USAID launched the forth land government activity project for urban and rural land. It will remain until 2024.
The new project surveys land information analysis of the land management registration process, utilization of land management system, gathering of pilot areas related to land, Information with the latest technology and efficient production methods.
LGA supports merging the rural and urban land administration functions and services and strong organizational structure amendments.
This project is expected to accomplish the implementation of transparent and sustained integrated land governance systems, establish an operational system for the urban land information system, strengthening the government’s ability to have a strong land information system and policy, through unified land administration roles, setting a land data exchange framework between the public and the government. This could lead to an innovative data and system infrastructure with unified systems platform organizational structures.
Ethiopia’s land governance policy enhances the efficient land administration service and utilization of land, recognition of property rights by introducing a secured and sustained property registration system.
USAID has been working with land tenure and property rights in Ethiopia since 2004.
In the past three projects are lots of assessments has been identifies; the need for awareness on land users on the rights and obligation of the owners, capacity building, georeferenced parcel map and computerized register, Including policy formulation, land legislation, decision making in rural land governance programs.
The old organizational structure of the national, regional and woreda city level, a decentralized database for transferring data at the regional level and federal level are other challenges to developing scalable approaches to adjudicate, demarcate register and certify pastoral landholding and support participatory land-use planning by supporting pastoral institutions in the areas of pastoral regions mainly Oromia, Somalia, and Afar.
The land system is classified within registered (permit hold, state hold and leased hold) and unregistered (non-formal, informal and encroachment).
The new project will help strengthen the institutionalized system for efficiency to land acquisition facilities, access to land for the farmers and safe human settlement, environmentally friendly and gender-responsive, infrastructural development, local service centers land banks and land tribunals.
USAID supports land survey, consultancy
EU film festival through Nov 24
The 32nd edition of the European film festival opened at VAMDAS entertainment and cinema, on November 14 and will remain until November 24. This year’s festival will show 21 selected films which reflects European arts, culture and history of 20 participant countries from the European Union. Azerbaijan, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, UK, Turkey will feature films. Others are selected by the EU delegation for the African Union.
One local film has been selected for closing day, ‘Running Against the Wind’ Jan Philipp Weyl’s Oscar nominated film was chosen as a perfect illustration of creative interaction between Europe and Ethiopia. Selected short movies made by Addis Ababa university school of fine art students will also be presented.
The European film festival was hosted by the EU delegation as part of the European External Action Service’s network of diplomatic missions and offices in third countries, implements the EU Global Strategy and other key foreign and security policies in close collaboration with the Member States of the EU. The festival is one of the frameworks for promoting cultural relations by increasing awareness of the EU, its institutions and its programs between Ethiopia and the European Union.
NOBLE CAUSE, NOBEL PRIZE
By Getachew Beshahwred
Since the sudden and unexpected rise of a young member of the ruling party, Dr Abiy Ahmed, to the position of Prime Minster, Ethiopia has gone through a lot of phases within a short period of time.
The first phase was EUPHORIA, Uncontrollable Euphoria both at home and abroad. The excitement was huge and an unprecedented. There were huge demonstrations in support of the Prime Minister. There was huge expectation for the country. Almost everyone was filled with pride and hope. May be, we all hoped, that the country and its people after the years of hunger, death and torment, were now on the doorsteps of peace, freedom and prosperity. The ethnic division which was the bedrock of the former government’s political philosophy would be consigned to the ashes of history and would never raise its ugly and dangerous head again, we thought. The election of a young charismatic, educated leader from the Oromo party supported by the other main ethnic party representing the Amhara region was, we thought, a good Omen. In fact, both the Amhara and the Oromo people and their leaders worked hand in hand to bring about this change.
The Prime Minister did not disappoint either. He made excellent speeches and promising policy declarations and ambitions. He released political prisoners and allowed opposition parties and their leaders to return home without any preconditions (that may be the ‘beginning’ of the current problems) and re-established press freedom. He also brought about peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea and opened the border between the two countries, mainly for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This is a considerable achievement.
