YEKEPA, Nimba ̶ It was a joyous entry into the New Year 2022 for residents of Yekepa as ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) and local authorities officially commissioned recently installed solar streetlights in the Township. Working through an independent contractor, ArcelorMittal Liberia has been installing one hundred and fifty solar streetlights across the Township of Yekepa as part of ongoing efforts to improve the outlook of the area. Representative Somwarbi encouraged the community residents to ensure that the newly installed solar streetlights are well taken care of. Many residents of Yekepa have been speaking about the impact of the installation of the solar streetlights and the sense of security that it is creating. The installation of solar streetlights in Yekepa is one of several ongoing social and community development projects by ArcelorMittal Liberia.

Monrovia – Moses R. Quollin, the National Coordinator of the Liberia Forest Media Watch (LFMW) is calling stakeholders in the forest sector to find a way to alleviate some of the menaces that are hampering the growth and development of the sector. Giving LFMW’s progress report at the 2nd Meeting with editors and senior reporters the National Coordinator of the group outlined the many challenges faced by the forest sector. He added that there are 44 approved Community Forest Management Agreements (CFMA), covering 941,560 hectares. “Community forest management structures are weak and mismanagement of funds is often a problem. They are Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), Foundation for Community Initiative (FCI), Civil Society Independent Forest Monitor (CS-IFM), National Union of Community Forestry Development Committee (NUCFDC), National Union of Community Forest Management Body (NUCFMB) and Liberia Forest Media Watch (LFMW).

The Monrovia City Court has ordered the arrest of Alexander Cummings, standard bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), based on a complaint filed by the All Liberian Party (ALP). The ALP, which is wholly owned by businessman Benoni Urey, is suing his opposition compatriot for forgery and criminal conspiracy for alleged framework tampering. The writ of arrest, issued by Stipendiary Magistrate Jomah S. Jallah of the Monrovia City Court, comes just days after the ALP, via its National Executive Committee, voted to withdraw from the CPP. THIS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOUR LEGAL AND SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY AND HAVE YOU HAVE THERE THIS WRIT OF ARREST. It is worth noting that gains made by the CPP during the 2020 Senatorial election were achieved with Mr. Cummings at the helm of the CPP.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Liberian Party- ALP has mandated its National Chairman and Political Leader to effect an immediate withdrawal of the party from the Collaborating Political Parties - CPP. At the end of a long period of intense deliberation concerning the original purpose, intent , political interest and viability of the ALP's participation in the CPP, the EC , in its December 23, 2021 extra- ordinary sitting, voted in majority to pull out of the CPP. Additionally, the EC also decided that the ALP will seek legal action for the unlawful attachment of it's leaders' signatures to a filed ( with National Elections Commission ) July 14, 2020 photocopy version of what was purported to be an approved (by all parties of the CPP) Framework Agreement of the CPP. As per the process of pulling out of the CPP, the EC of the ALP cautioned the leadership of the party to exhaust all legal procedures in a timely manner as it effectuates the withdrawal process. Signed:______National Secretariat / ALP

US-based Liberian Infectious Diseases Expert, Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan has told a community COVID-19 vaccination promotion event that, “clinical scientific evidence have demonstrated that you can now take mix and match COVID-19 vaccines. "If you took Pfizer-BioNTech, you can take Moderna as your booster; if you took Moderna, you can take Pfizer-BioNTech as your booster; if you took AstraZeneca [in Liberia and other African countries and elsewhere], you can take either Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson-n-Johnson as your booster," says Dr. Nyan. Dr. Nyan made the statement in response to questions about booster vaccinations for those who took AstraZeneca in Liberia and other African countries where booster may not be available or are traveling to areas like the US where AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine [booster] is neither approved nor available. While Africa remains largely unaffected, COVID-19 infection in Europe and the United States has spiked again. Dr. Nyan is Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of Shufflex Biomed, leads the Diaspora COVID-19 Focus Group, and volunteers with the Maryland State Medical Reserve Corps which conducts COVID-19 vaccination, diagnostics, and pandemic awareness.

