A
science of certain uncertainty
How sure are scientists about climate change?
By Andualem Sisay, Kenya Nairobi
Beginning from a prediction that speculates wheat production will
vanish from Africa in the 2080s to world bird species will disappear
after four decades; researchers have been saying quite a lot about
the damage that will be caused by global warming and climate change.
Fortunately, all their predictions are full of uncertainty.
They have not even reached the level that a given regional climate
report can be true to a country in that specific region. That is
why some African journalists gathered in Nairobi,Kenya for environmental
reporting training, have begun comparing the traditional African
weather prediction methodologies with today’s science of
climatology.
After the researchers revealed the uncertainty of their analysis
during their briefing, some of the journalists began to relate
their observation of better performance of traditional weather
forecasters compared to meteorology experts. Then they began interrogating
the researchers if climate science is really a science.
“We (researchers on climate), don’t know precisely
when and where particular impacts will occur although our surroundings’ climate
change is recognized by everybody,” said Mario Herrero (PhD),
an agro-ecological systems analyst at the International Livestock
Research Institute (ILRI), who analyzed various reports of climate
change with other colleagues and published a book last year entitled,
Mapping Climate Vulnerability and Poverty in Africa.
Many agree that the reason for most of these researchers’ reports
to be filled with assumptions shows the immaturity of climate science.
Currently all over the globe, there are around five internationally
recognized Global Climate Models (GCM) of various institutions
with four scenarios for each of them on climate change and related
issues.
Beyond telling us that Africa is most vulnerable to climate change
and advising it for adaptation, none of the reports from these
models and scenarios are yet able to tell what will be caused due
to climate change at a certain specific place and time. Maybe,
what most people can probably tell about climate change for sure
is its being portrayed globally as an enemy to mankind, like HIV/AIDS.
Recently many reports blame climate change for changes that people
observe. “Climate change may not yet be ‘to blame’,” says
Peter Cooper (PhD), Principal Scientist at International Crops
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid tropics (ICRISAT), for Eastern
and Southern Africa who is able to disprove one of the assumptions
blamed on climate change.
He believes that there are other drivers behind some of these changes.
According to one of his institute’s studies conducted at
Machakos, Kenya, he disproved the previous assumption of many people
that blamed climate change for the decline of harvests in the area
recently.
His findings show that it is the price hike of fertilizers that
created the problem. Before blaming climate change for everything
that people observe, critical analysis is needed or solutions may
wrongly be directed, according to Dr. Peter Cooper.
Another research work conducted in eleven African countries by
the International Center for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) also
came up with a result that disproves the recent Intergovernmental
Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) prediction of Africa’s drying
by 2020.
Comparing it with that of his center’s study, “the
study made by IPCC on African water is mathematically wrong,” says
Maimbo M. Malesu, Water Management program coordinator at ICRAF. “Their
predictions are based on rough models.”
According to Malesu, the previous assessment of IPCC did not take
into account the rainfall water that goes into the trees, grasses,
etc, which has 65 per cent of the water rainfall share globally
and can be changed to various investments.
He says: “The rainfall contribution is more than adequate
to meet the needs of the current population several times; it only
requires African governments to invest on water conservation”.
His team has conducted the study in Ethiopia, Botswana, Kenya,
Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Zambia,
Zimbabwe and Somalia. In their study they indicated that the continent
is not water scarce.
“Unless we are able to quantify the risks of climate change
in a practical model, we can not make people to react on it. The
nature and extent of climate change remains uncertain, says Dr.
Peter Cooper. “But, farmers and policymakers will need to
adapt as changes emerge.”
IN DESERVING RECOGNITION
By Kirubel Tadesse
Interfaith Peace-building Initiative (IPI), Member of United Religious
Initiative (URI), which works to establish interfaith cooperation,
end religious motivated violence and create cultures of peace and
justice, commemorates the International Day of Peace by awarding
Prof. Ephraim Isaac and other members of Ethiopia Elders’
Council on September 21, 2007 at African Union Hall.
IPI bestowed a ‘Peace Award of the Year’ trophy on Prof.
Ephraim Isaac, who represented the Elders’ Council and peace
medals to all the twenty two members of the council. Various religious
leaders presented the awards to the elders.
IPI stated that it wants to honor the efforts of Ethiopian elders
who have exerted their utmost to resolve the disputes at the verge
of the Ethiopian millennium. It added, “these people are the
ones who brought peace to our hearts and mind. IPI is sure that
this is also the feeling of every Ethiopian and friends of Ethiopia
all over the world.” Representing the Elders’ council,
Prof. Ephraim Isaac said that the council doesn’t deserve
any award or appreciation since it is the members’ responsibility
to do the job as citizens of Ethiopia. He also called on all Ethiopians
to love one another and join hands to pull their country out of
poverty.