The second phase was DOUBT: The appointment of females to 50% of the cabinet positions, the elevation of women to the presidency of the country and of the Supreme Court and the chairmanship of the National Election Board were ground breaking. However, there were no major policy announcements, decisions or proclamations that would address the huge economic, political and social problems facing the country. Opposition parties and leaders and in some cases their armies which were allowed to enter the country, apparently without any preconditions, and self-appointed groups and ‘leaders’ were not fully challenged when they roam around the country spreading lies, fear and terror amongst the community. The free press was used by some to propagate hate and lies about the history of the country, its people and its leaders. So called experts and so-called professors were seen spreading falsehood on national TV, radio and newspapers.
“If you are emotionally attached to your tribe, religion or political leaning to the point that truth and justice become secondary considerations, your education is useless. If you cannot reason beyond petty sentiments, you are a liability to mankind.” (Dr Chuba Okadingbo).
This brought back the old racial tension. Hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes and so many lost their lives. Houses, business premises, and churches were burnt to the ground and in some cases local governments were part of the problem and the central government seems to be a bystander. This culminated in the huge disaster in the Amhara region which led to the Killings of its president and other leaders.
The same people who were excited with the prospect of peace, security and prosperity were now bewildered. The government was powerless to stop the violence against some of its people. This vacuum created a huge opportunity for self-appointed leaders and groups. This was a phase of doubt. But many still hoped that the PM and his government have plans which they have not yet told us, to deal with the serious problems facing the country. All are still waiting for that plan with hope and doubt.
The third phase: DOUBT & OPPOSITION
This is the current phase. Many of the same people who came out in support of the young prime minister are now on the opposite side, mainly not because of what he or his government did but because of what they did not. The government and parliament did not address the security and constitutional issues that could lead to the breakup of the county. In the worst possible scenario, it could lead to a civil war from which no one can come out a winner. This conflict, unless fully and properly dealt with, could lead to what is equivalent to ‘self-assured Mutual Destruction.’
This tension and disorder is created and promoted by few individuals and groups with their own agendas and who are supported by other, domestic and foreign groups, with their own agendas. These groups’ and individuals’ actions and words have in some cases led to the destruction of lives and property. Press freedom comes with press responsivity. If this freedom is abused and resulted in the loss of freedom and in some cases lives of others, the culprits should be held to account for their actions.
“Today we live in a society in which spurious realities are manufactured by the media, by governments, by big corporations, by religious groups, political groups (and individuals)… So I ask, in my writing, What is real? Because unceasingly we are bombarded with pseudo-realities manufactured by very sophisticated people using very sophisticated electronic mechanisms. I do not distrust their motives; I distrust their power. They have a lot of it. And it is an astonishing power: that of creating whole universes, universes of the mind. I ought to know. I do the same thing.” Philip K. Dick (Writer)
“Whoever controls the media, controls the mind.” Jim Morrison (singer and song-writer)
The first duty of a government is the security of the country and its people and inaction cannot be an alternative, and delay in this case is the worst choice. It has to be dealt with now.
“There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.” (John F Kennedy)
The government should denounce, in the strongest possible terms, the individuals and groups responsible, for the carnage they created and instruct law enforcement agencies to take swift legal actions. The security forces should enforce the law and protect people and property from destruction. They should protect the country. That is their duty.
