Tomorrow is Independence Day, July 26, 2022 and it marks the 175th anniversary of Liberia’s independence declared on this date in July 1847. Five percent of women age 15-49 are thin (a body mass index [BMI] below 18.5), while 37% are overweight or obese. While child mortality has declined since the 2013 LDHS, according to LISGIS, “under-5 mortality has remained relatively stagnant, and infant mortality has increased. The founding fathers of this nation in the Declaration of Independence wrote: “Liberia is not the tool nor offspring of grasping ambition”. Happy Independence to all!

Biden Announces Summit Of African Leaders, Will President Weah Finally Get Invite From Washington? This has led many to believe that there is a strain on the relationship between the Weah-led government and the United States. Sirleaf’s Was DifferentThe Sirleaf administration was often criticized at the time for lavishing money on lobbyists in Washington. During the early days of the Weah Administration, KRL announced that it signed up a one-year agreement to support President Weah and his administration’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). Ms. Banks is also a Special Assistant to President Biden and the Senior Director for African Affairs at the Security Council.

This brings to two the number of handovers supports within a year for UMOVEMENT mobility under the EDA program from USAID through Democracy International. Meanwhile, DI is partnering with UMOVEMENT on the Liberia Elections and Democracy Activity (EDA) to ensure a focus on national ownership and sustainability in Liberia. Prominently, UMOVEMENT brings its integrated relationships with the MOE and with Liberian schools, teachers, teacher training institutes, and students as well as the necessary expertise to take the civic education curriculum to the finish line. The Election and Democracy Activity is a multiyear funded USAID project supporting the Ministry of Education to reintroduce civic education from grades 1-6 in 6 counties, targeting 60,000 students under objective 2 (Civic Knowledge and Sense of Civic Duty Improved). being received under the funded European Union, Irish Aid project – Supporting Effective Advocacy in Liberia (SEAL) Project, managed by Mercy Corps.

Liberia: NAYMOTE Embarks on Nationwide Awareness for Women’s Political Participation and Violence against WomenGbarnga — A non-governmental organization, NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development, has ended a one-day workshop in Gbarnga aimed at promoting women’s political participation and preventing violence against women. Naymote’s Executive Director, Eddie Jarwolo, said women’s participation in national leadership is key to Liberia’s growth and development. “When we have more women in legislature corruption would be minimized because women have integrity, ” Jarwolo said. They also listed fear, intimidation, lack of resources, harmful traditional practices, and lack of awareness of the electoral process as barriers affecting women’s participation. The participants at the civic engagement event recommended increasing civic awareness on women’s political rights and peer support to overcome some of the barriers identified, as well as encouraging more women to serve as ambassadors of change in achieving women’s political participation in Liberia.

Joseph Fahnbulleh made history at the ongoing world athletics championships on Tuesday after advancing to the final of the men's 200m. This accomplishment meant that Fahbulleh made history by becoming the first Liberian athlete to advance to an event's final at the world championships. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where Fahnbulleh secured his spot at the world championship, he made history by becoming Liberia's first-ever Olympics finalist. The top-ranked runner on Monday announced himself at the world championship when he breezed through the first round of the men's 200m, placing first in his heat. Unlike the Olympics 200m final that saw Fahbulleh as the only African, he is one of two Africans that will run in today's final.

A Non-Governmental / Non For Profit Organization known as FEED GOD’S PEOPLE will again visit several communities around Montserrado and it’s environment on July 21 & 22, 2022. Ambassador Dr. Sammy David is the C.E.O of FEED GOD’S PEOPLE. He is also the United Nations Eminent peace Ambassador to Liberia and country Director of the International Association of World peace AdvocatesAmb. As Liberia celebrates it’s Independence on July 26, this outreach is also about putting smiles on people faces in several communities through distribution of food kind, clothing, and other assorted items during the holiday season. several communities within Montserrado County, including orphanages and physically challenged institutions are expected to benefit from this outreach.

Hence, if the ensuing 2023 elections are to serve as a turning point, a lot needs to be done including the following:1. Change the Voter Registration System and Conduct a Fresh Biometric Voter Registration (BVR)The country needs a fresh voter registration in order to transition from an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) system to a complete Biometric Voter Registration system (BVR). The current voter roll is a product of such voter registration efforts in 2011 which has been manipulated several times by the NEC in multiple forms. The timely availability of the needed resources will be a strong indication of the successful and credible delivery of the 2023 elections. Liberia anti-corruption commission to investigate all elections commission commissioners.