Prof. Ephraim thanked both the Ethiopian government and political
leaders for accepting the mediation of the elders. He said,”if
it weren’t for his Excellency, Ato Meles, who opened his doors
when we needed it most and if it weren’t for the political
leaders who accepted our role in the process, we wouldn’t
be here today to celebrate or enjoy the renaissance of our nation
in our new Millennium.’’ Prof. Ephraim explained that
efforts are continuing to assure peace and stability in Ethiopia
and that the recent pardon of more than 17,000 convicts is a part
of this. He also mentioned that he expressed his wish to the Prime
Minister of transforming all the prisons into hospitals, museums
and other useful places for the nation, and added that the P.M welcomed
the thought.
Prof. Ephraim gave a brief explanation of how the Elders’
Council was initiated and operated for the last few months to ensure
the pardon of political leaders and thanked members of the council
for their particular contributions. He stated that members of the
council like Haile Gebreselasie covered his travel expenses twice,
while traveling to and from the USA for the mediation.
Mamo Wudenhe, Liketeguhane Astatke, Dr. Haile Woldemichael, Rahel
Mekuria, Haile Gebreselasie, Engineer Woldeleul Kassa, Tamiru Wondemeagehu,
Dr. Yakobe Bekelle, Dr. Dawit Zewde, Amede Lema, Dr. Haileselassie
Belay, Dr. Tilahun Beyene and IPI Board Chairman Dr. Mussie Hailu
are some of the members of the Elders’ Council who received
the peace medals.
Ethiopia to see grand library
By Tedla Desta
Ethiopia is to establish a grand library within a few months,
Capital learnt.
The library will be built in Addis Ababa in a plot granted by the
government behind the Flamingo Restaurant and Bar located just near
Meskal Square on Bole Road.
The facility named the Millennium Library is a project undertaken
by the Addis Ababa Millennium Secretariat and will cost 1,880,000
USD to construct.
The Millennium Library will provide service for about 1000 persons
at a time.
It is one of the largest projects planned to be implemented during
this year by the Secretariat.
“The Secretariat also plans to execute other projects this
year including the erection of five historical monuments, organization
of two regional and international soccer tournaments Promotion,
and construction of a multi-purpose children center.” Said
Tamirat Geremew, Promotion and Communication Officer at the Addis
Ababa Millennium Secretariat.
The Addis Ababa City Millennium Celebration Council is entrusted
with the task of overseeing the various activities that will be
implemented at City level. In order to undertake the different
programs with the involvement of a responsible body, the City Council
has established the Secretariat to handle the various economic,
social and cultural programs to be implemented in an organized manner.
In related development; Tamirat said that the magazine titled “Addis
Ababa in the past Millennium and prospects for the future”
has been finalized with produced with a cost of 450,000 birr.
The magazine prepared in Amharic and English languages, narrates
Addis Ababa from historical, political, cultural, economic and social
sides. The publication of the French version of the magazine is
underway.2000 copies have been made ready and will be distributed
to the offices in the City Government.
And documentary film titled ‘Adey’ showing the tourism
and investment potentials of the city of Addis have been televised
for the public. The cost of production of this single documentary
is 75,000 birr. And 500,000 birr has been allocated for the production
of the other 10 documentaries.
DAHEZ- Djibouti Automobile
Heavy Equipment Zone project launched
By our staff reporter
Djibouti’s development plan and strategy to consequently
play a critical role in the economic growth of not only the east
African region but in the continent as a whole is taking shape in
big strides.
The recent decision to establish an ambitious automobile and heavy
equipment free zone near the Port of Doraleh is yet another icon
in the advancement of Djibouti’s plan to shortly become the
market place for all the demands of neighboring countries in the
hinterlands and further a field in the continent.
DAHEZ - Djibouti Automobile Heavy Equipment Zone – is set
to be a success as it would mean for most of Africa’s market
that is today dependant on Dubai to be directed to Djibouti. “It
would mean a cheaper and faster solution as it is nearby,”
says a car importer based in Ethiopia.
DAHEZ is a massive 570,000sqm. free zone project that is to be established
in Djibouti at PK 12, an area positioned near the new Doraleh-Balbala
road the principal road axis of the corridor. Construction is expected
to start in a month time. All types of vehicles both new and used
will be available.
A design has been presented to President Ismael Omar Guelleh on
Monday 3rd September 2007 by the initiators of the project as reported
by La Nation, Djibouti’s local newspaper. According to La
Nation the project is based on the customs agreement signed between
Djibouti’s Minister of Finance and Economy Mr. Ali Farah Assoweh
and the Executive Director of Dubai Customs Mr. Hamad Fadeil Al
Mazrooui, two month ago.
The construction project is expected to be completed in 18 months
time it is said.
The design of the free zone project includes 102 exhibition halls,
10 garages, and several hangars to be rented out to enterprises
in the automobile industry. The same applies to the 673 parking
lots and 680 others destined respectively for long and short term
parking.
In addition customers will benefit from other facilities such as
parking their own cars at the 572 spots made available for visitors.
They will also have easy access to the free zone’s administration
and the customs and vehicle registration offices. Other facilities
include a restaurant and a mosque with a capacity of 100 guests
and 200 worshippers respectively.
Comfort and security of the buyers are guaranteed in the design
of the auction halls where a maximum of 500 buyers can follow upon
the offers of the commission agents.