The government and parliament should be bold in their approach to amend the constitution and should at least immediately start public conversations, discussions and consultations. The move to change EPRDF into one national party is to be welcomed and other ethnic parties should follow suit and take themselves out of the ethnic based party system. Addis Ababa, should not really be an issue. Addis Ababa is the Capital City of Ethiopia and it belongs to all Ethiopians. This should not have been an issue at all. This is one problem deliberately created and left for us by the previous government. The city should be led by elected representatives and an elected Mayor as stipulated in the law. Any attempt to gerrymander any future elections, though tempting, should be resisted by all since any doubt on the results of an election could result in more uncertainty, tension and even more violence. This has to be settled soon. Addis Ababa is not only the capital city of Ethiopia but also of Africa. Despite repeated attempts by other African leaders to take away this honour to another African City, all past governments, including EPRDF, have successfully fought for Addis to remain the capital city of Africa. Other international organisations, as a result of this status, have offices and branches in Addis, which has opened up employment opportunities in addition to its considerable impact on the country’s foreign currency earnings. A capital city whose status is not settled and is rather a source of conflict cannot attract foreign interest and investment for itself and the country. In the United Kingdom, there are three devolved governments (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and England. London which is likely to be the capital city of any future devolved English Government, is the Capital of the United Kingdom; and England does not have a special claim over the city. London belongs to and is managed by Londoners , through its directly elected mayor and 32 borough councils and the City of London, ‘which provide the majority of day-to-day services for their local residents, including education, housing, social services, environmental services, local planning and many arts and leisure services.’
The final phase: FEAR OF THE FUTURE AND STILL HOPE: Unless the government is bold and wise enough, the current situation could lead to an armed conflict between ethnic groups and regions which could lead to a civil war and the destruction of Ethiopia as we know it, from which no one can come out a winner. Nobody wants that. However, the current state of play could lead to this last and destructive phase. The prime minister, in the last few months, made excellent speeches at the National Palace, the millennium hall and the National Parliament, etc. It should now be followed and supported by swift legal action against those who orchestrated this violence and destruction.
The government should address the security, ethnic and constitutional issues that were created by the same ruling party before it is too late.
The government has embarked upon a vast array of economic programs including the possible privatisation of some of the biggest publicly held companies. The objective is to attract foreign investors to the country. However, unless the security issue is addressed and fully settled this economic development plan would be in jeopardy. No investor would be willing to risk his money in an area and a country where lives, buildings, factories and premises would be at the mercy of uncontrollable mobs. Already even current investors are holding back on future investments and it would be difficult to attract new investors under current circumstances. Let us save our people and country first. The rest would then be easier.
The Award of the Nobel Prize, which in my opinion, is well deserved should not be taken to be just about past achievements. It is also about the future. This should give the Prime Minster more determination and energy to bring about unity, peace and security to the country of more than 110 million people. The international community is behind him. Despite the fear and doubts the Ethiopian people are behind him. We all want him to succeed, because his success is our success, his prize is our prize. Ethiopia and its people are the Nobel Peace Prize winners and now they have to live up to its standards. The world expects no less! Alfred Nobel expects no less!
Getachew is the Managing Director of GB & Co Limited, Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants, London. He can be contacted at getachew@gbandco.co
Reimagining capitalism
Continued from last week.
Concerning tax issue, a group of supper rich American businessmen including investor George Soros, Facebook’s co-founder Chris Hughes, and Molly Munger, daughter of billionaire Charlie Munger recently wrote an open letter stating that “America has a moral, ethical and economic responsibility to tax our wealth more,” The group said in their open letter that “A wealth tax could help address the climate crisis, improve the economy, improve health outcomes, fairly create opportunity, and strengthen our democratic freedoms. Instituting a wealth tax is in the interest of our republic.”
As reported on BBC, among the 18 signatory of the “Open Letter” were a descendant of Walt Disney and the owners of the Hyatt hotel chain. Many in the group have been associated with progressive initiatives on issues such as climate change and the growing wealth gap. The letter pointed out that fellow billionaire Warren Buffett has said he is taxed at a lower rate than his secretary.
Fresh off pondering the future of billionaires, Bill Gates recently went on Stephen Colbert’s eponymous show with his wife, Melinda, to a crescendo of cheers. In accepting his new role as the world’s second-richest person, he quipped, “We’re trying to give it away faster” and the audience swooned. From their call for higher taxes on the superrich to the obligations of the successful to the empowerment of women, the applause kept coming. By the end, Stephen Colbert was playfully goading the Gateses to run for political office.
Compare that with Amazon. Its founding Chairman, Jeff Bezos worth over 130 billion dollar (at least until his divorce settles), and Amazon is worth $800 billion. Why extract a measly 3 billion dollar in corporate welfare from New York? In the truest Friedman sense: because he has shareholders – and he could.
