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When Does the Development Aid Work in Africa? Lessons from the Ireland Aid in Sidama, Ethiopia: Part I

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Dr. Wolassa Kumo 1.Introduction: the Failure of the Conventional Aid Model The micro and macroeconomic impacts of development aid in Africa has become one of the most contentious issues for decades now. The recent path breaking book "Dead Aid" by Dambisa Moyo, an Oxford/Harvard economist, has shaken the foundation of the development aid model and stirred up the debate whether aid does in fact help to reduce poverty and increase economic growth in poor African countries.   Moyo (2009) argues that although in the past fifty years Africa received more than $1 trillion in development related assistance from rich countries, poverty rates continue to escalate and growth rates have steadily declined. "Between 1970 and 1998, when aid flows to Africa were at their peak, poverty in Africa rose from 11% to a staggering 66%" and that " roughly 600 million of Africa's billion people are now trapped in poverty". Moyo would admit that aid has done some good on a

CPJ: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt Among Worst Journalist Jailers

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Marthe van der Wolf December 18, 2013 ADDIS ABABA   — The New York-based   Committee to Protect Journalists   says Eritrea, Ethiopia and Egypt have the highest number of imprisoned journalists on the African continent. The three countries are also on the worldwide top-ten list of worst journalist jailers. A new survey released Wednesday by the Committee to Protect Journalists indicates 34 African journalists are in jails in northeast Africa. Tom Rhodes, the group’s East Africa representative based in Nairobi, says the Horn of Africa is particularly problematic because the governments there do not tolerate dissent. “I think they have been on this list year-in, year-out simply because of the governments’ lack of tolerance towards any kind criticism. Every time a reporter reports something critically, they throw them in jail,” he said. WATCH: CPJ Video East African Journalists in Exile   In Ethiopia, seven of the 34 journalists are in jail.  But the government here insists th

Calls to re-open Ethiopian adoption program

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A group of families involved with the now-defunct adoption program with Ethiopia claim they were duped by Australia's former government. By   Kerri Worthington   Source   World News Australia Radio UPDATED YESTERDAY 6:44 PM (Transcript from World News Australia Radio) The families say they were told no children had been referred for inter-country adoption at the time of the program's closure in June 2012. But, as Kerri Worthington reports, several families on the waiting list to adopt a child from Ethiopia say evidence has come to light that shows the program was shut under false pretences. (Click on audio tab above to hear full item) Families affected by the former Labor government's closure of the Ethiopian Australian Inter-country adoption program are hoping the Coalition government will reverse the decision. They say documentary evidence confirms that at least ten Ethiopian children had been referred to the inter-country adoption

Mandela’s Message to Ethiopia’s Youth: Never give up…!

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By Alemayehu g mariam Africa’s Wise Lion and Ethiopia’s Restless Cheetahs—Never give up and keep on trying to build your Beloved Ethiopian Community! December 15, 2013. It is the saddest day of the year for me. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was finally interred with state honors in Qunu, a small rural village in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. He spent the “happiest days” of his life there as a shepherd. He returned to Qunu after a long life, a long imprisonment and a long walk to freedom to join his  ancestors. The young shepherd of Qunu returned to his final resting place as the revered, loved and respected shepherd of his people.  I bid him farewell.  May he rest in eternal peace! December 15, 2013. It is the happiest day of the year for me. I am just outside Washington, D.C. at a town hall meeting to welcome Semayawi (Blue) Party and its young Chairman Yilikal Getnet. I am here to celebrate Ethiopia’s dynamic and striving young people; to honor them and demonstrate

Ethiopian Commodity Exchange to Go Online

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The Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) is making preparation to introduce online trading and establish Remote Trading centers in multiple locations across the country. The ECX is continuing on its work of easing the process of commodity transaction and facilitating an improved access to information for market players. This undertaking is expected to bring an enhanced efficiency and increased liquidity as it would allow participation in the commodity transaction process without the need to be physically present at the trading floors of the ECX. The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) is forwarding USD 2.2 towards the total cost of USD3.8, the balance of which will be covered by the Ethiopian government. During a visit of the ICF's Board of Trustees to the headquarters of the ECX, the CEO, Ato Anteneh Assefa said "with the implementation of the Online Trading System, the ECX will become more accessible to its stakeholders, especially the millions of small holder farm