ANALYSIS
By Tsegay Hagos
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the history of gold extends back at least 6,000 years; the earliest identifiable, realistically dated finds had been made in Egypt and Mesopotamia 4000 BC. Egyptian wall reliefs from 2300 BC show gold in various stages of refining and mechanical working. During those ancient times, gold was mined from alluvial places. That is, particles of elemental gold were found in river sands. The gold was concentrated by washing away the lighter river sands with water. It was done leaving behind the dense gold particles, which could then be further concentrated by melting.

When we come to the Ethiopian context, gold has been associated with the Ethiopian culture and way of life for several centuries. Historical manuscripts indicate that gold was used for many purposes during the Axumite Empire. The great Empire of Axum forged silver into jewellery, pots and other decorative objects. Archaeological findings revealed that great number of gold coins and luxurious items have been found in the Empire's capital, Axum and its Red Sea port of Adulis.

During the height of the Axumite Empire (2nd century), three types of coins were minted; gold coins for international markets engraved in Greek, silver coins (mainly) for regional and local markets, and bronze coins that circulated locally. The other luxurious items were exported to the then strong nations such as Greek, Rome, India and China. The Axumite Empire had been conducting business transactions using gold coins as well. The artefacts discovered by archaeological excavations show that gold was used among the nobility and wealthy people of that time.

In the 18th and 19th century, gold used to serve as currency, ornament for kings and church dignitaries. The Ethiopian Orthodox community often employed skillful goldsmiths who could contribute various golden handicraft items. To anoint kings following the adoption of Christianity in Ethiopia, facilitated by the clergy royal crowns were created by court goldsmiths. Ethiopian goldsmiths were famed for creating eye-catching ornaments and beautiful decorative objects in the Horn of Africa. Though gold has a long years of history, it is still seen as a source of pride, beauty, wealth and self-esteem in the minds of many Ethiopians. Moreover, its ornamentation role is extremely massive. It is normal to see beautiful Ethiopian women decorated with gold rings, earnings and bracelets throughout the country.

Teklu Desta Jewelry Owner and Manager Petros Teklu runs his company in the centre of Addis, commonly known as Piazza. He told The Ethiopian Herald that he has been engaged in goldsmith profession for the last 42 years. The 65 years old company was bequeathed to him by his late father in 1968 E.C.

The cultural value and social acceptance of gold are still invaluable in Ethiopia. Goldsmiths buy the gold from National Bank of Ethiopia, the authorized organ to collect gold reserves from producers. Petros said the people buy gold mainly for ornamentation and for saving asset. He buys the gold inputs after confirming their legality looking at their ID card and other necessary documentations. Then, he prepares the payment voucher.

"The society has high affinity for gold. Gold could be given as a gift to loved ones. It could be gifted to people at graduation ceremonies, child baptism, weddings, engagements, awards and recognition and diplomatic relations," he added. The gold quality starts from 18 carat, being checked by international gold quality standards. The 18 carat gold which is mixed of silver and bronze would be distributed among the goldsmiths for jewellery preparation. After that it will be forged into jewellery and becomes ready to market.

According to Petros, women are more prone in buying gold than any segment of the society. Even if its price fluctuates from time to time, the current price of one gram gold is 1150 birr, which is exorbitant for the common people. The soaring price of gold concerns goldsmiths like Petros as most people will not dare to purchase gold in the face of prices ever getting expensive. "I wish for a price fall so that everybody will buy gold at an affordable price."

It is clear that items forged in gold may well contain traditional liturgical theme, such as the tsirur (earnings), dinble (pendant) and the ball shaped as 'yegabcha kelebet' (wedding ring), traditionally worn by women of Tigray, among others. Petros insisted that Ethiopian women look extremely beautiful wearing gold ornaments and traditional clothing. When the gold ornaments worn on forehead, finger, neck and other parts of the body, the women would have stunning beauty. It is common for rings, too small for fingers, to be strung around the neck, together with pendants. The ensemble accentuates the wearing of costumes made of cotton 'yebeal qemis' (Sunday best or dress) and shema (shawl) worn during religious festivals, wedding ceremonies, public holidays, and other social occasions. In all respects, the ornamentation and clothing unmistakably grace and dignify the quintessential Ethiopian woman.