The first phase of the project which has an initial investment of
250 million dirhams, equivalent to 70 million US dollars, is said
to also include ultra modern offices for 200 automobile enterprises
within the free zone.
An extension is planned so as to double the capacity of the site;
a daring plan that Djibouti and Dubai reckon is possible. The project
is to be coordinated by Ahmed Osman Guelleh, the Managing Director
of Inchcape Shipping Services in Djibouti, part of the Istithmar
group, which is also affiliated to Dubai World.
Cadila eyes export to COMESA,
plant inaugurated
By Tedla Desta
Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ethiopia Plc (CPEL) plans to export its
products to COMESA states and other African countries from its plant
here in Ethiopia, I.A.Modi, Chairman of CADILA Pharmaceuticals Limited
said.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has 20
member countries and is seen by Cadila to be the interest area to
export.
He said this at the inauguration ceremony of the manufacturing plant
on 22nd September 2007 at Akaki near Addis Ababa. Minister of Trade
and Industry, Girma Birru, Gurjit Singh, the Ambassador of India
to Ethiopia, and Tewodros Adhanom Minister of Health, were present
on the occasion. VIPs including other ministers, Ambassadors, senior
government officials, Doctors and leading citizens were also invited.
CPEL is a joint venture between Cadila Pharmaceuticals (Ethiopia)
PlC of India and Almeta Impex PlC, Ethiopia.
The manufacturing facility has been approved by the Drug Administration
and Control Authority (DACA) and conforms to GMP standards. Located
at Akaki, near Addis Ababa, the plant will produce three dosage
forms tablet, capsules and liquids.
“The aim of this joint venture is to make a remarkable difference
in the lives of the Ethiopian people by providing them with healthcare
solutions of the highest quality at affordable prices and a guaranteed
supply, thus carving a distinct identity at all levels. It is also
hoped to export products to some of the nearby countries,”
it said in a statement.
Spread over 10,600 sq. meters, Cadila Pharmaceuticals (Ethiopia)
Plc is one of the few large pharmaceutical manufacturing plants
in the country.
The total cost of the project amounts to around US$ 10 mln and has
the capacity to manufacture 390 million tablets, 165 million capsules
and 1.44 million liters per year in three shifts of 8 hrs each.
CPEL mainly focuses on therapeutic areas such as Cardiovascular,
Anti Diabetes Gastroenterology (anti-acids, anti-ulcerative), Anti
Infective, Anti Depressants, Anti Fungal, Anti- TB, Anti Malarial,
Anti Retroviral, Anti-Amoebic, Haematinics, Anti Allergic, Pain
killers, Multi vitamins etc.
Today the total Pharmaceuticals market in Ethiopia is approximately
US$ 200 million and is growing at a rate of over 10% per annum.
Cadila India has a history of 56 years. Over the last five decades,
it has been developing and manufacturing pharmaceutical products
in India and selling and distributing them in India as well as in
50 other countries around the world.
An integrated healthcare solutions provider with pharmaceutical
product basket, it caters to over 45 therapeutic areas that include
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, analgesics, haematinics, anti-infectives
and antibiotics, respiratory agents, antidiabetics and immunologicals.
“Cadila India has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities
conforming to the most stringent international standards.
Cadila India’s present branded generic product portfolio comprises
of more than 1000 product registrations across continents. Its widespread
network of wholly owned subsidiary companies and marketing offices
is spread over 87 countries across America, Africa, Asia, Europe,
CIS and the Middle East.” The Chairman said.
The Ethiopian venture, Almeta Impex PlC has long been in pharmaceuticals
import/distribution, FMCG, Floriculture and Horticulture.
Over the years, it has been functioning as the importer and distributor
of Cadila Pharmaceuticals products in Ethiopia.
Coinciding with the inauguration, Cadila Pharmaceuticals (Ethiopia)
Plc has also organized a Medical Seminar on the, “Management
of Cardiovascular Diseases -The Role of ACE Inhibitors & ARBs”
on September 22, 2007 at 6 pm at Sheraton Addis. Dr. Bekele Alemayehu,
Cardiologist- Black Lion Hospital & Medical College and Director
of Addis Cardiac Hospital, will chair the session. Dr. Samir Dani,
a leading cardiologist and Director - Cardiology Unit of Apollo
Hospital, Ahmedabad, India, is also to give a presentation on the
main theme of the seminar. A large number of cardiologists and physicians
from around the country are expected to participate in the seminar.
Nokia launches Amharic interface
phones
By Kirubel Tadesse
Nokia has introduced five new phones with Amharic features at
a ceremony held at Sheraton Addis on September 20, 2007.
The new Nokia products - Nokia 1200, 1208, 1650, 2630 and 2760 -
all have industry-leading features and applications such as flashlight,
music-on-the-go via FM radio and MP3-grade ring tones with an integrated
application that allows for a pre-set time limit to be determined
for each call. The new products are specifically designed for the
Ethiopian market and will be distributed by Glorious PLC.
