market
places all over the country.
Infrastructure networks increase intra -
Africa trade
By Muluken Yewondwossen
The fifth session of the Committee on Trade, Regional Co-operation
and Integration summit held on October 8, 2007 at the Economic Commission
for Africa (ECA) hall in Addis Ababa, stated that efficient infrastructure
and services are important for the development of Africa and the
pursuit of intra-regional trade on the continent – sound interregional
and overseas transport and communications contribute to the facilitations,
promotion and expansion of international and intra-regional trade
and enable African countries to be full participants in the globalization
process.
MORE
Court postpones decision
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Federal Supreme Court which is hearing the trial of Netsanet
Demissie and Daniel Bekele, the only remaining detainees from the
May 2005 elections fall – out, postponed its cling to November
22, 2007.
The Court, scheduled to give a decision on October 9, 2007, explained
that the prosecutor was late to summit its final statements after
the rebuttal of the defendants and therefore the court is forced
to extend its final decision date to November 22.
MORE
|
Dreamliner
delivery delayed
By Tesfu Telahoun
The world’s most successful manufacturer of passenger aircraft,
The Boeing Company, has unexpectedly announced that the roll-out
of the 787 Dreamliner will be delayed by up to six months.
The advanced airliner is made largely from composite new age materials
and was expected to enter service in 2008, including with Africa
launch customer Ethiopian Airlines, which has ordered 12 of the
super-efficient aircraft in what is its most expensive acquisition
program since it was established over 60 years ago. The announcement
by Boeing of a six month extension to the world-wide delivery of
the 787 is highly unwelcome news for Ethiopian Airlines, which has
been vigorously promoting the arrival of the new airliners.
Boeing has on its books firm orders for over 770 Dreamliners and
has leaped ahead of one time rival Airbus in the global civilian
aviation industry. Airbus’ gamble with the A380 failed miserably,
ending the brief market dominance of the European plane maker.
Boeing cited a parts scarcity and a large backlog of orders for
the delay, news of which has not overly affected the company’s
share price.
Ethiopian Airlines is recording unprecedented growth in passenger
and freight volume and currently leases an unspecified number of
aircraft to meet demand.
The Leather industry boosts
value – added exports
Addis permanent annual host of All-Africa Leather Fair
By Kirubel Tadesse
Ethiopia has one of the world’s largest livestock populations
- 40.8 millions heads of cattle, 25 million heads of sheep and lambs
and 23 million goats, which make the Ethiopian leather industry
suitable for the involvement of new business. Tadesse Haile, State
Minister of Trade and Industry, stated that the Ethiopian leather
industry has been improving by fourteen per cent annually in the
last few years. Tadesse added that the previous exports of the sector
which had more than ninety per cent of unfinished leather products,
showed a tremendous
amount of growth, comprising more than thirty six per cent of finished
leather products exported to European and other markets.
In a press conference held on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at his
office, the State Minister announced that the Ministry of Trade
and Industry and the Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA),
in collaboration with international development organizations are
organizing the All Africa Leather Fair (ALLF). Tadesse added, “More
than three hundred indigenous and interna
tional exhibitors and three thousand visitors are expected to arrive
in Addis Ababa in connection with the event.” He also said
that the general objective of the Fair is to encourage and enhance
the export opportunities available in the leather sector as well
as to improve the image of African and Ethiopian leather in the
international trade arena and thereby attract huge foreign direct
investment.
The State Minister also explained that the challenge of the Ethiopian
leather industries is now only a matter of expansion and scaling
up products since it has already broken through and has started
exporting shoes and other finished leather products to Italy and
Germany. The Fair is believed to be a drive force for the already
established markets in Europe and elsewhere which bring close to
ninety million USD annually. The rarely Fair, which will have its
first function between June 24 and 26, 2008 at the Millennium Convention
Center, is organized at a time when the new structure for exporting
only finished, value added leather and leather products is being
encouraged, Tadesse explained.
Board Chairman of ELIA, Yigzaw Assefa, explained that the association
had been working to organize the fair starting from January 2007
with the financial support of international donor organizations.
The Board Chairman added, “Through the financial cooperation
provided by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO) the Fair is being promoted at the Shanghai and Dusseldorf
Leather fairs and further work will be carried our very recently
at the annual Linaipelle (Italy) and the Botswana International
fairs.
