Outcome Evaluation of the work of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) on soil and water management in Ethiopia

In 2019, the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) Leadership chose to evaluate WLE’s work in Ethiopia as one of its countries where it has had most success. The objectives of the evaluation are: To determine how and in what ways WLE contributed to the achievement of intended/unintended outcomes; Based on the findings of the evaluation, make recommendations of how WLE (and its partners) can become more effective in supporting soil and water management in Ethiopia; To serve as a participatory learning experience for WLE and its partners. This report describes the evaluation process, findings, conclusions and recommendations

The Macroeconomics of Foreign Aid to Ethiopia: Internal Balance and Fiscal Response-An Alternate Framework

Foreign aid recipient fiscal response in developing countries is studied using utility/welfare maximization principle. The underlying assumption of this function (utility/welfare can be maximized by narrowing the deviations of the actual values from their desired values subject to the constraints of finance) doesn’t capture the interplay between project aid inflows and the adjustment process of the government budget. This paper proposes an alternative framework in conceptualizing the recipients fiscal response. This was possible due to the special feature of this paper that aid is disassociated from foreign capital inflow and also identified by its usage which is not the case in other similar studies. This makes one of the strong point and hence the advantage of this paper. Ethiopia in the pre-EPRDF regimes received project aid. The alternative conceptual framework is that project aid is an investment support which pays only for foreign exchange cost component of the investment program. This kind of aid requires the recipient government to generate local resource in order to finance the local currency component of the investment cost and recurrent costs to keep the created capacity running. In this context the change in investment will be greater than the change in project aid inflow. Hence, domestic savings will increase and government tries to improve both tax collection effort and rate and in the context of burgeoned public sector, the government will also try to raise its non-tax revenue through public enterprises surplus transfer (this has never been an issue of the fiscal response literature) to finance the difference. The results were entirely contrary to the conventional claims. Project aid has no ‘displacement effect’. Government was responding positively to project aid by improving both tax collection effort and tax rates and by increasing its non-tax revenue. In the absence of real savings, the government, however, finances the local currency component of the investment cost by domestic bank borrowing: transferring private resources and printing money. It is argued that transferring of resources from private budget surplus to the public sector was carried out through distorted preferential domestic credit policies by crowding-out private investment and depressing personal consumption. Distorted domestic credit policies (rationing with preferential treatment to public sector) was, therefore, unintended outcome the fiscal adjustment to the aid inflow, generating the local fund for local currency costs of the aid-financed public investment in excess of real public savings

Assessing the Impact of Core Banking and Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction: Case of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Bale Robe Town

This work aims to assess the effects of core banking and service quality on customer satisfaction in the commercial bank of Bale Robe town in Ethiopia. Stratified sampling technique was used to select a sample of 350 customers; of this number, 310 customers were chosen. A questionnaire consisting of 5-level Likert scale statements was used to collect the primary data of the work. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. From the findings, there is strong correlation between all service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction in the selected bank. Also, there is strong correlation between core banking and customer satisfaction. The three service quality dimensions: reliability, assurance, and empathy influenced customer satisfaction at the bank positively and significantly; the rest of the two dimensions (responsiveness and tangibility) did not influence customer satisfaction. Core banking also influences customer satisfaction positively and significantly. The bank should concentrate on the two service quality dimensions more to improve customer satisfaction. Keywords: core banking, customer satisfaction, service quality, Ethiopia. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-17-05 Publication date:September 30th 202

Obstacles, Controversies and Prospects Surrounding Child Abuse Management in Addis Ababa