Ayele Demsew owns a jewellery shop in Merkato, called the largest open-air market in Africa. He told The Herald that Ethiopians are highly gold obsessed people. Gold is associated with the culture and way of life of the society in every corner of the country, he said.

"Gold is the most precious and lasting gift or keepsake that we want to present for our families and friends. If you give them money, they could spend it. But if you present them gold jewellery as a gift, they will keep it so as to remember the person who presented them," Ayele Added.

Expressing another advantage of gold, the goldsmith noted some people hoard gold to prevent the depreciation of their money. Therefore, they may buy gold and save it in banks to use it during rainy days.

Tsigereda Kahsay was born in Tigray State, northern Ethiopia. She told The Herald that most of the time, husbands present gold to their wives to express their love and affection. "Gold is given as a compensation while brokering peace between quarreled husbands and wives. If proved offenders, husbands are also obliged to pay gold as means of punishment if their marriage could not be revitalized."

"Ethiopian women are highly eager to possess gold ornaments. They believe it will help them win respect from the society when they get a chance of adorning themselves with such decorations and display their gold possessions seizing public holidays as a chance. That's why buying jewellery to one's bride was mandatory in the previous generations," she added.

Ethiopia has rich and untapped cultural history, which could be traced back to the days of yore. The mosaic beauty of its nations, nationalities and peoples by itself proves a huge tourism potential that should be utilized properly. The Ethiopian people's dressing style, food, language and culture attract many tourists from around the world. The public holidays like Mesqel, Ed Alfetir and Timket serves forums for exhibiting the glamorous culture of Ethiopians. Also tourists who visit Ethiopia buy various souvenirs, which showcases a broad spectrum of Ethiopian culture. Often, tourists buy Ethiopian jewellery as a reminder of their sojourn here and to gift it to their loved ones at home. Having said this, parallel to maintaining age -old styles and traditional knowledge, the goldsmiths and silversmiths should modernize their handicraft profession to produce more attractive ornaments. Thus, governmental and non-governmental organizations should work in collaboration to enhance the handicraft profession.

Source: AllAfrica

Ethiopia reports huge revenue in power supply over last 10 months

Ethiopia says it has earned over $165m in revenue for sale of electric power over the last 10 months. Out of the amount, $49m was from supply to neighbouring Sudan and Djibouti.

The state-affiliated FANA broadcasting corporate (FBC) quoted an official with the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity as saying the amount fell short of the country’s target of $200m.

According to FBC, the suppliers were meeting local power demands and had plans to sell electric power to other countries as more power generating units are completed. It was not exactly clear which other entities were customers of Ethiopia.

Beside Sudan and Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania are also in the process of getting power from Ethiopia. A 400MW deal has been reached with Tanzania and Kenya is also looking to buy an estimated 200MW to compliment its energy.

Work on the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) is past the 50% mark, it is estimated that it will produce over 6,400MW of power – and will have the pride of being the largest on the continent.

Ethiopia is in line to become the subregion’s leading power exporter and renewable energy hub on the continent. A combination of their power generating sources – hydroelectric, geothermal, wind and solar energies – is estimated at 60,000MW.

Ethiopia besides its political obligation and involvement in the region is a strong business force also despite being landlocked. The electric railway linking the country to Djibouti is one of the major projects it has with the Red Sea state.

The Ethiopia Railways Company only recently announced regular test runs on the route connecting the country to its neighbour. They said a total of 30 locomotives – fifteen each for passengers and freight will be used for the test.

The Ethio-Djibouti railway line was launched in October last year as part of efforts to open up Ethiopia to business. The route comprises a 758-km stretch linking Addis Ababa and Djibouti.

The Chinese-built project was aimed at creating new manufacturing industries, improving transport and further opening up landlocked Ethiopia. The two countries in December 2016 announced a joint company to manage the railway line.

