Book Review by Tadesse G. Kidan, former Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia and Senior Economic Advisor with the IMF
Dr. Aklog Birara has ably {www:synthesize}d reports on the downside risks associated with Ethiopian farmland sale to foreigners, into a book adorned with his own political yarns. The book highlights the classic conflicts: modernization vs. tradition, development of virgin land vs. its {www:degradation}, betting on local {www:wherewithal} vs. seeking foreign assistance, food self-sufficiency vs. drive for exports, foreign {www:investment-cum-involvement} vs. national independence, fairness vs. the quest for profit, local sacrifice vs. national benefit, letting sleeping dogs lie vs. awakening expectations, uncertainty of political environment vs. maximization of short-term profit, amassing wealth vs. protection of the weak, etc.
In short, the book’s real value lies in its underscoring of the complex nature of the world we live in. In the case of Ethiopia, though, the situation is further complicated by the fact that the powers that be are arguably bent on maximizing their short-term gains at the expense of the long-term interest of the country, Dr. Aklog argues.
I strongly recommend that Ethiopians in the diaspora and at home as well as foreigners interested in Ethiopian affairs and well-being familiarize themselves with the issues and concerns raised in the book, as a way of reaching consensus on ways and means of tackling Ethiopia’s food self-sufficiency and environmental problems in particular and the over-arching socio-political issues in general.”
The book can be ordered directly from the author via e-mail [email protected]
7 thoughts on “Book Review: The Great Land Giveaway”
Hello Elias (keep it up),
there is only one way to throw away those bastard Woyane beggars from Addis Ababa once and for all; that is: the opposition parties must call for a big peaceful demonstration in our capital city. Only then will the people act together than individually. We need the whole power of the people and the time is NOW NOW NOW!!!!!
U hate to unite fight weyane tplf.
Every inch of ethiopia is sold excapt tigray, tplf home.
We eritrean are telling you unite & finish this minorty regime.
weyane TPLF regime has sold ethiopia except Tigray .
The will pay pig price.
no one will forgive them.
to Eritrawi
The land give away started with you guys, did you just realize woyane is giving away and selling land. Look at your self, it started with yoiu guys but good to see that you guys realized it.
Elias, you should popularize the “we the people petition” created on the whitehouse.gov. If we reach 5000, we will get an official reponse from the white house. You should check for yourself…1775 people have signed already! we need the rest by October 22, 2011.
To #3 Eriterawi
To my Ereterawi brothers and sisters I am sorry to say this but the truth is that you were the first one to be cheated and kicked out of Ethiopia in the name of ‘freedom’, free from whom and what ? I live that to you guys. The fact is you guys were number one enemy of Ato Melese and were eliminated without one gun shot. Now who is telling who and what to and we should do. You have helped Ato Melese to become to what he is now. In the name of God, please stop using innocent Ethiopians who are already betrayed by you and Ato Melese, burned inside out, suffering and struggling for your own agenda. We know what we should do. We don’t have to shoot you guys like you all did. You will steal as much as you can and run to your den to become shifita again that is your story but Ethiopia will live forever.
To tezbet;
where were have you been in that last 20 year bro?gone is gone just think for the rest of Ethiopia.Woyane will came to sale you soon like cheap bag.