Ashenafi Zeleke, Media Manager at Cactus Marketing and Advertising,
said that the new Nokia Amharic features will allow all Ethiopians
to use features of the phones in Amharic and in English as they
desire. He added, “We have already tested the Amharic text
message features in post paid mobile phones and they work perfectly.
We are now testing it to see how it does in the pre-paid phones
in cooperation with the mobile service provider in the country.
Since the new products have Amharic alphabets on their keypad, all
those who speak other local languages that can use Amharic alphabets
can use the text message and other features in their own language.”
During the ceremony, Tomi Poatsila, Vice President, mobile phones,
Middle East and Africa of Nokia, said that Nokia started putting
localized interface and other related features following rigorous
research including 77,000 interviews of consumers in Africans emerging
markets. He added, “One of the features we encountered was
that our customers wanted to see their phones having their local
language and that’s why we started making phones who speak
the local languages of our customers.” Nokia already speaks
Swahili, Tomi explains and now it speaks Amharic too.
“I think that ‘localization’ is the key word at
this event,” says Piotr Labuszewski, area manager for Nokia
East Africa. “Nokia is world renowned for being the global
leader in mobile phones, but it is only through understanding and
tailoring products for local consumers that we have managed to achieve
this. Not only are we launching five new devices, but all five are
equipped with an industry first in the Amharic keypad. Added to
this exciting launch, we are also gearing our local operations with
a new distributor and customer care center,” continued Labuszewski.
All handsets purchased from the authorized distributor and retailers
in Ethiopia carry a 12 month warranty.
“Nokia was the first handset manufacturer to launch local
languages in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Mozambique
and the launch of the Amharic-based device will further enhance
the convenience for the Ethiopian market. We have seen the benefits
of adding local languages across the continent and we expect similar
results here in Ethiopia,” concluded Labuszewski.
The Nokia 1200 and 1208 come equipped with features such as one-touch
flashlights, localised languages, a teaching mode that allows non-experienced
users to quickly learn how to master the phone, while a seamless
keypad protects the phone from dust, another reality of rural mobile
phone use. At a mere 9.9 mm, the Nokia 2630 is the thinnest handset
in Nokia’s portfolio. Complete with an easy-to-use camera
and combined with Bluetooth technology, the Nokia 2630 allows images
to be easily sent, shared, stored and printed. Convenient productivity
tools such as email, MMS, calendar and a calculator satisfy the
work side of life, while features such as an FM radio, with direct
access shortcut key and MP3 ring tones satisfy the entertainment
side. The Nokia 1650 answers the need for cost control that is especially
important in entry markets.
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation
and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries.
Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with
experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games
and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides
equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.
Hundreds here from Harlem
church
By Tedla Desta
More than 150 members of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem,
USA are on a two-week visit here in Ethiopia, the spiritual homeland.
The team has launched its program by visiting the Fasilledes Castle,
various churches and monasteries in north Gondar as well as the
Gondar Hospital located in the University of Gondar. The group is
currently visiting churches, historical sites and the Abay River
near Bahir Dar.
During the trip, leader of the Church, Mr. Butts is scheduled to
meet with dignitaries like Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church Patriarch, Abuna Paulos. Mr. Butts said he hoped
to return to New York with a clear assessment of the nation’s
needs, and to urge politicians in the United States to do what they
can to help.
For the rest of the group, the itinerary includes tours of revered
sites, like the Queen of Sheba’s palace and the Chapel of
the Tablet in Axum, where members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
believe the biblical Ark of the Covenant is kept. The journey will
also include visits to schools, museums and rock-hewn churches.
“I think we will all go back as better people,” said
one of the travelers, Doris Brunson last week. “As African
Americans, we really need to understand the importance of our source.
I think what we see will be beautiful and in some ways devastating,”
she added.
The two-week trip is part of the church’s 18-month-long bicentennial
celebration, which coincides with the observance of the Ethiopian
millennium.
Although the Abyssinian Baptist Church is now practically synonymous
with Harlem, its connection to Ethiopia goes back to the church’s
founding in 1808 by free blacks and Ethiopian merchant seamen who
refused to worship in churches where blacks and whites were segregated.
(Abyssinia is a historical name for Ethiopia.)
Today, the majestic church boasts a congregation of several thousand
and is one of the original African-American mega churches. It has
been led by a string of influential pastors, like Adam Clayton Powell
Sr.; his son, Adam Clayton Powell Jr.; and Mr. Butts, who has held
the post since 1989 and whose political endorsements are a sought-after
commodity.
Under Mr. Butts, the church formed a nonprofit group, the Abyssinian
Development Corporation, which has helped create housing and commercial
development in Harlem, including a supermarket, schools, homeless
shelters and apartments for low-income residents.
The purpose of the trip to Ethiopia, Mr. Butts said, is to forge
stronger spiritual, financial and perhaps political connections
with Ethiopia.
“When I speak with ministers and officials from Ethiopia,
and I ask them what their number one problem is, they tell me it
is poverty,” Mr. Butts said. “As much as I think that
we may have something to offer them, this is about sharing. Perhaps
they have some things they can teach us as well, because we definitely
can’t teach them about Jesus; they’ve known him longer
than we have,” he added.
