Connecting Ethiopia To The Future

By Eden Habtamu, Ezega News

Addis Ababa, July 29, 2009 — These days, one of the last words many Ethiopian would like to hear is “Sorry, the subscriber that you have dialed is not in service area, please redial later”. And, of course, there is a second one from Ethiopian Telecom that is equally not pleasing: “Your account balance is low, please recharge soon”. By now, even the lady who recorded this message must be tired of hearing her own voice over and over again.

One of my instructors at Addis Ababa University (who taught us public relations) gave us examples of public relation officers who were working for different governmental and non-governmental organizations. He said, “let’s take the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation as an example: why on earth would Tele have public relations program? It is known that Tele has no competitors; and whether we like it or not, we have no choice but to be a client. In such a monopolized market, the role of public relations becomes insignificant.” In other words, why spend extra money when all customers are yours – guaranteed?

Ethiopian telecommunication has multi-dimensional problems: from selling its services, to maintaining and repairing the endless problems faced by its clients every day.

In addition to its voice delivery services, ETC recently introduced data communication technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). However, as always, it is lagging behind in providing good service to its customers. Most technologies arrive in the country very late. A recent example is GPRS, which is the data communication standard for previous generation of GSM networks.

When ETC launches a new service, the training that should be given to its staff (especially to the customer support personnel and sales agents) usually comes after its clients are used to the service, or never at all.

This was what I personally encountered when I tried to subscribe CDMA Internet access via the cellular network. Since I already have CDMA modem, what I needed from ETC was a SIM card and an instruction on how to use the service. So, I went to the nearby branch of ETC and waited for nearly two hours to talk to a guy who, I was told, was in charge of providing the CDMA card. After waiting that long inside an extremely suffocating environment (the branch office), it was my turn to take the card. However, the sales clerk simply told me that I was on the wrong line. Mind you, I stood there for nearly two hours because the coordinator guard told me to wait in that line.

Unbelievably, I had to wait on the other line again to get the “miracle card”. This time, I was so thankful that I did not wait that long. After about 25 minutes, I reached the final and “right” place. The subscribing process was not that long. Within 3-4 minutes, I bought the SIM card and left the building with a high sprit that I will never come back to see the building again. I did not have any idea that I would be a regular customer to the office for weeks to come to understand their services.

To continue reading this article, please visit Ezega Ethiopian News page. Also at Ezega.com: Ethiopian Jobs, Ethiopian Music, Ethiopian Real Rstate.

From Diaspora to Mega Business: The Story of Boston Partners

Ato Tadiwos Belete is the co-owner of Boston Day Spa, Kuriftu Resort and Spa (in Debre Zeit and Bahr Dar-Lake Tana), Boston Partners, Kuriftu Guest House, Hora Resort, and Burayu Resort with his Taiwan-American partner. He introduced a well-established and standardized sap at Boston’s Partners building five years ago. He and his business partner then brought Kuriftu Resort and Spa at Debre Zeit and Lake Tana from dream to reality. Hora and Burayu Resorts are not finished and operational yet.

 

Tadiwos was born in a small village called Lemo in Arisi, and he later came to Dessie with his uncle. In 1980, he left for Sudan and stayed there for three years. He spent a very hard time in Sudan, lacking basic necessities, including sufficient water and food. He later became a servant. He engaged himself in different fields and faced challenging time for three years. He finally found a sponsor who took him to Chicago. After a year in Chicago, he headed to Boston and lived there for 19 years. Tadiwos deeply believes in challenging himself to the fullest and in working closely with and improving the lives of his employees at any cost.

 

For the full article, please visit Ethiopian News page at Ezega.com.

Africa’s Most Competitive Countries for Travel & Tourism – Top Ten Ranking for 2009

Ethiopia is ranked 22 among African countries and 123^rd among the 133 world countries surveyed in this ranking. As shown in the chart, the country fared worse in Regulatory Framework, particularly in Health and Hygiene in which it scored zero. Ethiopia also scored very low in ICT and Tourism Infrastructure. These are technologies and services that allow tourists to travel inside the country easily and freely. The country can go a long way in boosting foreign income from travel and tourism by address these issues. This will mean, in part, having or enforcing laws for sanitation facilities at least in public establishments, and improving ICT infrastructure, including the internet, which is in a very deplorable situation in Ethiopia.

 

For the full article, please go to Ezega Ethiopian News. Also at Ezega.com: Job Vacancy in Ethiopia, Real Estate in Ethiopia, and Ethiopian Music.

Technology Readiness in Africa – Ranking for 2008/2009

Addis Ababa, June 24, 2009 (Ezega.com) — The survey shows how 31 African countries fared in a survey for Technology Readiness conducted by the World Economic Forum. 134 countries were surveyed globally, including 31 African countries. The Technology Readiness index takes into account the use of technologies that enable a country to compete in the world effectively, including the proliferation of mobile phones, internet, satellite communications, computers and other hardware, as well as the educational attainment level in the country. In this latest ranking for Technology Readiness (2008-2009) conducted by the World Economic Forum, Ethiopia ranks third from last globally (132/134), and second from last in Africa (30/31). Excluding income from natural resources, Technology Readiness is one of the key indicators for future earning potential (and hence living standard) of the citizens of any country. By that measure, Ethiopia is indeed in a very poor situation globally, as well as by African standards.