Ethiopia's Tedros gets Dangote, AU chief's final backing for WHO DG post

The Chairperson the African Union Commission (AUC) has issued the continent’s rallying push for Ethiopia’s former health and foreign affairs chief who is a front-runner to become Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a tweet on Monday morning – May 22, 2017, AUC chair Moussa Faki Mahamat alluded to the strength of Africa when it unites, in reference to the fact that the continent was united behind the candidature of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

‘‘When Africa speaks with one voice, she wins. Africa is united for Dr. Tedros,’‘ the AUC chief’s tweet read. Dr. Tedros, a Public Health Specialist will become the first African to hold the position in nearly seven decades of the WHO’s existence.

When Africa speaks with one voice, she wins. Africa is united for Dr. Tedros.
When Africa speaks with one voice, she wins. #Africa is united for DrTedros DrTedros4WHO MoetiTshidi WHOAFRO WHO #WHA70 #Ethiopia. pic.twitter.com/wiGqDoc306

— Moussa Faki Mahamat (MoussaFaki_M) May 22, 2017
Preceding the AU Chief was Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who also took to Twitter to endorse Dr. Tedros. Dangote described him as a talented Ethiopian public servant who saved millions of lives and achieved incredible health gains for his country, adding that the world should be united behind him as Africa is.

He will be facing two other shortlisted candidates including the United Kingdom’s David Nabarro and a Pakistani physician, Dr. Sania Nishtar. Dr. Nabarro is seen as the main challenger to Africa’s candidate.

(1/2) DrTedros is a talented public servant who has achieved incredible health gains for Ethiopia, saving millions of lives.

— Aliko Dangote (AlikoDangote) May 21, 2017
(2/2) Africa is united behind him and the world should be as well

— Aliko Dangote (@AlikoDangote) May 21, 2017
Voting for the next Director-General takes place today

The World Health Assembly, which is the decision-making body of WHO is currently having its annual meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

It is attended by all WHO Member States and focuses on a health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of WHO, appoint the Director-General – The new Director-General will take office on 1 July 2017.

The body also supervises financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has expressed worry over the refusal of nationals illegally resident in Saudi Arabia to return home despite a 90-day amnesty program.

Desalegn said he feared that the Saudi government will resort to forcibly deport Ethiopians who have refused to voluntarily return home.

The Premier is quoted by the Ethiopia News Agency as saying, “the situation that made the Saudi Government forcibly deport our citizens is being created. Therefore, it is better if our citizens come back home before various problems arise seizing the opportunity they are given even in the remaining short period”.

I wasn’t trying to commit suicide, I was trying to escape from the woman who tried to kill me.
The 90-day amnesty expires in a few days and authorities say the numbers of people they expected to return under the program was all but underwhelming. The PM, however, renewed the appeal for them to return in their own interest.

The period for illegal foreigners to leave the oil-producing giant started on March 29, 2017. Those who fail to leave will be subjected to fines or face legal measures, which include forced deportation.

The PM further assured that nationals residing in Saudi Arabia and the government will continue to collaborate with the Ethiopian mission in Saudi Arabia and other regional governments for the safe return of citizens.

Even as the government continued to fight trafficking of persons, the PM held that illegal brokers were thwarting those efforts and destroying lives of citizens because of their profits.

Most affluent Middle East countries hire thousands of domestic helpers from Africa and Asia. Most of these helpers often complain of abuse from their employers. In a recent case in Kuwait, an Ethiopian maid was virtually thrown off from the seventh floor of an apartment block by her employer.

The maid was filmed by her employer, a Kuwaiti woman, while she hanged outside their building tightly gripping the window frame with one hand until she fell onto a metal awning seven floors below.

Local media reported that she was attempting to commit suicide despite her call for help before falling. She denied that claim in a later interview.

“I wasn’t trying to commit suicide, I was trying to escape from the woman who tried to kill me,” she said.