Twenty seven export oriented tanneries are now in operation in the
country and are producing semi-processed and finished leather. The
tanneries have created direct employment for more than 5,000 people.
The present annual installed capacity of these factories is 1.3
million pieces for hides and 32 million skins. ELIA is composed
of twenty one localized, associated tanneries in Addis Ababa and
Mojo, five leather garment producers and eleven footwear factories.
National Transport Master
Plan Draft Introduced
By Kirubel Tadesse
A twenty year National Transport Master Plan Draft prepared by
the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC), which aims
to support the economic and social transformation of the country
between the year 2007 and 2027 was introduced on October 8, 2007.
On his opening remarks, Juneydi Saddo, Minister of MOTC, said that
the Master plan was prepared in compliance with poverty reduction
and National Economic Development programs, and is considered cost
effective. He added that the Draft Master Plan has also taken into
consideration the integrated development of local and foreign maritime
transport as well as investment plans of action. At a two day Stakeholders
Workshop prepared to explain and hear opinions about the 20 year
national transport master plan, the consultants of the transport
master plan presented their studies and proposals.
The master plan study presented by the consultants explains that
Ethiopia is likely to change significantly in the next 20 years
and the transport sector must serve and facilitate this change.
The study added, “There are two key tasks for the transport
sector in this respect, to provide opportunities for development,
by enhanced rural accessibility, greater network coverage, faster
and more competitive services to markets, time savings to persons,
improved international links and encouragement of tourism. The second
one is to reduce transport costs by efficiency measures and appropriate
investments, to further improve competitiveness, safety and living
standards.
Lack of satisfactory professional commercial transport companies,
private sector’s constraint to access financing sources and
existing barriers to investment by non-nationals in domestic transport
are some of the constraints that need to be overcome for the transport
sector to be able to meet the challenges, the Working Draft National
Transport Master Plan explains.
By the end of the 20-year planning period (2027), the Master Plan
has objectives of achieving a complete National Transport Network
of Quality; All-weather road access to every woreda and All-season
road (or river) access to every kebele in the country. It also aims
for the Air transport sector to achieve its full potential, by upgrading
airports and services, and encouraging new services.
“Realization of the potential carrying capacity of 1.5 million
tons/year or more of the existing railway, diversified routes for
foreign trade, new rail links to stimulate regional and national
development, higher road construction and maintenance standards,”
are some other objectives the Master plan study says Ethiopia will
accomplish in twenty years time.
Having a number of ‘dry ports’ which facilitate import
and export trade flows in addition to maximizing value-added from
port services within Ethiopia itself is also stated to be achieved
by the National Transport Master Plan.
The master plan study suggests that the first tasks of the Implementation
Unit should be to obtain agreement on the text of the new General
Transport Law and to propose it for enactment as soon as the Master
Plan itself is approved.
Low job opportunity for private college graduates
ETC eliminates all private college graduate applicants from recent
recruitment
By Kirubel Tadesse
Some private college graduates told Capital that their job opportunities
especially in governmental institutions is narrowing down almost
to zero percent as they are usually eliminated in the first screening
of most vacancies just because they are from private colleges. Tesfaye
Desta, Management Information System Degree Programme graduate of
Unity University College, told Capital that most of last year’s
graduates have been looking for jobs in vain. He added, “I
worry that those who could not get into government universities
and planning to join private colleges may be discouraged and decide
not to continue college level education when they see our fate.”
At the recent recruitment drive of Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation
(ETC), it was alleged that all the applicants who graduated from
various private colleges were screened out at the first stage and
some even banned from filling out the application form. The Corporation’s
Public Relations office said that there could be a government policy
behind the decision of the Human Resource Management Department
not to accept the private college graduates, but requested more
time to investigate the issue. Some Unity University College graduates
who were banned from competing for the available positions asked
their university to help them by taking their problem to the relevant
government office. Unity vice president’s office is currently
addressing the issue, Capital learned. Arba Minch, Jimma, Gonder
and other government university graduates who have more than 2.5
cumulative GPA had their documents sent from their universities
to the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation and directly passed
to the interview stage after reporting their interest to the Corporation’s
Human Resource Management department.