Africa to finally join carbon
trade
By Andualem Sisay Nairobi Kenya
The International Center for Research and Agroforestry (ICRAF),
is going to kick off demonstration projects of Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM), of the Kyoto Protocol that allows for a carbon
market.
The center is to organize a consultative meeting with other partners
in Addis Ababa next Monday. This was indicated by Dr Louis V. Verchot,
Principal Ecologist of ICRAF in climate change and land degradation
at Kenya School of Monetary Study in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday
September 19, 2007.
“CDM is a failure for developing African countries,”
he said. He thinks that one of the reasons for African countries
not to use CDM so far like have India, China, and Brazil could be
due to their skepticism of neocolonialism. “CDM is all about
business, not aid,” he says.
CDM is a market-based mechanism that allows more flexibility for
Annex I Parties to meet their greenhouse gases emission targets.
Annex I parties include the industrialized countries that were members
of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
in 1992, plus countries with economies in transition (the EIT Parties),
including the Russian Federation, the Baltic States, and several
Central and Eastern European States.
Carbon being a tradable commodity, parties subject to emission targets
can purchase the carbon credits - or certified emission reductions
(CERs) - produced at lower costs in countries that do not have the
same emission restrictions, or can directly invest in CDM projects
in these countries in return for carbon credits.
The principle behind CDM is that the global benefit of reducing
carbon emissions is the same no matter where the action is taken.
Thus, it is believed to make economic sense to reduce emissions
where it is least expensive.
It is the only mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol that involves the
developing countries and was introduced during the Kyoto Protocol
conference in December 1997.
During his presentation on the need of carbon finance for Africa
in adapting to climate change, Dr Verchot stated that Africa used
less than 3 per cent of CDM so far.
Dr Louis V. Verchot, who briefed a dozen journalists gathered from
various African countries, strongly argued that climate change for
Africa is a development issue than just an environmental one.
ICRAF needs some 30 millon USD to launch the five demonstration
projects next year in various countries of Africa, of which it has
secured 3 million USD from the World Bank, Dr Louis V. Verchot told
Capital.
So far his center has chosen Kenya and Tanzania for the demonstration
project sites. And if the countries are interested, it is also planning
to include Ethiopia, Uganda and others.
Established in 1971, ICRAF is one of eighteen centers in the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and today consists
of an informal association of 41 public and private sector donors
supporting some 18 international agricultural research centers.
ERA to asses a decade’s
work
By Tedla Desta
The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) is evaluating its ten-year
performance in the road sector at a two day implementation conference
on September 24 and 25, 2007.
The purpose of the conference is to review the progress of RSDP
(Road Sector Development Program), which is expected to enable to
take stock of progress to date, assimilate lessons learned, and
redirect efforts to a more efficient implementation of Phase III
of the Program.
The RSDP II - 1997 -2007 - which is a culmination of the Government’s
effort, with significant support from the Government and donor community
and participation of local and international contractors, consultants
and suppliers was completed in June this year. The program is estimated
to cost Birr 12,898.9 million (US$ 1,482.6 million). The estimated
cost of the enhanced program (high scenario) for RSDP II is about
Birr 14,550 million (US$ 1,673 million); 13 % higher than the basic
program.
The Program undoubtedly created adequate capacity in the road sub-sector
and helped to restore the essential road network to an acceptable
condition.
The first phase of the Program was completed in June 2002 with implementation
of many components achieving increased momentum towards the end
of the Program.
“Since the year 1997, the Government has been diligently working
towards the achievement of the objectives laid down in the RSDP.
While much has already been achieved to-date, it is important to
build on these achievements and expand the infrastructure in order
to provide a springboard for economic development and poverty reduction.
It is with this background that the stakeholders agreed that the
investment and policy developments in the road sector need to be
continued since a partial implementation would fail to yield the
full potential benefits agreed among different stakeholders. That
means, without continuing investment in follow up on projects identified
for implementation, transport costs will remain high affecting all
economic sectors of the economy.” ERA said in its statement.
The focus of RSDP III (2007-2012) is, therefore, to continue the
momentum to achieve the road condition targets, as well as to reinforce
the process begun under RSDP and to provide a substantial level
of essential road infrastructure to the people, it added.
The first phase of the RSDP (RSDP I) ended in June 2002 with overall
physical implementation of 88 % of the Program as revised during
the RSDP I Mid-term Review with a corresponding disbursement rate
of 77 %. In total, Birr 7,115 million (US$ 818.0 million) has been
disbursed during RSDP I. “Judged against the established objectives
and benchmarks, the overall performance of RSDP I has been satisfactory,”
ERA asserts.
Balcha Hospital celebrates
60th anniversary
By Our Staff Reporter
Dejazmach Balcha Hospital one of the structural links to the national
public health system in Ethiopia celebrated its 60th anniversary
of establishment on Friday, September 21, 2007, at the Embassy of
the Russian Federation. Russian and other foreign diplomats and
prominent guests attended the event. High ranking Ethiopian officials
including FDRE President Girma W/Giorgis and State Minister of Health
Tewodros Adehanom had also been expected to extend.