Corporal punishment by parents or guardians, family members and relatives is an accepted cultural practice in Ethiopia. Aside from parents and other family members, many children are also abused (physically and sexually) by other persons who by chance meet them. At the same time, there are undergoing activities related to child abuse management by concerned institutions. Coordinated child abuse management involves various professionals and institutions. This paper examines the situation of child abuse and its management in Addis Ababa focusing on challenges and controversies revolving around this social problem. It assess pertinent issues involved in child abuse management on the basis of the information obtained from case studies of abused children and abusers, agents of the criminal justice system (the police, lawyers, the judges), medical professionals, social workers, sociologists, psychologists and etc. The child abuse issue in Addis Ababa appears mainly linked to general conditions of poverty. Further, the main problem in child abuse management seems to be the absence of coordination among various agents, and lack of adequate resources and institutional facilities in place

In Vitro Shoot Multiplication of Two Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Genotypes using Shoot Apical Meristem

Conventional propagation of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is limited due to low propagation rates, its time demand and potential transmission of pathogens through seed cane from generation to generation.  In vitro propagation is the best alternative to overcome such limitations of conventional propagation. Hence, this study was initiated to optimize a protocol for rapid in vitro multiplication of two sugarcane genotypes (B4906 and Pr1013) grown in Ethiopia. This experiment was carried out in completely randomized design (CRD) with 2x5x5 factorial treatments arrangement of genotypes, BAP (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mgl-1) and NAA (0, 0.2, 0.3 0.4, and 0.5 mgl-1) in combination. Analysis of variance revealed that the interaction effects of genotypes, BAP and NAA were very highly significant (p< 0.001) for number of shoots/explant, shoot length and leaves/shoot. On MS media with 1.5mgl-1 BAP and 0.4mgl-1 NAA, B4906 gave the highest (16.88±0.5) numbers of shoots with 5.94±0.17 cm shoot length and 6.33±0.29 leaves/shoot. Whereas 2mgl-1 BAP and 0.5mgl-1 NAA resulted in a maximum of 11.70±0.28 shoots with 4.48±0.08 cm shoot length and 4.95±0.11 leaves/shoot for Pr1013. It could be concluded that the optimized protocol is useful for rapid clonal multiplication of sugarcane planting materials. Keywords: apical meristem, BAP, multiplication, NA

Determinants of First Line Antiretroviral Treatment Failure in Public Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Unmatched Case Control Study

Background: The identification and management of first-line antiretroviral therapy failure is a key challenge for human immune deficiency virus programs in resource-limited settings. Ethiopia being one of the resource-limited countries has limited resources available for diagnosing treatment failure and monitoring patient response with viral load, which is the gold standard, is not feasible in this limited setting. Patients initiate treatment with very advanced disease. However, factors lead to treatment failure is not well understood and well-studied. Objective: To identify determinants of first line antiretroviral treatment failure in public hospitals of Addis Ababa Methods: An unmatched case control study was conducted at Addis Ababa public hospitals using record review. Total sample size was 309 (103 cases and 206 controls). Bivariate analysis was done and all explanatory variables associated with first line treatment failure with P<.05 were entered in to multivariable logistic regression analysis using back ward stepwise likely hood ratio method to identify independent predictors. Result: One hundred three cases and two hundred six controls were included in the study. Treatment interruption (Adjusted odds ratio 5.4, 95% confidence interval 2.33 to 12.13), base line clusters of differentiation cell count <50 cells/?l (Adjusted odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 5.64), pulmonary Tuberculosis treatment (Adjusted odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.55 to 5.34) and history of gastric problem (Adjusted odds ratio 6.6, 95% confidence interval 2.33 to 18.87) were all independently associated with first line antiretroviral treatment failure. Conclusion and Recommendation: Base line lower clusters of differentiation cell count <50 cell/?l, treatment interruption, history of pulmonary Tuberculosis treatment during follow up time and chronic gastric problem were the independent predictors of first line antiretroviral treatment failure. There for Health professionals should pay special attention for the risk group identified. Keywords: antiretroviral therapy, case control study, treatment failure, highly activ