The decision by the Ministry of Education that prohibits any private
college graduates from theaching in government institutions opened
doors for regional administrations and governmental institutions
to discriminate on their graduates, explain private college owners
Capital talked to. Sources inside government institutions say that
the decision not to hire private college students comes after years
of observation which revealed most candidates are below par. “Even
if those graduates come with very high cumulative GPA, their performance
in the actual work was found to be incompetent and very unsatisfactory,”
sources added.
Terfasa Diga, Internship and Placement Unit leader at Unity University
College does not agree with the above comment. Terfasa explains
that most governmental institutions including ETC are paying millions
to private colleges to teach their employees. “Why would the
institutions train their personnel if they don’t believe in
the quality of the education we give?” he asks. Terfasa added
that Unity University and ETC had a very cooperative relationship
until the recent ban of the Corporation on Unity graduates. He said,
“I don’t think this is a result of government policy
or a higher official’s order, this is just a result of misunderstanding
the potential role the professionals can play in the country’s
development.” He further explained that because of the letter
from the Prime Minster office, graduates used to have a suitable
condition to compete and earn positions based on the assessment
and exams they take with any competitor.
Bisrat Abiyu, HiLCoE School of Computer Science and Technology graduate,
says that it is the constitutional right for any Ethiopian citizen
to demand equal opportunity for any job. He said, “I believe
in myself and in the education I got in my college, what I ask for
and amentitled to is an equal chance. Let us all sit in an exam
or enter any trainee programme and let those results and assessments
determine if we deserve the position or not.”
Most observers said that the quality of education the private colleges
are giving is declining in the last few years since the Ministry
of Education and regional education bureaus don’t monitor
private colleges after issuing accreditation. The Ministry of Education
recently banned all 10+3 program graduates from continuing degree
programs in private colleges. Private college associations’
officials demanded the government to review its decision, saying
that it presents a clear danger on their survival throughout the
country.
United Insurance earns 11.4
mln Br in profit
By Our Staff Reporter
United Insurance Company (UNIC) has announced a profit of 11.4
million Birr in the last fiscal year at its thirteenth annual general
meeting on October 11, 2007 at the Hilton hotel.
During the meeting, the shareholders decided to add 2 million birr
of the profit into the company’s capitalization and pay out
the rest in dividend.
The meeting also saw Ato Gezachew Negash, chairman of the UNIC for
the last 13 years, request to be allowed to resign from the position,
citing health problems and the burden of private work. Ato Gezachew
is owner and general manager of Ras Dashen Shoe Textile and Plastic
Factory.
At the close of business on 30 June 2007, the company’s non-life
premium, at Br 81,294,075 had increased from that of last year’s
by a little more than 69%. Having recorded an increase of nearly
44% last year, this year’s growth was considered very high
by any standard. The highest growth (265%) occurred in the engineering
class with motor coming as a very far second with (75%). Marine
cargo and in-land transit registered a growth rate of about 50%
while fire and general accidents grew by nearly 26%. Pecuniary grew
by 19% while the group of “small premium” classes (personal
and group personal accident, workmen’s compensation and general
liability classes) recorded the lowest growth rate of slightly more
than 8%. In terms of actual amounts, the motor class which constituted
nearly 57% (almost 2% more than last year) of the company’s
total premium portfolio registered the highest increase of Br 19.8
million.
According to the boards report, the nominal reinsurance cession
of nearly 27% out of the total written premium of Br 81,294,075
was considered to be on the high side, the effective reinsurance
premium outflow (including net reinsurance commission) stood at
about 24%. The cession was markedly higher than that of last year
(19%), for the same reasons as were stated last year, namely: facultative
placements in the international market of large engineering risks
(car) and the substantial decrease in reinsurance commissions following
the harder reinsurance market conditions brought about by the horrific
losses of September 11, 2007.
Motor/auto insurance continued to account for the largest premium
in the company’s total portfolio. Though it was planned to
bring down its relative share in the company’s portfolio from
55% in financial year 2005/2006, it actually went up accounting
for nearly 57%. The share of engineering class shot up from 6% of
a much smaller total premium last year to 14% of a much higher total
premium in the year under report. Having increased by nearly 50%,
marine cargo and in-land transit accounted for 10% of the total
premium for the financial year. This was followed by pecuniary with
9%. The usual group of relatively small premium classes (personal/group
accident, workmen’s compensation and general liability) and
fair and general accident, each with nearly 5% placed fifth and
sixth respectively.