The second half of the 19th century was a difficult time for Ethiopia.
In 1895 Italy showed open hostility towards Ethiopia without declaring
war, and Ethiopia had to defend itself from colonialists.
On 2 March, 1896 the famous Battle of Adwa took place where the
army of Menelik the 2nd defeated the Italian army. In this war about
45,000 Ethiopian soldiers were killed or badly wounded.
At that time, Russians collected money to organize medical aid for
the wounded sick. The first medical team of the Russian Society
of the Red Cross was sent to Ethiopia in 1896. Doctors of the medical
team worked in hard and unusual conditions. According to the data
of the Russian Society of the Red Cross, this team rendered medical
help to 14,000 wounded and sick Ethiopians and over 460 different
operations were performed by the team.
In a letter sent to Russia on 22 October, 1896, Menelik the 2nd
wrote; “ Now at such a time, the Russian state announced that
it’s sending us doctors from the Red Cross Society as a token
of our friendship. The work done by the Russian Red Cross doctors
is obvious to everyone in our country. The example you have set
has made a deep impression on the people of Ethiopia. Let friendship
between our countries advance and strengthen.”
Ethiopian farmers unprivileged for drought tolerant
maize
By Andualem Sisay/Nairobi, Kenya
A researcher at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
(CIMMYT) indicated that most Ethiopian farmers are still growing
an outdated maize variety, while there are new drought tolerant
maize varieties at Melkasa Agricultural Research Institute.
According to Dan Makumbi (PhD), Global maize program director at
CIMMYT, two weeks ago he witnessed that farmers are growing the
outdated maize variety, Katumani, which was released some decades
ago while there are new drought tolerant varieties such as Melkasa
IV, III and II.
“If these varieties were distributed to the farmers, they
would have been getting additional one to two tones per hectare,”
Dr. Makumbi told Capital after presenting a paper on how agriculture
research should help farmers to adapt to climate change, in Nairobi,
Kenya.
Although he has tried to find out why they have not still distributed
these new maize varieties so far, the people at Malkasa were unable
to give him a reasonable answer. He thinks that it is the result
of poor communication between the research center and the Ethiopian
Seed Enterprise that is in charge of distributing seeds to the farmers.
According to critics, the continent needs to raise production to
cope with population growth and climate change that will worsen
the situation.
An increase of temperature by one centigrade will end up in the
decline of 10 per cent agricultural outputs, according to A. Ashok
Kumar, Crop Improvement scientist at the International Crops Research
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.
As recently estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate
Change (IPCC), which gathers more than 2,000 scientists from around
the globe, global warming will hit crop yields of Africa hard if
nothing is done.
Last September’s IPCC report warns: “It is probably
too late to avoid some impacts in developing countries because about
one centigrade of warming is already noted in the climate systems.”
“If it is not kept below two centigrades, which currently
looks very unlikely to be achieved, up to 3.2 billion people will
face water shortages and up to 600 million will face hunger,”
it predicted.
Initiative deliberates on
unity and solidarity
By Tedla Desta
On the occasion of the Ethiopian Millennium, the Amen Ethiopia
Initiative Group has organized a ‘Journey of Hope’ and
a series of symposiums to promote ‘Peaceful Co-existence and
National Renewal’. The general theme of the series is: Peace,
Reconciliation and Co-existence in Ethiopia.
As part of this, Amen Ethiopia has held a deliberation entitled,
“towards a new millennium of unity and solidarity, in which
Ethiopia plays her rightful role in the African Renaissance,”
at the African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on September 18, 2007.
“Giving awareness to the nation peace to all stakeholders
with a final goal of developing peace, integrity and love and tolerance
is the aim of Amen,” Deacon Yohannes Assemu, Coordinator of
Amen in Addis Ababa told Capital.
The first event was a three-day symposium from 9-11 February 2007
in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, under the specific title: “Taking
Stock of the Ethiopian Situation and evaluating what can be done”.
The keynote speaker was Prof. Hizkias Assefa, an Africa-based international
specialist on conflict resolution with 25 years experience, who
addressed the question: ‘What does Reconciliation require...
in the Ethiopian situation?”
The second symposium took place in London on 28-29 April and in
Washington DC on 26- 27 May and provided an overview of the experts’
analysis of the first conference. The theme of the 2nd symposium
was: “Towards a Culture of Peace and Solidarity in Ethiopia.”
The venue of the 3rd symposium on July 7, 2007 was Delft, The Netherlands
and the theme presented was: “The Quest for Peace and Reconciliation
at the Turn of the Ethiopian Millennium, 28 July 2007”.
The Major Millennium Conference was aimed at promoting unity and
cooperation among different (religious and ethnic) communities,
facilitating that their positive energy contribute to national consolidation
and enable Ethiopia to play its rightful role in the African renaissance.
The impact of these exchanges is part of a wider issue of power
and human governance.
The transition from the twentieth century world of interdenominational,
inter-religious and inter-ethnic conflict, to a twenty first century
world of fraternity and brotherly cooperation of different communities
of faith and political and ethnic groups was foremost on the agenda.
