Professor Tenkir Bonger. He was born and raised in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. He attended elementary education at Wolkite town. After completing his elementary school, he went to Ambo and completed his secondary school there.
Professor Tenkir joined the then Haile Selassie University, the current Addis Ababa University, and earned B.A in Geography. He earned his MSc in Agricultural Economics and PGD from the University of Reading, UK. He earned his Ph.D in Economics at Thames from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and PGCE in Business Teaching Methods.
Professor Tenkir briefly taught economics at the universities of North London, South Bank and Bristol, UK. His major academic career commenced at the University of Zimbabwe. In addition, he taught at Addis Ababa and Unity Universities in Addis Ababa and Mulungushi University, Zambia.
Professor Tenkir worked in many national and international institutions. He served as a Senior Research Fellow at the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), Kampala, Uganda; and he was the founding member of the Ethiopian Development Research Institute (EDRI) headquartered in Addis Ababa. In addition, he also served as a Senior Research Fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economics Research, University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados.
Professor Tenkir wrote a book and many articles. He translated many articles from Amharic into English including the article of the well-known Negadras Gebrehiwot Baykedagn. Professor Tenkir is the author of the book entitled ‘Some Aspects of Socio-Economic/Institutional Bases of Rising Africa:
[studies from Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe]
’ The Ethiopian Herald had a time of togetherness with Professor Tenkir Bonger.
Ethiopian Herald: How did you see the issue of “land to the tillers” as compared to the reality this day?
Professor Tenkir: During our childhood we used to support Marxism Ideology thinking of a change overnight. But now when I have realized, the Ethiopian economy during Emperor Haile Selassie’s regime was growing by 5 percent annually. The country’s economy was growing only by 1.5 percent in the seventeen years of Derg regime.
The process of development by students who graduated from the Haramaya University was high. They were highly participating in agro-industries on the Awash Valley. They were creating jobs by their own effort. Currently, all graduates are expecting the government to create jobs to them.
In addition, others were participating on farming at Arsi. That would have been great for the country if there was continuity. At the time many investments were owned by Ethiopians.
Still agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopia’s economy. Personally, I do support the land proclamation of the Derg. It is the fundamental
cause for Ethiopia’s agricultural growth.
Country’s agricultural development had increased by 6.10 during the last ten years. All the farmers were benefiting equally in the country which is appreciable as compared to the other countries.
Herald: Rural-Urban migration is highly increasing in the country. What is the impact of the migration on agricultural sector?
Tenkir: It may harm the Agricultural sector a bit due to lack of labor power. For example, the southern part of the country is a highly populated place. One can find overpopulation on small villages. The land is not enough as compared to the population. But if you look at the case of Gojjam, there is ample farming land which can feed all population.
As to me, the rural-urban movement in the country is not posing a threat to the agricultural sector.
Herald: What is your take on Ethiopia’s economic development?
Tenkir: The country’s economy is experiencing many good things. Even growing by 10 percent by itself is what is to be called very fruitful for the nation. This economic development is attributable to the 80 percent of the country’s population, which comprises peasants. This ten percent growth is ascribable to the developmental push of this segment of society.
On other hand, the transportation in the country was much more developed as compared to previous times. For example in Gurage Zone, there are roads on every five kilometers distance. The whole country’s road coverage is very interesting. So, this is one of the results of economic development in the country.
But this doesn’t mean that there are no negative things. But the domain of that problem is politics.
Ethiopia’s annual turnover is as much as $ 70 billion given its large population side. There is no country in the world where there is a lifespan of 64 years of this total income. This is a miracle. Why this is so? How did we get here? How come such a result?
The answer to the aforementioned outcome resides in the work of women’s health extension workers in every village. In this vast, geographically diverse landscape, government policy and such hard-working women have resulted in a good handling of tasks. The country is on a better place as compared to the previous.
Herald: Do you think that leasing land to foreign investors has an impact on the economy and agriculture?
Tenkir: Land is inheritance property. It belongs to the ancestors. But here in the country we do have huge farmlands which are very fertile. For example in Gambela state the land is not being used in proper way. Leasing a land to the investor has no problem. But there is problem in managing the land taken for investment.
In Ethiopia, many investors are miss-using both the land and the money they borrowed from Ethiopian Development Bank. The other thing is restitution or
compensation for the farmers. This issue is harming the farmer’s lots. Government should work on how to benefit both the investors and peasants.
Herald: Reflection on political turmoil and the ways out?
Tenkir: I do not think there would be anybody who can provide a ready-made solution. But as to me, the ongoing change in the country is very exciting. Politics and economy have direct relations. The only alternative we have is democracy. Now, the country is on a crossroad. The first one is could Ethiopia solve the historic mistakes of power by gun? Second, could it properly embark on the path of democracy and creating a government that people could trust and vice versa?
There are great personalities who played a great role in own country’s treck to democracy. For example, India has Gandhi; South Africa has Mandela and so many others. I wish PM Abiy would be one of the history makers in the history of the country. Gandhi united all in peace and love. If PM Abiy could bring all together, he could be one amongst great personalities.
Herald: Some argue that the country’s economic development is unhealthy; what do you say on that?
Tenkir: There is economic growth and development. There are fruitful policies. We have slashed down poverty from 65 to 25 per cent. We have increased life expectancy to 64; the road coverage in the country is totally different from the previous one. No positive economist could ignore these. The policies are home-grown polices. Let us not forget the Millennium Development program. Why was it conducted in Ethiopia, it was the recognition for Ethiopia’s achievement in development.
Ethiopia was coming from the bottom. The Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is one of signs of the Ethiopia’s economic development because the budget was fully covered by Ethiopian people. Though there seem to be a downside in the political aspect of the country, the economic side shows much change.
The question should be on the economic distribution among the country’s population. That is one of the wrong sides done by politicians. The economic distribution in among the equally populated area has a problem. Currently, the youngsters are about to bring a new phase to the Ethiopian politics, which could shape the question of wealth distribution.
Herald: Does infrastructure and skyscrapers development measure economic progress?
Tenkir: The measurement for economic development is economic and sustainable human development index. In that index, Ethiopia is still behind. We don’t have to forget as we are coming from behind. But, there is a spirit of taking off the ground. For example, Ethiopia’s below poverty rate is 25 percent but Kenya is 60 percent. But, they are up there in terms of per capital income. Because, they are less populated as compared to Ethiopia. We better not discredit what we have on our hand. We are also working to uplift the people who are under poverty. Let us not forget regarding this.
Herald: Does a population size have impact on a country’s economy?
Tenkir: One western scholar said population is a time bomb. They use to call China yellow peril. They felt threatened if this people may start war. Look now, china is due to take the leading position of the economy from United States of America. It is based on how and in what method we are going to use population to change the economy.
Here in Ethiopia. It is better to have family planning to manage unexpected population.
Herald: What should be done to transform the country in much more?
Tenkir: We have started with a wrong way called agricultural-led economy. But agricultural leading economy will never transform the country. We better join the ranks of industry-led economy. Lots of developed countries are turning eyes toward Ethiopia. Let us keep our peace and work on how to work and develop industrialization in the country.
Now, we are in the twenty five century, what we need to transform the country is industrialization.
The Ethiopian Herald April 7/2019
BY AMBO MEKASA