In the last two years, the company could be said to have broken
new ground. After several years of very slow growth and even some
marginal decline in its premiums, it has started to register substantial
rates of growth.
Ethiopia’s accession
to WTO on track
By Our Staff Reporter
A national seminar on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property /TRIPS/, agreement and public health, jointly organized
by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the World Trade Organization
(WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) opened
on October 10, 2007 at Ghion Hotel.
State Minister of Trade and Industry Ato Ahmed Tusa, remarked during
his opening speech that Ethiopia has launched the accession process
to join the WTO with the submission of an official application in
January 2003 and the subsequent establishment a month later of a
working party. He revealed that the first requirement for WTO accession
was to prepare Ethiopia’s Memorandum on its foreign trade
regime. Based on this requirement, the Memorandum on the foreign
trade regime was prepared and submitted to the WTO secretariat in
2006. “We are answering now around 200 questions received
from WTO members, the USA and Canada” he said. Ato Ahmed also
pointed out that the Ministry of Trade and Industry also commissioned
a study, “A Roadmap for Ethiopia’s WTO Accession”,
which has shown the critical steps Ethiopia should follow in order
to join the organization.
As a result of the endorsement of the roadmap, the Ministry of Trade
and Industry has been undertaking such impact assessment studies
on key economic sectors as Agriculture, Non-Agriculture Market Access
(NAMA), Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary
(SPS) measures, Business, Tourism, Distribution, Construction, Energy,
Telecom and Financial Sectors. Revision of Ethiopia’s laws
and regulations in comparison to that of WTO agreements has also
been conducted according to the State Minister. The third aspect
of the road map is to create awareness among stakeholders about
the WTO and the working of multilateral trading systems which includes
General WTO agreements, Competition Policy, Agriculture, General
Agreement on Trade and Tariff (GATT), Intensive Negotiation Skills,
Customs Valuation, TRIPs and Market Access.
Consequently, the Minister applauded that his government is doing
its best to conform to the requirements by adopting in 1995 a proclamation
concerning inventions, minor inventions and industrial designs and
an implementing regulation in 1997. Copyright protection was enacted
in 2004 and Trademark and plant variety was also protected in 2006.
The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) was established
on April 8, 2003.
Opposition disparages president’s
address, PM is expected to respond next week
By Andualem Sisay
Opposition parties in the House of Peoples’ Representatives
criticized the presidents’ address to the parliament saying
it was incomplete and ignored critical issues.
In their amendment on motion of thanks to President Girma Wolde
Giorgis’ opening remarks of the third year parliamentary session,
three major opposition parties expressed their views claiming that
his speech has failed to address some of the major national issues
that deserve the attention of the government.
According to Member of Parliament (MP) Temesgen Zewde, Chairman
of Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP) who presented
to the house his party’s views on the parliamentary session
Thursday October 11, 2007 (two days after the President’s
speech), government has to quickly finalize its intervention of
regulating market.
Contrary to his party’s recent demand for the government to
be engaged in regulating the market to fight the ever-increasing
inflation, which some people estimate is up to 20 per cent, his
party now fears that government’s delay in regulating the
market will affect the factors of the free market demand and supply.
MP Temesgen also indicated that freedom of speech, freedom of assembly
and the right to organize have become endangered after the May 2005
National Elections, though he didn’t raise specific examples
in his party’s amendment motion. He further commented that
the President should have indicated when the Ethiopian Army in Somalia
would withdraw. “Again, without any pre-condition, we request
the government to withdraw our defense forces from Somalia,”
he said.
MP Bulcha Damakssa, Chairman of Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement
(OFDM) said: “We, (OFDM), are disappointed because the President
didn’t mention any thing about the Oromo people.” According
to MP Bulcha, currently, Oromos are being arrested from streets
and market places though he also didn’t indicate specific
cases “We hope the government of Ethiopia will automatically
improve this situation,” he said.