“An honest multi-voiced approach to the past is essential.
A distinguished commentator on Ethiopian affairs wrote that understanding
the past is precisely putting oneself in the position of reclaiming
the conscious and rational control of our social and individual
lives. Many of the events and developments of present-day Ethiopia
appear incomprehensible because they are responses to deep unconscious
traumas, not to real interests. Unless these disturbances are brought
to light, our troubles will never end. International organizations
such as the United Nations and UNESCO’s have emphasized the
importance of an integrated approach comprising dialogue between
cultures and reconciliation based on the values of heritage in all
its forms, and sustainable development,” the Initiative said.
Ethiopia to sell hydro power
to Egypt
By Muluken Yewondwossen
The Ethiopian Electricity Power Corporation (EEPCO), wants to inter-connect
with African countries such as Egypt and Uganda, says Ato Miheret
Debebe Managing Director of EEPCO and Sinknesh Ejigu, Minister of
Mines and Energy on September 19, 2007 when opening the 9th annual,
East Africa Power Industry Convention and a three day exhibition
at Addis Ababa’s Hilton Hotel.
Minister Sinknesh Ejigu stated that the east African Heads of State
and electric utilities should work hard to ensure the power interconnection.
She added that as an integrated generation program, the government
has started to construct 4,000 km of transmission line expansion
network up to 400 KV, which includes regional interconnection projects.
“There are four projects under construction, Beles, Tekeze,
Gilgel Gibe 2 and Fincha with a total capacity of 3,100 M.W. These
projects will be commissioned by September 2008 with Gibe 3 to be
completed in 2011/12,” EEPCO Managing Director Miheret told
Capital.
The Ethiopia – Sudan 230 KV interconnection project of about
321 km and the Ethio-Djibouti 230 KV interconnection project of
280 km are projects which will be commenced by 2007 and commissioned
by the end of 2008. It was also learnt that the Ethio-Kenya interconnection
initiated by respective Heads of State is also on the fast track.
As part of the Nile Basin Initiative, Ethiopia also has an Eastern
Nile Power Trade investment program which includes Ethiopia, Sudan
and Egypt.
“The conference and exhibition has an objective of promoting
the power industry, power production and sector development program
of EEPCO to other east African countries,” said Mihret. He
further added that the future is one in which hydropower could be
traded and help to fight poverty.
There are more than 20 private companies participating in the exhibition,
engaged in the electric power sector. This is believed to be beneficial
for creating and maintaining networks with key players and decision
–makers in the east African power sector.
It was learnt at the conference that the African Development Bank
estimates financial requirement of more than 8 billion USD per year
for the power sector in Africa. Speakers also said that private
sector participation is very low in east Africa. Hence, the event
is considered to be a cost effective and efficient marketing tool
for companies wishing to have an active presence in the East African
region and offers an ideal environment for product testing or launching
new products and meeting important customers, distributors and agents.
Soil sensitivity in Kenya
By Andualem Sisay/Nairobi, Kenya
In one of the laboratories of the World Agroforestry Center (WAC),
in Nairobi Kenya, one man is sitting and grinding soil. He is preparing
a soil sample that came from a specific area which the center conducts
research on. For this cause, the center has been collecting various
kinds of dry soils from around the globe since 1989 in its huge
compound.
From South Africa to Australia, from Southeast Asia to Latin America,
different types of soil samples are brought to this laboratory.
Once the samples reach the center, each will be grinded, coded and
stored in a paper bag to be ready for the next process.
So far, the center has collected more than 60,000 soil samples.
The first room is crammed with samples of soils from different parts
of Kenya while the next room is filled with samples from around
the world.
The center receives these samples in various forms of delivery.
“Sometimes farmers bring us the soil samples,” says
Elvis Weullow, a senior Laboratory Technician at the center who
was briefing us during our visit to his laboratory on Friday, September
21, 2007.
Mostly, the soils are brought here by researchers with specific
study objectives. Biology students, soil physics, climate and agriculture
are among the major ones who conduct work on soils at the center.
The overall objective of their study on soil focuses on understanding
the chemical contents of soil found in a specific area and the crop
or vegetable best grown in it. “This research has also a great
significance for adapting to climate changes and sustainability
of the environment,” says Andrew M. Sila, a lecturer at the
University of Nairobi’s Department of Meteorology.
After being grinded and coded, the samples will be passed to what
is called Infrared (IR) spectroscopy electronic laboratory soil
analyzing equipment. This technology uses infrared light to assess
degraded soils more efficiently and map them better than ever before.
It then provides recommendations to governments and agricultural
and environmental institutions on how to improve depleted soils
and boost agricultural productivity.
For a person or institution that wants to get IR analysis using
this 80,000 euro equipment, the center charges half a USD per test,
according to Weullow, “When we install an infrared spectrometer
in a national laboratory, the farmers can do soil analysis for only
50 cents,” he says.
In addition to its application for soil analysis, the spectrometer
can be used by farmers for routine analysis of a wide range of agricultural
inputs and products, such as quality of organic manures and urban
wastes of seeds and fertilizers, feeds and fodder, food and water,
tea, coffee, spices and oils.
