Correlates of Constrain Factors to Efficient Air Cargo Distribution in Ghana

Adenigbo Adedotun Joseph  

The achievement of seamless cargo operations at airports appears difficult because of the myriad of factors serving as constraints to the operational efficiency of cargo flow. The rates at which these constraints persist weaken the systematic supply chain of cargo operations at airports. This paper examines the level of the interrelation ships the factors serving as constraints to the efficient operations for air cargo distribution at Accra airport, Ghana. The study employed random sampling technique to survey a total of 154 respondents who were majorly cargo agents and customs officers at Accra airport, Ghana. The result of the Speraman’s Rank correlation analysis of data showed that majority of the variables have significant relationships at p = 0.01 and p = 0.05 with one another to serve as constraints to operational efficiency of air cargo distribution in Ghana. This implies that inefficient cargo operations subsist as a result of the intertwine nature of these factors. The study concludes with policy recommendation on the need to promote efficient cargo operations in Ghana with reduced effect of the joint and individual factor on airport operations.

Marginalization of Artisans and Its Sequels on the Endogenous Development in Central Tigray

Wuhibegezer Ferede & Aklilu Kahsay

The study was undertaken in central Tigray which is the epicenter of many of the world wonders and legacies of the past civilization. It also harbors a living museum which indicates artistic excellence and innovation of the artisans. The indigenous craft knowledge system was very decisive in producing technology incubating minds and cosmic hands pivotal for the transmission of intellectual traditions and technical skills from generation to generation and for keeping the lamp of civilization burning. However, as time went on the profession lost social support and technological innovation and excellence was declined with alarming rate for the new generation became indifferent towards craft vocation and education. Therefore, this research was conducted to examine the causes for the marginalization of artisans (craftsmen and women) and its concomitant effect on the rural economy in central Tigray. The examination of the date collected from FDG, in-depth interview, observation, informal discussions with various sections of community in the environs of Axum along with secondary document analysis indicated that in spite of the high demand for the products of artisans in the rural economy, artisans are spatially segregated, politically disempowered, economically alienated, socially excluded and subordinated. The causes that produced this paradox include economic competition and the conspiracy of foreign craft workers, power preservation move of feudal technocrats, monastic orders and association of evil eyes to the profession. Hence, the realization of technological renaissance in the country at large and the transformation of the rural livelihood in central Tigray demands to be routed in resuming of the indigenous skills of the crafts men and the demystification of myths held about artisans by empowering them socially, economically and politically.   

Determinants of supply in the wheat value chain of Ethiopia

Zewdie Habte, Belaineh Legesse, Jema Haji, & Moti Jaleta

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting the quantity of commodity supply in the wheat value chain (WVC) in Ethiopia. This study used personal interviews to collect primary data from WVC actors by using surveys. The data collected came from input suppliers, wheat producers, wholesalers, wheat processors and support institutions. It also made use of empirico-inductive approach and focused synthesis to conceptualize commodity supply and coordination. Mixed sampling techniques (random, census and purposive) were applied to select sampling units. Qualitative analysis, descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the set of data. The paper finds that the marketed surplus of wheat significantly increases with landholding, fertilizer used, extension services and the costs of wheat production and negatively associates with information asymmetry and crop rotation. The strategic interactions influence the quantity of a commodity that actors supplied to the markets. It adds new knowledge to the existing theoretical and empirical literature. It may be recommendable to target the efforts in order to improve extension services, reduce information asymmetry and encourage the utilization of wheat technologies to enhance wheat supply.

An Assessment of Primary School Instructional Processes in Promoting Peace, Harmony and Conflict Management in Government Primary Schools of the Addis Ababa City Government, Ethiopia: Implications for Teacher Education

Demis Zergaw

Ethiopia has been suffering from absence of peace and recurrent conflicts emanating mainly from lack of tolerance of ethnic and religious differences. The purpose of the current study, therefore, is examining the contribution of primary school instructional processes to the prevalence of peace and harmony and reduction of conflicts and the implication it has for teacher education. A descriptive study design using quantitative method was used to study the current situation in schools. The instrument used for the study was questionnaire. Fifty per cent of teachers undergoing in-service education in the Addis Ababa University in the 2017-18 Academic Year were selected as sample using stratified simple random sampling technique. The validity of the instrument was determined using expert opinions and reliability was established by administering the questionnaire to 10 non-participating teachers. Data were collected by the researcher and an assistant and analyzed using mean, percentage and one way ANOVA. Outcomes suggested that the contents of harmony and conflict were not adequately taught and, consequently, lacked sufficient internalization by students Based on the outcomes, it was concluded that the contribution of instructional processes to the prevalence of peace and mitigation of conflicts was not sufficient. It was, thus, recommended that teachers should more extensively teach about the contents of peace and harmony. Moreover, the teacher education curriculum should include these same contents, and teachers need to be trained in the ways they could better teach the concepts and promote cooperation and collaboration among students. 

Socio-Cultural Dynamics of the khomba Cultural Practice

William Muchono and Maheshvari Naidu

This descriptive and exploratory paper looks at how the khomba cultural practice that is ostensibly positioned as transitioning the girl child from adolescence to adulthood and is used to ‘construct the female body’. The study focuses on the Shangaan people of the Mahenye community in the south eastern part of Zimbabwe and draws from narratives and experiences of both men and women via semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The paper also contextualises how the practice of khomba culturally creates the ‘female body’ and how it strengthens masculinity behaviours amongst the Shangaan people. The paper describes and analyses khomba as a rite of passage and considers how it defines what a ‘real woman’ is, according to the Shangaan belief system. The researchers noted that the cultural practice of khomba is used as a tool or vehicle to create the ‘female’ or ‘cultural body’ and strengthens masculinity behaviours. 

What is the Level of Geographic Literacy among Undergraduate Students of Bahir Dar University?

Fesseha Hailu Mekonnen

Geographical literacy is vital for the 21st century global citizens to make reasonable decisions about the planet; to maintain a sustainable and interdependent world where they can live in harmony with other human beings. In this article a survey was made to assess the level of geographic knowledge of Bahir Dar University undergraduate students. A cross-sectional survey design was employed and data were collected from 452 students through a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 78 test items. Surprisingly, the students’ geographic literacy in all the tests was found to be low. The Mann-Whitney U test also indicated no statistically significant difference in test scores between geography major and non- major students (U = 23159, p = .487). Further study on the teaching and learning process is crucial to address this pressing problem.