Likewise, MP Gebru Gebre-Mariam, Representative of the Ethiopian
Democratic Front Union (EDFU) on his part also indicated that they
are unable to serve the people who elected them because his party’s
offices in many parts of the country are closed and its supporters
arrested.
He also criticized the president’s failure to include implementation
problems and corruption observed at the Kebele and Wereda levels.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is expected at the House next week to
respond to the partys’ inquiries and give a briefing on related
issues.
It is to be recalled that President Girma Wolde Giorgis has been
reelected for a second term on Tuesday October 9, 2007. Three opposition
parties had presented Professor Beyene Petros as their nominee,
but he was unable to get enough votes.
Sub-Saharan Africa :
still the world centre for hunger
By Andualem Sisay
The new Global Hunger Index was released on October 12, 2007 for
a second year running by the International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI) in conjunction with German Agro-Action and Concern
Worldwide.
The Global Hunger Index ranks 118 countries. Not surprisingly, nine
of the ten countries with the highest levels of hunger are in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
Most Sub-Saharan countries are particularly finding it too difficulty
to meet the targets. Of the 42 countries ranked, 38 are off-track
regarding child mortality, 35 are not on the path when it comes
to reducing child malnutrition, and 27 are off-the road with regard
to reducing the proportion of their people who are calorie deficient.
Worldwide, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced
the greatest setbacks towards achieving the Global Hunger Index
target for 2015, followed by Swaziland, Liberia, and North Korea.
“Despite these negative setbacks, there is some good news.
Every region of the world is experiencing some progress,”
said Doris Wiesmann, the IFPRI researcher who developed the Index.
“In Sub-Saharan Africa for example, Mozambique, Ghana, and
Malawi have made considerable progress towards reducing hunger.”
Latin America, the Caribbean, East Asia, the pacific nations are
on track to reach all MDG targets related to hunger and child mortality.
As part of the MDGs, the international community set targets to
cut hunger in half and under-five mortality rates by two-thirds
by 2015. According to the Global Hunger Index, most countries will
not reach all these targets if progress continues at current rates.
“Because hunger has many faces, the Global Hunger Index uses
a multidimensional approach that simultaneously captures various
aspects of hunger and under nutrition,” explained Wiesmann.
“By combining three indicators into one index and ranking
countries accordingly, the Index gives us a very comprehensive picture
of hunger in developing and transitional countries.”
“In September 2000, leaders of 189 countries signed the Millennium
Development Declaration, a global plan to meet the needs of the
world’s most poor and hungry by 2015,” said Wiesmann.
“We are now midway between the declaration and the deadline.
By calling attention to countries and regions that are not on track
to meet the goals for reducing hunger and child mortality, we hope
the Global Hunger Index motivates world and national leaders to
take increased action to ensure that the goals are achieved.”
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks sustainable
solutions for ending hunger and poverty. IFPRI is one of 15 centers supported
by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research,
an alliance of 64 governments, private foundations, and international
and regional organizations.
‘Ethiopian Idol’
names winner
By Our Staff Reporter
The Ethiopian Idol show of 1999 E.C that entertained more than
3000 contestants in vocal and dance contests concluded on Monday,
October 8, 2007 with a ceremony held at the National Theatre.
Three winning participants were selected to be the finalists in
the vocals category. The finalists were Bekele Arega, Million Wondimu
and Amare Tesfaye. After a final performance of three different
songs assigned by the judges, Bekele Arega, known for his cover
of songs by Bahiru Kegne, Kassa Tessema and Teshome Mitiku was crowned
the 1999 E.C. Ethiopian Idol. Million Wondimu, who works at the
Ethiopian Airlines and best known for singing Muluken Mellese, Tewodros
Taddesse and Tilahun Gessesse songs came second. Amare Tesfaye,
who astonished the attendants with various cultural songs, was named
the third Ethiopian Idol of the year.
In an exclusive interview the three contestants held with Capital,
each of them explained that the event was a great chance to meet
the public and demonstrate their potential.
The contest to be the 1999 Ethiopian Idol in the field of dance
was held with two dance teams from Addis Ababa and one from Adama
reaching the final. The dance team with the name ‘Hope’
from Addis Ababa took first place. In the cultural dance category,
the dance team from Addis Ababa bettered the Wolayta Tussa and took
first place.