Trends and Determinants of Gross Domestic Saving in Ethiopia

This study examined the trend and major determinants of gross domestic savings rate (GDS) in Ethiopia using secondary annual data for the period 1980-2014. Data collected from central statistical authority (CSA) and MOFED.  The macroeconomic variables used include economic growth rate, deposit interest rate, M2, foreign aid, inflation rate and age dependency ratio. The model was estimated using co-integration and error correction models to analyze the short and long run equilibrium among the variables.Results of the study show that inflation rate, age dependency ratio and broad money to GDP ratio play a significant role in determining the gross domestic savings in Ethiopia whereas real interest rates and foreign aid was not a significant determinant of gross domestic savings.The overall findings of the study underlined the importance of adopting a strict monetary policy to maintain money supply within manageable levels and ensure stable and low inflation rates which would help improve real incomes and would also cause development in the financial sector and hence improve gross domestic savings in the economy. Further, the government should formulate policies for the improvement of health care provision. Keywords: Gross domestic savings, Age-dependency ratio, Broad money (M2), Inflation rate, Ordinary Least Squares, Ethiopi

Patterns of Woody Species Diversity Along Disturbance Gradient in Gumdri Abo Natural Forest, Dangila District, North Western Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Gumdri Abo natural forest along the three disturbance gradients which is located in Dangila Woreda Amhara Region Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to determine woody species diversity and stand structure within the three forest strata that were classified based on human induced forest disturbance level. For vegetation analysis, the forest was stratified in to three disturbance classes, i.e. Heavily Disturbed Forest (HDF), Moderately Disturbed Forest (MDF) and Low Disturbed Forest (LDF). Data were collected from nested circular plots of 11.28m (400m2) for trees and 5.64m (100m2) plots for seedlings and saplings that are laid down systematically along six transect lines. Equal sample plots were allocated for each forest strata. Woody species diversity was analyzed using Shannon Diversity Index (H’). Woody species density and diversity were assessed for each disturbance classes. One-way ANOVA was used to test significances differences among disturbance classes. A total of 72 woody species belonging to 40 families and 62 genera were recorded. Trees, shrubs and lianas account 44.4%, 45.8% and 9.7% respectively. Richness and diversity of woody species decreased from LDF to HDF. The diversity and density of woody species in the three forest strata were significantly different at 95% confidence interval.  Stand structure from diameter class distribution for trees and shrubs revealed trends of normal J shape in the three forest strata. The findings of the study indicated that woody species diversity and density in HDF and MDF were significantly lower than LDF. Thus, collaborative form of forest conservation by the government aimed at woody species conservation should be geared towards protecting Gumdri Abo natural forest from excessive human disturbance. Keywords: Conservation, Disturbance, Gradient, Diversity, woody species, Density DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-3-0

Determinants of Academic Staff Turnover Intention in Case of Bonga University

Academic Staff retention is one of the challenges facing several University in both the developed and developing countries of the world. The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of Academic Staff Turnover Intention in case of Bonga University. The study measured determinants and its relation with Turnover intention in the Bonga University. The sample consisted of 157 respondents’ selected based on random sampling procedure. Primary data were collected by using 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The result of the study showed that determinants; External factors have strong influence on Academic Staff Turnover Intention and weak impact with personal and Internal factors to Turnover Intention at Bonga University. The correlation results indicate that there is a positive correlation between the determinants and Turnover Intention. The results of the regression test showed that External factors have significant on Turnover intention. Thus, the determinants affect turnover intention that have not improve in order to maximizing academic programs and working conditions, working with city administration in order to facilitate better living and recreation centres, solving house problem staff and facilitating good education for children. The prevalence of academic staff intending to leave was found to be moderate and as a result, Before the intention is going to high rate take action in order to fill gaps of external factors the result presented and there should be staff retention mechanisms in place to improve the work environment and remuneration methods to retain senior and skilled academicians. Generally, based on the above findings the researchers were forward the possible recommendation and future research direction. Keywords: Turnover Intention, Personal factors, Internal factors, External factors, Academic Staff DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-5-05 Publication date:March 31st 202