The employer was arrested for not helping the Ethiopian maid who was rescued by health professionals and rushed to the hospital with blood oozing from her nose and ears as well as a broken arm.

Source: http://www.africanews.com/2017/05/21/ethiopians-illegally-resident-in-saudi-refuse-gov-t-help-to-return-pm-worried/

Africa, Europe and South Asia will battle it out for who leads the United Nations (UN) health outfit, the World Health Organization (WHO).

The African candidate is a former Ethiopian technocrat and diplomat who is aiming to be the first African to occupy the topmost position in global healthcare management.

Here are ten top facts about Africa’s WHO candidate.

1. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has held two ministerial portfolios in Ethiopia – Health (2005 – 2012) and Foreign Affairs (2012 – 2016)

2. He has by far been the most vibrant social media (Twitter) campaigner among the three finalists. @DrTedros has over 227,000 followers.

3. He holds a PhD in Community Health and boasts of having technical and political competences that can help the WHO to move forward – as a health expert and seasoned diplomat.

4. He received the endorsement of the African Union (AU) in January 2016 during the 26th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly.

5. He will become the first African Director-General to lead the WHO and also the first non-physician Public Health Specialist.

If I win I will be the first Minister of Health to lead #WHO, the first DG from #Africa & the first non-physician Public Health Specialist

— Tedros Adhanom (@DrTedros) April 29, 2017
6. One of his priorities is to expand the funding base of the WHO and increase member states’ contribution.

7. In July 2009, he was elected Board Chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – a post he held for a two-year term.

8. He did not entirely leave the Ethiopian civil service space after resigning as Foreign Affairs chief, he continued as a special advisor to the Prime Minister.

9. He is credited with overhauling Ethiopia’s entire healthcare structure which was highly challenged. His reforms led to dramatic gains in indicators such as child and maternal health.

10. He was born in neighbouring Eritrea on March 3, 1965 – currently he is 52 years old.

The Director-General is WHO’s chief technical and administrative officer and oversees the organization’s international health work.

The current Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, was appointed in 2006 and will complete her second term on 30 June this year.

His other two contenders are Dr. David Nabarro of Britain – who is seen as Tedros’ main contender. The third candidate is Dr. Sania Nishtar, a Pakistani physician.

Shaban Abdur Rahman Alfa
Africanews web journalist
Republic of Congo, Pointe Noire
[email protected]

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern warning to Ethiopian Airlines to stop forthwith the unauthorized collection of deportation fee from Nigerian passengers.

NCAA accused the East African carrier of illegally collecting between $75 and $150 from Nigerian passengers.

It added that for those without such amount of money with them, Ethiopian Airlines compel them to sign an undertaking that they would be responsible for their deportation fee in case they are deported.

NCAA in a statement by Mr. Sam Adurogboye stated that this “non-refundable deportation fee” is only collected from the airlines’ passengers travelling to South Africa.

According to the statement, all outbound passengers to South Africa from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, transiting through Addis Ababa, are liable to pay $75 dollars while those that their transiting time is 24 hours or beyond, the passenger are compelled to pay $150 as non-refundable deportation fee to the airlines.

Adurogboye said the regulatory agency had been inundated with complaints from many passengers that have paid the fee, a situation, which led to independent investigation into the matter.

After its investigation, NCAA said it summoned Ethiopian Airlines’ Country management who confirmed the charge, but claimed that fees were always refunded when a passenger was not deported from the Southern African country.

NCAA has described the fee “unacceptable” and “ a violation of the authorities’ extant regulations.’”

The agency said it is yet to receive any request for fare increase, tariff or add-ons from the airline and urged the airline to take advantage of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CAR) and obtain necessary approvals from it if it has genuine grounds to increase fares or obtain tariffs.

NCAA further warned all operating airlines to or in the country to endeavor to adhere to the regulations.

However, SaharaReporters found that apart from Ethiopian Airlines, South Africa Airways also charges similar fees from Nigerian passengers, which most times are not refunded.

The South Africa airline commenced the collection of the charges in the country about 10 years ago before Ethiopian Airlines followed suit.