Show executive, Jemal Ahmed, explained that additional six judges
have been recruited to make the evaluation fairer and equitable,
on top of the existing five. The votes of the extra judges were
described as equivalent to that of the existing ones with a percentage
of fifty each.
The Mayor of Dessie town, from where the first and third place finishers
of the 1999 E.C. Ethiopian Idol come from, promised during the occasion
that land to build dwelling houses will be given to the two ‘Idols’.
Ato Jemal Ahmed has also said that discussions are underway with
the Addis Ababa Caretaker Administration to give a plot of land
for house building to the runner-up in the vocals category.
WAKA at state
By Tedla Desta for Capital
Waka, wooden memorial statues to the dead, special to the Konso
people, are under threat, due to illegal sales of this relic.
Some community members of the Konso state that due to the very systematic
and illegal theft and sale of Waka, it is becoming difficult to
find a single Waka in the yards.
“Many years ago Waka was abundantly found in the area but
now due to the implicit theft and trade, most places have become
bare. The attempts of the officials and elders to educate and advise
the community were not fruitful,” a young community member
said.
Waka is placed in and around the fields, where the dead person used
to live.
The usual ranges of the male Waka are between 40 -50 cm and 35 to
45 cm for females.
These stylized wooden carvings are found in groups, representing
the man, his wives and his languished adversaries.
It was also erected to a dead man who has killed an enemy or a fierce
animal such as a lion or leopard.
“The Waka is produced by order when an individual dies. Otherwise,
it is not produced for commercial purposes, which is forbidden.
The Craftsmen form a distinct social class in our community”,
he added.
In most cases, the dead are usually represented in the centre of
the waka group flanked by their wives. On the surroundings stand
any enemies he might have killed, covered in an abstract and phallic
fashion. “The first people who began buying the waka were
tourists coming to visit the area, directly from the communities.
But currently the sale is conducted through unknown agents and brokers”,
another member added.
Currently, a single Waka is being sold for 100 to 300 dollars. According
to the residents, the illegal trade requires quick intervention.
Konso Special Woreda is found in the Southern Nations Nationalities
and Peoples Region (SNNPR), about 590 kms away from Addis Ababa
.
History of the Nile Basin
to enter curricula
By Andualem Sisay
Universities across Ethiopia are going to incorporate History
of the Nile Basin as a subject in their curricula as of September
2008.
The course will be given to students majoring in history, according
to Tesserawork Shimeles, member of the steering committee at Ethiopian
Nile Basin Dialogue Forum (EtNBDF).
“The forum considers this as an outstanding achievement of
its public consultation efforts,” Tesserawork said, addressing
local media editors gathered at an awareness raising workshop in
Addis Ababa, on Tuesday, October 10, 2007 by the Nile Basin Initiative
(NBI).
The incorporation of History of the Nile in the curriculum is believed
to enhance the knowledge base of the public and demystify the age-long
myths prevalent around the Nile River.
The decision is made on the basis of recommendations made by media,
academia, and research institutions who participated on the workshop
conducted by EtNBDF in April, 2007 in Addis Ababa, according to
Tesserawork.
Conducting awareness raising activities on the Nile using plasma
television, organizing regular discussion forums for teachers and
students, organizing regular public lectures and discussion forums
on water, and encouraging researchers to exhaust the available resources
as well as demonstrating the research gaps on the Nile, were also
among the recommendations of the workshop.
The three river basins of Abbay, Tekeze, and Baro-Akobo cover about
360,000 square kilometers or 34 per cent of Ethiopia’s landscape.
The rivers together account for 73 per cent and 58 per cent of hydropower
and irrigation potentials in Ethiopia, respectively.
The rivers drain to Egypt via Sudan and finally empty into the Mediterranean
Sea. The three rivers together yield a cumulative annual runoff
of 72 bln cubic meters or 66 per cent of the total runoff in Ethiopia.
These basins together supply 86 per cent of waters to the main Nile
as well as about 12 per cent of the Nile basin area.
With the vision of achieving sustainable socio-economic development
through the equitable utilization of, and benefit from the common
Nile Basin water resources, the ten Nile Basin riparian African
countries have formed NBI in 1999.