For the full article, please visit Ezega.com Ethiopian News. Also, at Ezega.com: Job Vacancies in Ethiopia, Real Estate in Ethiopia and Ethiopian Music

Belachew Girma: World’s King of Laughter

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 11, 2009 (Ezega.com) — When Belachew Girma walks into a room, you have no choice but laugh. When he laughs, it is infectious and impossible not to join him. To this fellow, laughter is no mere laughter, it is a serious business. Meet the world’s king of laughter, Belachew Girma of Ethiopia and the Guinness World Record holder for the longest non-stop laughter. At the 14^th World Genius Impossibility Challenger Competition held last year, he broke world record and his own by laughing non-stop for 3 hours and 6 minutes.

Belachew Girma was born in Ethiopia in the Southern regional State of Kembata Alaba and Tembaro. He has been entertaining people locally and internationally since 2002G.C. He impressed many people with his talent and he is now in Guinness Book of World Records.  

Sindu Alemu of Ezega News sat down with Belachew Girma recently at the Pan Roma Hotel and asked him about his skill, his work, and his life. Here follows the full interview with Belachew Girma.

For full article, please visit Ezega.com - Ethiopian News - Ethiopian Jobs - Ethiopian Real Estate - Ethiopian Music

Renaissance of Ethiopian Music

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 15, 2009 (Ezega.com) — Ethiopia has a very rich music history. The 1950s and 60s produced some of the best musical talent as well as many great hits that are popular in the country even to this day. There are some who are afraid that the music of this era will soon fade away and be forgotten, giving way to music of the new generation. However, I just witnessed a group that is working hard for the renaissance of this music. They name themselves after their endeavor: “Addis Acoustic Renaissance Group”. I saw this group deliver a wonderful performance the other night at Club Alize located at the far end of Africa Avenue (Bole Road) near the airport.

Club Alize is located on the second floor and accommodates nearly 400 people. The interior of the club has a classic Far East decor and includes cozy couches on the right side of the club. The left part is mainly dominated by the bar counter. On Thursdays, there is extraordinary jazz music played here that everyone seems to enjoy. The founder and leader of the group, the Addis Acoustic Renaissance Group, is Girum Mezmur (guitar player and composer). Other group members include Henock Temesgen (Double Bass), Dawit Ferew (Clarinet), Natnael Tessema (Drum), Shaleka Melaku Tegegn (Accordion), Mesale Legesse (Percussion), and Ayele Mamo (Mandolin). Shaleka Melaku and Ayele Mamo, musicians from the 1950s and 60s, give the group a unique image and stature.

Addis Acoustic Renaissance Group strives to improve itself by adding new arrangements frequently, a trait that seems to give the group a captivating character. On Thursdays, the club is packed with various types of people (old, young, locals, foreigners, couples, groups – you name it.) In fact, it is this quality to embrace and entertain all kinds of people that distinguishes this group from all others. This is a living proof that the same genre of music can, in fact, appeal to various age groups and to people from all walks of life.

Addis Acoustic Renaissance Group’s jazz night is a place that appealed to me for some time now. They play tasteful and classic music from the 1950s and 60s in a way that entertains even those who have no clue about the Ethiopian music of that era.

Girum, the founder and leader of this group, is only 34 years old. However, he has already left his mark as a lead guitarist and coordinator in many well-known bands and records in Addis Ababa. Propelled by formal education from Yared Music School, Girum went on to hone his skills by joining the Axumite Band and later the Coffee House Club. Girum has been performing at the Coffee House as a jazz band leader and guitarist, also introducing the concept of jam session where guest musicians in the house are welcomed and encouraged to join the house band to perform on the spot. His weekly performances there over the past decade have been known to have influenced the live jazz scene in Addis Ababa to date.

Girum has also composed and arranged music for many artists, films, radio programs, and documentaries. Currently, he is involved in several bands and has traveled to various parts of the world, including countries in Africa, Europe, and North-America, with major Ethiopian acts such as Mahmoud Ahmed, Aster Awoke, Teddy Afro, etc. Girum has also performed with internationally known artists such as Ray Lema and Angelique Kidjo. He has also performed at major international music festivals such as the WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance), Montreal Jazz Festival,Ethiopian Music Festival III, IV, V, VII, and several others.

I interviewed Girum recently, who welcomed me with a warm smile for our early morning interview. He is a very polite and sincere person. We discussed his childhood, his music, how he founded the group, and much more. Here follows the full interview with Girum, the founder, band leader, producer and guitar player of Addis Acoustic Renaissance Group.

To read the full interview, click here.

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Countries with the highest HIV infection in the world – Top 10

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 10, 2009 (Ezega.com) – Based on USAIDS data for 2007, the top 20 HIV-infected nations in the world are all found in Africa. And within Africa, the most HIV-ravaged region is Sub-Sahara Africa, orphaning nearly 12 million children aged 18 years and under. Swaziland tops the list with HIV infection rate of 26.1% among adults aged 15-49 years. That means one in four adults in Swaziland has the HIV virus. This has resulted in Swaziland having the lowest life expectancy rate in the world – just 40 years.