Being a part of one of the outstanding football academies in Liberia, Nation One Academy, is rewarding all by itself because you need to have some exceptional qualities to be recruited by the Academy. In November of 2021, the Paynesville-based academy emerged as winners of the Orange Liberia U-15 Football Challenge after defeating Ansu Football Academy in the Final, 4-3 on penalties. This along was fair enough to celebrate, but not enough for the tournament sponsors, Orange. These kids had the opportunity to fly on a plane for the time and also had a new environment experience. This will not only go down in the history of Nationa One Academy and Orange but as an unforgettable experience that will be remembered by these kids who could become future stars in the near future.

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has expressed the willingness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to assist the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in developing its airpower capability. “Whenever you have pilots for further training, be rest assured that our training schools are open for them to become full-fledged pilots under the Nigerian Air Force pilots training programme”. He, therefore, solicited NAF’s technical assistance to facilitate the establishment of its Air Wing, considering NAF’s expertise in airpower. He added that Nigeria’s military assistance to Liberia was numerous and cannot be over-emphasized especially in the training of her pilots. On the CoS entourage were Col JS Willie, Commander Coast Guard AFL, Lt Col LM Lamon, Deputy Defence Attaché Accra as well as the 2 AFL pilots, amongst others.

Monrovia – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) office in Liberia, celebrating population day, has projected that the world population could reach eight billion people in November. Report by Jaheim T. TumuThis year’s population day falls under the theme: A World of 8 billion: Towards a resilient for all – Harnessing Opportunities and Ensuring Rights and Choices for All. Minister Tulay said that as the world anticipates eight billion, people could be reminded that the value of humanity is not divided, stating that every person should benefit from a just and prosperous world. “As we enter the age of eight billion, Liberia needs to flow with new dispensation. According to him, Sub-Saharan population is growing at unprecedented rate due to improve health outcomes and persistent fertility rates.

Clay Ashland is one of the isolated cities located in electoral district 17, Montserrado County. The setbacksFor several years now, the Clay Ashland Bridge reconstruction project has suffered multiple strangulations. Mayor Richard speaksWhen contacted, Clay Ashland City Mayor at the time confirmed the receipt of 400 bags of cement and US$200 from Senator Joseph as the initial contribution towards the bridge reconstruction. When contacted about the latest collapse of the bridge on Monday, Mayor Richards refused to comment. The citizens’ pleaMeanwhile, residents of Clay Ashland are calling on central government and other humanitarians and philanthropic organizations operating in Liberia and the diaspora to come to their aid.

Monrovia – The Financial Intelligence Unit of Liberia (FIUL) has taken its fight against money laundering and other financial crimes to another level following the confiscation and subsequent turnover of US$284,000 to the Government of Liberia. The FIU then launched an investigation in line with its mandate and based on reasonable suspicion of money laundering reinforced by findings of preliminary investigations, a freezing order was placed on all the company’s accounts in Liberia. In collaboration with the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), the said amount was recovered representing tax liabilities of the Company. “The FIUL commends the government of Liberia for its demonstrated will to tackle money laundering and at the same time appreciates the public confidence reposed in the FIUL. The National Strategy and Action Plan seeks to mitigate the risks identified in the National Risk Assessment (NRA) 2019 report to make Liberia free of terrorist financing and money laundering to enhance investment and development.

GANTA, Nimba County – President George Manneh Weah has ended the three days cabinet retreat cautioning officials that his government will no longer tolerate an indolent work attitude. Report by M. Dennise Nimpson, Contributing WriterHis caveat comes amid a public outcry for the dismissal of non-performing officials. Let me be clear, there will be no room for non-performers and under-achievers in this Government,” he stressed. President Weah said the well-being of citizens must be the hallmark by ensuring that the work across all sectors reflects such. President Weah instructed the Director General of Cabinet to monitor the performance of officials in the last months of the government’s rule to ensure productivity.

MONROVIA — The Musa Bility faction of the opposition Liberty Party (LP) has called on the National Elections Commission (NEC) to desist from doing business with its embattled Political Leader Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence on behalf of the party. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence was among those expelled from the office Political Leader/Legislative Caucus Member. As such, she is not authorized to act on behalf of the LP with the Commission. Consequently, we, therefore, request that the Commission refrains from addressing correspondence directed to Sen. Karngar-Lawrence using her former LP positions of Political Leader or LP Legislative Caucus Member. The above notwithstanding, she still retains membership in the LP under the category of ordinary member”.

Congo Town – The National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) over the weekend launched an initial US$250,000 empowerment project for people living with disabilities. Report by Jaheim T. TumuThe empowerment project is a US$500, 000.00 government initiative that is aimed at improving and sustaining the livelihood of persons living with disabilities across Montserrado County. Daintowon Domah Pay-Bayee, said persons living with disabilities should be joyful as the government made funds available to get them off the streets. Also making a remark, the head of persons with disabilities in rural Liberia, Sekou Neah, said that he’s glad for such a project that has never happened within the disabled community. Mr. Neah praised Madam Pay-Bayee for ensuring that the disabled community received such support.