Now, using this IR technology, the center has begun a huge project,
integrated land management, which will enable it to quantify the
amount of carbon found around the great Lake Victoria.
“When we complete this study, the small-scale farmers in the
area will be able to get additional income by implementing carbon
trade of the 1997 Kyoto protocol,” says George Obanyi, Communication
Specialist at WAC.
Carbon trading refers to a mechanism of decreasing carbon emission
in the environment, obviously created by the north, by creating/investing
in the Southern hemisphere countries projects that reduce this emission
and save the continent from extremes of global warming: floods and
droughts.
DKT launches Sensation Coffee
By Our Staff Reporter
In an effort to expand the contraceptive and HIV-prevention options
available to Ethiopian consumers, DKT recently introduced a coffee-flavored
condom, Emebet Abu head of communications for DKT Ethiopia disclosed.
Branded under the name Sensation Coffee, the new condom will be
made available throughout the country over the coming months.
“Experience worldwide shows that condom use increases wherever
additional varieties are available,” Emebet says. “The
Coffee-flavored condom should help to increase condom use in Ethiopia.”
Sensation Coffee is manufactured by the Thai-Nippon company that
also produces the Blue Sensation condoms. The price of a packet
of three Sensation Coffee condoms is one birr as opposed to the
four pieces of blue sensation condoms one can purchase for the same
price. The head of communications further noted that the supply
of other condoms distributed by DKT will not be affected by the
introduction of the new flavored condom.
The introduction of Sensation Coffee follows DKT’s earlier
efforts to expand the Ethiopian condom market. In mid 2006, DKT
assumed distribution of French Feelings. There are banana, chocolate
and strawberry flavored French Feelings condoms.
Since its establishment in 1990, DKT has been an integral part of
the reproductive health/HIV-prevention landscape in Ethiopia. According
to the Federal Ministry of Health, DKT accounted for over 75% of
Ethiopia’s condom supply between 2002 and 2006.
Ethiopia: the only country
without community radio
By Our Staff Reporter
Ethiopia is the only country not to have a community radio among
all other African countries. This was emphasized at a workshop which
discussed community radio for civil society held at the Ghion Hotel
on September 21, 2007.
It was learnt that organizations who request certification from
the Broadcasting Authority must prove that, they are non-profitable
organizations funded by NGOs and/or civil society. The chairperson
of the Board of those organizations seeking certification must also
be selected by the community they hope to transmit their programs
to. If these criteria are met the Authority may issue a certificate
valid for 5 years.
Experience from other African countries shows that the community
radio is the best way to educate a society about economic development
, health and other social issues. However, civil society organizations
who want to engage in this media complained that the Authority is
not willing to issue certificates, even if they fulfill all the
criteria.
There are more than four community radios that want to establish
their own stations but the Authority has given a certificate to
just one, called the “Kore Community Radio”, which will
start broadcasting in the Amaro special Woreda located in the Southern
Nation and Nationality People Region.
Government and diaspora
Ethiopians confer
By Kirubel Tadesse
Opening the consultative meeting between Ethiopians in the diaspora
and senior government officials on development and investment issues
on Thursday September 20, 2007 at the Bole Millennium Hall, Seyoum
Mesfin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minster, said that the diaspora
can and should play a key role in the country’s development.
He urged Ethiopians and others of Ethiopian origin residing abroad
to renew their commitment and develop a positive outlook towards
creating a prosperous Ethiopia in the new millennium.
“The ongoing development and democratization process will
only be successful through ensuring full involvement of the public;
and all development strategies put in place in Ethiopia are based
on employing capacities of all development partners exhaustively,”
Seyoum said, and added that Ethiopians and those of Ethiopian origins
residing abroad are key partners to the ongoing development and
democratization process.
Accordingly, the minister stated that conditions through which Ethiopians
residing abroad could fully involve in the development of their
country are being facilitated. The government has designed and enforced
a proclamation which allows Ethiopians in the diaspora import their
belongings free of duty when they return to their homeland for good.
Putting in place directives and regulations that allow Ethiopians
to open forex accounts in local banks as well as to be engaged in
money transfer service are among the measures taken by the government
to encourage Ethiopians and those of Ethiopian origin residing abroad
take part in the economic development of their home country.
In a press statement that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made after
the meeting, Acting Director of Diaspora Affairs General Directorate
in the Ministry, Demeke Atenafu said that over 4,500 Ethiopians
living abroad attended the consultation meeting exceeding the set
target by 1,500.
The majority of the participants expressed their satisfaction for
having held such a discussion and affirmed their commitment to contribute
to the success of the country’s economic development and poverty
reduction strategy, Demeke explained.
“Over 95 percent of questions raised by the participants focused
on development and investment issues,” he said, “this
indicates that citizens are keen to take part in the country’s
development endeavors.”
Demeke said the government is planning to organize similar discussion
forums among Ethiopians residing abroad through its embassies. The
government will do its best in ensuring national consensus on national
issues, he concluded.
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