For the full article, please visit Ezega.com, the premier site for Ethiopian News, Job in Ethiopia, Real Estate in Ethiopia, Ethiopian Classifieds, and Ethiopian Social Networking.

Ezega.com Interviews Miss Ethiopia 2009, Chuna Okok

The 2009 Miss Ethiopia beauty pageant was organized by the Ethiopian Village Adventure Playground and held on January 18, 2009, at the new Intercontinental Hotel in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. There were 20 finalists in the competition. Chuna Okok, a 22-year-old Addis Ababa University student, won the Miss Ethiopia contest, beating off the other 19 finalists. Unlike the other pageant contenders, Chuna Okok came from the Gambella region of Ethiopia and gave the competition a different and beautiful color.

This second year Business and Economics student at Addis Ababa University and the 2009 Miss Ethiopia winner, Chuna Okok, held an exclusive interview with Ezega.com reporter, Eden Habtamu, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Asked how she got into the pageant contest, Chuna replied it was a push from her best friends that led her to think about it. “They believed that I have all the inward and outward beauty. So, I gave it some time and I finally decided to participate in the competition” said Chuna.

According to Chuna Okok, her family in Gambella didn’t know about her competing in the Miss Ethiopia pageant until after she won the title. She said, she called her parents the day after to tell them that she won the Miss Ethiopia Pageant. But, by then, they had already heard about it minutes earlier from her cousin. According to Chuna, her father said “this must be God’s will and we shall accept it”. And her Mom was crying continuously. “She would have very much liked to see me on that stage. But she missed it.”, said Chuna.

Asked how she felt when she heard that she was the winner, Chuna said, “Wow! I was shocked, completely shocked, and I didn’t believe it until the next day.”

As Miss Ethiopia crown holder, Chuna indicated that she will do her best to promote Ethiopia and the harmony of the different nations and nationalities of Ethiopia, through the display of its culture, dressing, food, and way of living. She said she would also like to introduce Ethiopia’s rich natural and historical sites and heritage to the world.

Chuna was asked to explain what helped her win the Miss Ethiopia 2009 competition. She replied that her confidence took the first and major place. Next to that, she said, her different and black color played an enormous role.

On what constitutes beauty, Chuna said, “beauty for me is the cumulative outcome of internal and external beauty. One will not be complete without the other.”

For the full interview with Miss Ethiopia 2009, Chuna Okok, please visit Ezega.com, the premier site for Ethiopian News, Job in Ethiopia, Real Estate in Ethiopia, Ethiopian Classifieds, and Ethiopian Social Networking.

 

New AU Chair, Muammar Gaddafi, addresses AU Commission staff in Addis Ababa

The Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, came to the African Union Commission to address the employees of the commission and urge them to work hard for the transition to the African Union Authority. Col. Gaddafi arrived at the meeting hall one hour late. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Jean Ping, and other dignitaries accepted Col. Gaddafi at the gate of the commission. The Libyan leader signed Visitor’s book and had his photo taken with the leaders of the Commission.

The Chairperson of the AU Commission gave a brief welcome speech before Gaddafi addressed the crowded meeting hall.According to our sources inside the AU, the entire theme of Gaddafi’s speech was to blame the west for all of the problems of Africa. He even went as far as justifying the piracy at the coast of Somalia as legitimate. The speech began by expressing the colonial era and its effects on Africa as the darkest time in African history. He said, despite our “freedom”, African countries still suffer from the “poison” planted by the west. He gave his country, Libya, as an example, and explained how the colonizers actually stole its resources.

To read the full article, please visit Ezega.com – the best portal for Ethiopia News, Ethiopia Jobs, Ethiopian Real Estate, Ethiopian Classifieds, Ethiopian Entertainment, and Ethiopian Social Networking.

Extended African Union Summit reaches no consensus on the “United States of Africa”

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 5, 2009 (Ezega.com) – The 12th Ordinary Africa Union summit of head of states and governments was held in Addis Ababa on February 1-4, 2009. The ordinary session focused on issues of peace, security and stability of the continent, infrastructure developments, the current global economic crisis, intercontinental conflicts, and the crises in Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also elected a new chairperson. Further, it affirmed the transformation of the Africa Union Commission to the Africa Union Authority.

Though the summit delayed the push towards the formation of the United States of Africa on the opening day (February 1st), the debate continued on closed sessions, until Wednesday 3:00am in the morning (local time).

Internal sources from the African Union Commission told Ezega.com that the leaders carried on a fierce debate on the idea of Union Government for Africa. At some point, the rift over this idea overshadowed some of the official agenda focused on other topics, including infrastructure development.

To read the complete article, please click here: Extended African Union Summit reaches no consensus on the “United States of Africa” at Ezega.com. Ezega.com is the premier portal for Ethiopian News, Ethiopian Jobs, Ethiopian Real Estate, Ethiopian Classifieds, Ethiopian Videos, and Ethiopian Entertainment and Social Networking.