These countries - Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and (Eritrea as observer)
have concluded their negotiations at the ministerial level in June
2007, agreeing on 38 articles out of the 39 by forwarding the single
issue to the presidential level for further negotiations.
“The trust and confidence built among the countries will enable
each riparian country to benefit more from the Nile River by gradually
diverting the previous approach of unilateralism to cooperation,”
says Engineer Mekuria Tesfaye, Executive Director, Easter Nile Technical
Regional Office (ENTRO), which is one component of NBI comprising
of Ethiopia, the Sudan and Egypt.
The initiative has now begun implementing some of the fast track
projects that are believed to benefit the riparian states mutually.
The EthioSudan power connection, which is a component of Nile basin
regional power program project, flood prevention and watershed management
project in the three countries, are the projects that received funds
from donors such as the World Bank.
In addition, the initiative is also planning to implement large
scale joint multi-purpose investments.
Currently, under NBI the three countries are working jointly on
an investment program called Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program
(ENSAP). The objective of ENSAP is to achieve joint action on the
ground to promote poverty alleviation, economic growth and reversal
of environmental degradation.
This program is led by the Eastern Nile Council of Ministers (ENCOM),
comprised of the Water Ministers in the three Eastern Nile countries,
and an ENSAP Team (ENSAPT) formed of three technical country teams.
Endless queue for passports
Most applicants destined for middle east
By Kirubel Tadesse
It was a typical cold and windy morning in Addis in the first month
of the Ethiopian third Millennium where the celebratory mood is
still flowing. In this frosty morning hundreds of people, mainly
young girls, were already out of their houses before six o’clock.
They were not planning to exercise or to go to church but to get
to the front position in the long line up at the entrance of the
Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs. The department’s
main entrance gate guards were already busy trying to get in order
those who had come before six. Hundreds of young girls form a long
queue on the right and men on the left of the entrance. When one
reaches near the queue he or she immediately receives a proposal
“Would you like a front position? It is just for one birr.”
These boys who sell positions and the guards are always in conflict
and sometimes police officers also get in the middle to secure positions
for those who came early. Opposite the entrance and next to the
public phones there are women who are preparing coffee, tea and
bread for the applicants who may spend the whole day in line. Another
line will be formed mid day, mainly by those who have already passed
the major steps of the process and have an appointment for the last
step, picking up the passport.
The Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs is the only
responsible authority to issue passports. Many come from different
parts of Ethiopia to Addis Ababa to get their passports. Most applicants
from the regions are seen having difficulties knowing what to do
but that all changes when they get in as there are a number of employees
to help them. The people in the queue start getting inside at 7
30 a.m but it is only after 8:30 a.m that they get services. First
time applicants will be asked to form another line at the reception
office entrance and those who came to pick up their passport will
be lined up at a tent which seems a very nice solution for the afternoon
heat. For non Amharic speakers and illiterate applicants, there
are assigned employees to help them fill the form.
After talking to some of them, Capital learned that most are seeking
to go to Arab countries. One applicant named Aselefech Abate said
that she is planning to go to Kuwait. “I saw the advertisement
posted by Selma agents and it says for free so I went there and
talked to them. I will be paid two hundred USD when I go and start
working in Kuwait.” Even if most travel agencies say they
send job seekers to Arab countries for free, the reality is different,
sources explain. “After getting a passport, they ask you to
have a medical check up in clinics they have special contracts with.
The clinics ask you very steep fees that may reach up to one thousand
birr and finally they ask you to pay for the visa which they say
will be paid for by the embassy.
Even if the prices vary, all who say it is for free have some kind
of payment in one or an other way”, said one girl who was
applying for passport renewal.
Another girl Capital talked to said, “I am from Arsi Negelle
and there are other people who came from very distant areas to get
passports, if there is some kind of mechanism in which we can get
the passport in our respective regional government bureaus, it would
save us a lot of money and travel.
ECBP introduces Mobile Calibration
Service
By our staff reporter
The Engineering Capacity Building Program (ecbp), in cooperation
with Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE), inaugurates
today, October 14, 2007 two calibration vehicles.