Naomi Klein, the well known author of “The Shock Doctrine” stated that the dueling reactions underscore an American truth as timeless as Astor and Cooper and Rockefeller: Americans expect their meritocratic royalty to remain accountable to the public that helped create them. Traditionally, that means philanthropy, an aspect of extreme success (there are now 137 deca-billionaires in the world) that no longer feels optional, albeit one that still engenders cynicism. Says Gates: “The attack that ‘Why should you even have a say in setting the agenda?’ That has a certain resonance to it.” For Bill Gates, who within our lifetime will likely be regarded as the greatest philanthropist ever, accountability starts with framing the role: “picking novel ideas” or “off-the-wall theories,” as he says, and then proving that the concepts work, or don’t, taking the kinds of risks that no taxpayer-funded government or shareholder-dependent corporation could justify.
But in this era, Gates also recognizes that motives will be questioned. “If we come and improve math class, then people are like, ‘Hey, you didn’t do the band ” Bill Gates says. For this reason, Gates tries to hold himself publicly accountable through transparency, including a public letter from the foundation that he and Melinda write each year. It’s also the driving reason for the Giving Pledge, in which 189 of the world’s wealthiest people have affirmed, for all to see, that they will give away at least half of their fortunes, most much more.
A Giving Pledge signatory, Salesforce founder Marc Ben¬i¬off has similarly shifted from anonymous giving to putting his name on two hospitals, in part to be a role model for emerging tech billionaires and in part because “it sent a message that we’re supporting the community in a tangible way.” And he does the same thing with his company, which pioneered a “1, 1, 1” model that placed 1% of the company’s equity in a trust, along with a pledge to donate 1% of its software products and 1% of his 35,000 employees’ time to volunteer work. It’s a combination that’s generated $260 million in grants and 3.8 million hours for civic causes.
Paul Collier who author of “The Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties” stated that rather than rely on such voluntary munificence, Paul Tudor Jones, an American investor, hedge fund manager, and philanthropist who cut his philanthropic teeth founding the innovative Robin Hood Foundation in New York, has focused for the past several years on holding corporate America directly accountable for better capitalism. He founded Just Capital, which has surveyed more than 80,000 Americans in order to get a precisely calibrated take on what makes a good corporate citizen.
America’s older workers, it turns out, aren’t so different from its youngest, desiring companies to pay and treat their employees well, put out good products that have integrity, and care about the environment and the community. Just Capital ranks every major public company across its 36 criteria, from best to worst, proffering a Good Housekeeping-like seal to the top companies, in order to spur better corporate citizenry. Such remedies are urgent. “Unless we find a market-based solution to the exponential growth in inequality, we will end up with populist legislation that creates a hammer to go after every nail,” Paul Tudor Jones says.
Johan Norberg, the author of “In Defense of Global Capitalism” asserted that the great majority of American billionaires acknowledged that higher taxes on the billionaire set are inevitable; most even saw them as beneficial, if correctly applied. According to Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and others, the correct way to levy taxes on the superrich is at a transaction point. Either an estate tax without the loopholes that currently render it useless or a higher capital gains tax applied only on extreme fortunes, to avoid suppressing growth.
And better yet, the tax code can be refined to encourage growth and spread it around more evenly. The launch of opportunity zones, engineered by the Facebook and Spotify billionaire Sean Parker, has already been put in motion, offering tantalizing tax breaks in needy areas of all 50 states. Adjusting corporate tax rates based on jobs created – more jobs, lower taxes – is another worthy idea.
The eternal beauty of the free market is its ability to evolve. Leave it to the most admired capitalist in the world, Warren Buffett, who has lived through more than one third of this country’s history and who bought his first stock in 1942, at a moment when it was conceivable the United States could lose World War II, to make a prediction: “The luckiest person that will ever be born in the world to date will be a baby being born in the United States today.” Bet against Warren Buffett, and capitalism, at your peril.
