The problem of corruption in Liberia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The problem of corruption in Liberia - Essay Example At the beginning of 2002, UNHCR assisted the refugees who voluntarily wanted to repatriate to Sierra Leone, and by the end of September, close to 13,000 refugees had been repatriated. UNHCR intends to continue its work in close cooperation with the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), which is the government institution responsible for constructing and implementing programmes for the displaced in Liberia (UNHCR, 2002c; Kamara, 1999b). Many of the studies on the topic of resettlement and repatriation emphasise the security conditions and the importance of guaranteeing protection for the refugees. This seems to be a major concern not only throughout the conflict but also in the postwar period. In late 1992 there were reports of security problems, especially in the northern Lofa County, and as a result UNHCR and NGOs were unable to reach the Sierra Leonean refugees in that area. Moreover, although UNHCR has had a voluntary repatriation plan in place since July 1991, the ongoing fighting has prevented Liberian refugees from returning (Jesuit Refugee Service, 1993:7). According to UNHCR, the security situation improved somewhat in 1993. However, the implementation of the Cotonou agreement, which was argued to be a condition for the return of the refugees, was behind schedule (UNHCR, 1993). Furthermore, in early 1994, UNHCR was asking donors for funds regarding the voluntary repatriation of some 700,000 Liberian refuge es residing in neighbouring countries at that time (Jesuit Refugee Service, 1994). Abdi and Tinstman discuss voluntary repatriation to Liberia, and they too argue that the security situation in Liberia is precarious and that there is a need to ensure that the refugees are protected (Abdi and Tinstman, 1995). Paul Stromberg reports that, in late 1997, the UNHCR shifted its policy of facilitating repatriation to a more active policy of promoting repatriation, but progress has been slow. The problems have been several, for instance, the cross border insurgencies, together with the lack of interest from the international donors which have resulted in lack in funding (Stromberg, 1998). In a paper by Tom Kamara, several aspects concerning returnees and repatriation are discussed. Kamara argues that security issues, as well as the economic environment, make the conditions for repatriation and reintegration difficult (Kamara, 1999b). Along the same lines, Philippa Atkinson has conducted a study of the political and socio-economic conditions facing the Liberian refugees as they returned from neighbouring countries to Liberia. She analyses a number of different factors, including shelter, food aid, income distribution, and employment (Atkinson, 1992). In a more recent study on economic opportunities for those returning home, Rein Dekker studies a group of Ghanaians who moved to Liberia, but due to the war returned to resettle in their home country. The government of Ghana and international agencies were focusing on the Liberian refugees while Ghanaian refugees were left to fend for themselves. However, loan schemes were offered by an NGO, and it is this scheme which Dek ker evaluates in her study. Dekker examines the factors that determined whether the refugees were successful in making use of this economic opportunity and able to repay their loans (Dekker, 1995). Jeff Crisp reports on

Profitability ratios in financial ratio analysis Essay

Profitability ratios in financial ratio analysis - Essay Example Ratio Analysis is a popular technique which helps in analysing a company’s performance over a given period of time.Although this technique has some limitations, it is broadly used around the world in analysing the performance of different organisationsAs per the Income Statement and the Balance Sheet, the company seems to be a very good profitable organisation but a mere look upon these two financial statements do not give a decisive position about a company’s performance, hence proper analysis needs to be done. Ratio Analysis is one of the popular technique which helps in analysing a company’s performance over a given period of time. Although this technique has some limitations, it is broadly used around the world in analysing the performance of different organisations around the world. The performance of Uffington Plc is analysed by using the ratio analysis technique. The ratio analysis uses different types of ratio which are based upon different aspects of per formance in a company and finally a company’s performance is evaluated under all those different ratios.â€Å"Profitability ratios show a company's overall efficiency and performance. We can divide profitability ratios into two types: margins and returns. Ratios that show margins represent the firm's ability to translate sales pounds into profits at various stages of measurement. Ratios that show returns represent the firm's ability to measure the overall efficiency of the firm in generating returns for its shareholders† (About.com).... The ratio analysis uses different types of ratio which are based upon different aspects of performance in a company and finally a company’s performance is evaluated under all those different ratios. â€Å"Profitability ratios show a company's overall efficiency and performance. We can divide profitability ratios into two types: margins and returns. Ratios that show margins represent the firm's ability to translate sales pounds into profits at various stages of measurement. Ratios that show returns represent the firm's ability to measure the overall efficiency of the firm in generating returns for its shareholders† (About.com). Gross Profit Margin ratio is a profitability ratio which reveals the amount of gross profit as a percentage of the sales revenue. Uffington plc’s Gross Profit Margin has improved from 30% in 2008 to 35% in 2009. This indicates that the company has improved its performance during the year 2009 but if these results are compared with the indus try average trends for Uffington plc, the company has not performed although the company is trying to achieve the industry average gross profit margin of 50%. Uffington plc would need to increase its revenue or cut its costs dramatically to reach the industry average gross profit margin of 50%. Liquidity ratios are a measure of ascertaining the day to day running of a company; it is merely a measure of ascertaining a company’s ability to pay off its obligations as they fall due. These obligations are generally the current liabilities and these current liabilities can be met by having appropriate current assets. The current ratio is a measure that analyses a company’s ability to pay off its current liabilities by negotiating its current assets. Uffington plc