In an event presided by Dr Claas Knoop, Ambassador of Germany to
Ethiopia, the first vehicle in Africa is to be introduced as part
of the strategy to improve the quality of measurement standards
- known as Metrology - in various industries, laboratories and market
places all over the country.
These contain state-of-the-art mobile calibration laboratories,
fully air conditioned, equipped with a metrology data logger, an
autonomous power supply unit and many other special devices.
A calibration service is needed to maintain the accuracy of various
measuring and testing equipment as their performance can change
with time, weathering, normal wear and tear, overloading.
At the end of the event, a press conference and an inspection of
the vehicles is expected to be held.
Infrastructure networks
increase intra - Africa trade
By Muluken Yewondwossen
The fifth session of the Committee on Trade, Regional Co-operation
and Integration summit held on October 8, 2007 at the Economic Commission
for Africa (ECA) hall in Addis Ababa, stated that efficient infrastructure
and services are important for the development of Africa and the
pursuit of intra-regional trade on the continent – sound interregional
and overseas transport and communications contribute to the facilitations,
promotion and expansion of international and intra-regional trade
and enable African countries to be full participants in the globalization
process.
It further noted, the higher the level of infrastructure networks,
the better the prospects for increased intra-African trade.
The focus on intra- African trade raises the question whether international
trade should be discounted in favor of intra-African trade. International
trade has always played an important role in African economies and
will continue to do so. African countries have strong links with
their traditionalized world, and Africa-south trade is currently
a fast growing aspect of the continent’s international commerce.
For instance, China-Africa trade growth in bilateral trading relations
and investment has been exponential. Africa’s trade with China
is now worth about $ US 40 billion.
The financial needs of the transport sector are enormous and often
linked to the expansion of infrastructural renewal and the demand
for expansion exceeds the capacity of African countries, compelling
them to borrow excessively. Currently, African governments have
problems generating and mobilizing resources for infrastructural
renewal because foreign loans and grants for the construction of
new infrastructure and maintenance are becoming very hard to secure
and inadequate to meet all of Africa’s development priorities.
Recent estimates have it that the yearly infrastructural investment
requirements in Africa will account for 5 to 6 percent of GDP. This
means meeting investment needs in excess of USD 250 billion over
the next 10 years. Thus, financing mechanisms should be built around
private partnership.
Another issue discussed by the ministers was that of the World Trade
Organization (WTO). In a paper launched at the meeting, Africa’s
share of global exports of merchandise still remain low. Africa’s
share in 2005 was only 2.85 per cent. At the current rate of growth
of African exports, and according to the United Nations population
growth estimates, Africa would have to wait until 2045 for its world
exports to match its share of the world population. Non –oil
– exporting sub-Sahara African countries currently account
for 8.5 per cent of the world’s population. At the current
rate of growth of their exports, and even without taking account
of their increasing weight in total, they would have to wait until
2387 (382 years) to see their export share match their share of
world population.
Executive Secretary of ECA, Abdoulie Janneh high lighted in his
opening statement that “Africa still faces tremendous challenges
in advancing its integration agenda at all levels”. He urged
the meeting to focus on finding proposals in several key areas,
including how to strengthen the capacity of the regional economic
communities to implement their integration programs at the national
level.
Court postpones decision
By Kirubel Tadesse
The Federal Supreme Court which is hearing the trial of Netsanet
Demissie and Daniel Bekele, the only remaining detainees from the
May 2005 elections fall – out, postponed its cling to November
22, 2007.
The Court, scheduled to give a decision on October 9, 2007, explained
that the prosecutor was late to summit its final statements after
the rebuttal of the defendants and therefore the court is forced
to extend its final decision date to November 22. The defendants
requested for an earlier appointment, explaining that the late submission
by the prosecutor is beyond their control and they should not be
affected by it. But the court rejected the defendants’ request,
explaining that the specified time is a must for the court to examine
the evidence of both sides.
Daniel Bekele is the head of the Policy Research and Advocacy Department
for Action Aid International in Ethiopia. Both Netsanet Demissie
and Daniel Bekele are coordinators of the Global Call to Action
against Poverty (GCAP). Netsanet Demissie is a human rights and
environmental lawyer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is the founder
and Executive Director of the Organization for Social Justice in
Ethiopia (OSJE), which participated in monitoring national elections
in May 2005.
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