Improving agriculture, improving lives
The second national Agricultural Technique and Vocational Education and Trainings (ATVET) conference was held in Adama and consisted of discussions with schools and the Agricultural Transformation through Stronger Vocational Education (ATTSVE) project.
https://www.capitalethiopia.com/capital/improving-agriculture-improving-lives/

Djibouti reduces visa fees
Djibouti, which wants to expand its tourism economy, has slashed visa fee for visitors.
The decree of the Ministry of Budget of Djibouti indicated that the revised visa fee was classified into three categories, from about USD 11 to 168 depending on the duration.
https://www.capitalethiopia.com/capital/djibouti-reduces-visa-fees/

Chamber calls for businesses to work for peace
The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (AACCSA) has called on the business community to help strengthen peaceful coexistence and support reform.
At a press conference the city chamber leaders said that unemployment, income and lack of development are sources of instability but that they can be solved by a major private sector intervention.

https://www.capitalethiopia.com/capital/chamber-calls-for-businesses-to-work-for-peace/

Changing educational narratives
Lebawi International Academy announced last week that it has decided to run a commercial school while maintaining many scholarships. After five successful years of full scholarships, Lebawi will admit competent students for the coming academic year. The school was established in 2013 with a goal of developing an Ethio-centric curriculum.
https://www.capitalethiopia.com/capital/changing-educational-narratives/

Private sector event stresses new hope
The government is looking at the private sector as instrument for the continuation of economic growth by public financing projects.
The private sector’s role in the public private partnership was assessed at an event held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private arm, and partners.
https://www.capitalethiopia.com/capital/private-sector-event-stresses-new-hope/

Youssouf elected as PACCI president

The leadership of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) elected Youssouf Moussa Dawaleh, last Friday as its new president, replacing Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso I from Ghana, whose tenure expired. Friday’s successful election was hard fought with four Chamber of Commerce leaders vying for the presidency.
https://www.capitalethiopia.com/capital/youssouf-elected-as-pacci-president/

Nutrition-sensitive agricultural service becomes accessible
The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) and Save the Children in Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to use the 8028 Farmers’ Hotline in order to deliver nutrition-sensitive agricultural messages.
https://www.capitalethiopia.com/capital/nutrition-sensitive-agricultural-service-becomes-accessible/

More palm oil importers approved
The Minister of Trade and Industry is selecting additional palm oil importers through the respective regional trade and industry office and the two City Administrations.
The new directive has been sent to the respective trade and industry offices to select the potential importers based on strict criteria.
https://www.capitalethiopia.com/featured/more-palm-oil-importers-approved/

FBI questions AG’s pause of tax investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the Federal Police says they oppose the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) decision to freeze an ongoing investigation of 33 grade one contractors. In a letter written to the OAG’s Economic Crimes Department, police stated that the order will affect police operations.
https://www.capitalethiopia.com/featured/fbi-questions-ags-pause-of-tax-investigation/

Procurement delays cut wheat flour supply by 50 percent
A delay in a two million ton procurement from abroad is harming the supply of wheat and wheat flour for the nation’s bakeries and flour companies.
Bakeries which were receiving 168,000 quintals under normal circumstance are now getting less than 83,000 quintals.
https://www.capitalethiopia.com/featured/procurement-delays-cut-wheat-flour-supply-by-50-percent/

A Great Day!

“Let, us, here and now, agree upon the basic instrument which will constitute the foundation for the future growth in peace and harmony and oneness of this continent.” HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I, 25 May 1963


Today, 10 February 2019, the African Union (AU) unveiled the approximately 2.5 meter high bronze statue of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie, a Founding Father of the African Union and world renowned statesman; amongst the myriad accolades bestowed on the Emperor, affectionately called Ababa Janhoi. The commission for the iconic art work was granted to Addis Ababa University, Alle School of Fine Art and Design by the Government of Ethiopia, with artist and academician extraordinaire Professor Bekele Mekonnen at the helm. According to Art School Director, Agegnehu Adane, the statue was entrusted to the Art School to design and create, all done within seven months. It is fitting if not a wonderful irony that the Art School, inaugurated by the Majesty sixty years ago will fulfill the mandate agreed to by Member States of the AU.

The unveiling ceremony has a list of invitees including the Imperial Family, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I Memorial Association and the Ethiopian World Federation, active proponents for this recognition. Other invitees are diplomats and dignitaries from the Continent and the world, all wishing to pay homage to The Majesty for His significant role as an advocate for African unity. However, it is the fact that the unveiling has been positioned on the first day of the AU General Assembly, during the mid-morning opening session, where 55 Heads of State are represented, that is most significant and indeed fitting.

The decision taken to build and erect the statue, was initiated by the President of Ghana H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo based on the historic relationship between President Nkrumah and the Emperor, who shared the vision of African unity. H.E. Nkrumah, during a State visit in 1960 for HIM to Accra said, “I cannot express in words adequate to the occasion, the emotions and feelings aroused in the breast of every Ghanaian which your visit has invoked. Ethiopia in our minds stood or freedom, African independence, African dignity and African self-respect.” This sentiment spoke volumes then and is relevant for the occasion today. So as H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo is joined by Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed; AU Chairperson, President Paul Kagame and AU Commission Moussa FAki Mahamat to unveil the statue we are reminded by The Majesty’s words, “Today, we look to the future calmly, confidentially and courageously. We look to the vision of an African not merely free but united… . History teaches us that unity is strength. This conciliatory and cautionary excerpt is engraved on the grey cultured marble foundation surrounding the stone pedestal, on which the statue sits, accented with malachite stones. This new and overdue focal point on the AU Compound will see an inauguration, enshalla, when the AU Summit and all the traffic and security details attached to said have subsided, allowing for the People of Ethiopia who longed for this day and all others to join in an august occasion fit for the King of Kings. This in mind, I close with the words of the AUC Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Kwesi Quartey who states, "This is Africa's diplomatic capital and a symbol of Pan-Africanism. We extend our appreciation to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as well as the good people of Ethiopia for their commitment to the AU."

Note: There was “…so much thing to say right now..” in the words of Bob Marley that I had to write this short column.