Monrovia – Some people with special needs or Disadvantaged, have stressed the need of getting empowerment skills as a mean of giving long term livelihood, instead of just getting handouts as goodwill gesture, occasionally. Their statement was made in separate remarks during the weekend, as they received Christmas package from the Sam-Enable Foundation. According to them, empowerment through business and skill empowerment that suit them will create a lasting solution to their needs, then always awaiting people before getting daily bread. He termed the festive distribution of assorted food items as a pilot project of a lasting initiative aimed at bringing hope and love to People with special needs. Sudieh said the vision bearer knows how it is being person with special need, since she also has similar experience.

Liberians seem to be overwhelming of the quest of their leader, President George Manneh Weah’s increased musical appetite with his latest beat for his Aide, Sekou Kalasco Damaro at his wedding making his musical chat to hit countless number. Since the release of his latest musical album this week, many have taken to the social media to critique the Liberian leader’s bid for musical instead of his constitutional authority to steer the affairs of Liberia at a nobly highest. Reacting to the President’s latest musical album, Liberians many of whom pondered over the reason behind the Liberian leader endless musical release amid young Liberian musicians quest to receive support for their professional career. Listen below the Liberian leader latest song dedicated to his Aide, Sekou Kalasco Damaro at his wedding. (Visited 148 times, 149 visits today)

MONROVIA – Special Presidential Aide to President George Manneh Weah, Sekou Kalasco Damaro Jomandy, has extolled the Liberian leader for the continual fatherly role he (President Weah) continues to play in his personal life. “Most importantly, Dad, I feel very proud as a son because, to date, my mother keeps shedding tears since the wedding. Thank you yah, Papa.” According to him, he remains grateful for everything President Weah has continued to do for him. Dad, I remain your son and will equally do everything a son does to make his parents (dad & mom) happy. During my wedding on 12/23/2021, the fatherly love was just too much for me, I am still overwhelmed and joyful.

However, the Bicentennial celebration is designed to show case the historical and cultural experiences of only the African group that came from the United States beginning in 1821. While it is good to celebrate but given the history of antagonism between the Indigenous Africans and the repatriated Africans from the U.S., care has to be taken that such celebration of the repatriated Africans does not contribute to further inflaming the antagonistic relationship between the two groups. Beginning in 1821, a small group of African Americans called settlers arrived at a location that later became known as Cape Montserrado. Each of these groups occupied its own territories. How do we locate the other African groups within the Bicentennial celebration?

The management of the Global News Network (GNN), publisher of www.gnnliberia.com an online news platform and a By-Weekly newspaper, GNN-Liberia is pleased to announce its yearly personality and institutions of the year for 2021 award. As usual, the management is requested the involvement of the general public to nominate individuals and institutions that have made headway during the year, 2021 under review; their contributions towards the growth and development of Liberia, and its people will keenly be observed in the selection process. The public must forward to us via this email: gnnliberia@gmail.com the reason why their nominee should be named as Personality of the Year – 2021 with all the justifications. Below are the categories for which they will be nominated, and subsequently awarded as GNN-Liberia personality and institution of the year – 2021. (Visited 53 times, 16 visits today)

MONROVIA – Over the past year, the Houston Sister City Committee has made great strides in facilitating a Houston-Monrovia Sister City relationship that will help strengthen trade and economic development between the two port cities. Mr. Moseley was quick to point out that Port Houston is the largest port on the Gulf Coast and the biggest port in Texas and that the Port of Houston has been instrumental in the city of Houston’s development for international trade. Honorable Meanwhile, Mr. Bill Twehway extended an official invitation to Port Houston officials to visit Liberia during the Houston-Atlanta Trade Mission scheduled for April 21-29, 2022. The National Port Authority (NPA)The Freeport of Monrovia is a landlord port that has concessions partnerships with APM Terminals, and other lease agreements with Firestone, China Union, and Western Cluster. Port HoustonFor more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country.

The passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of South Africa's leading anti-aparthied heroes, is an enormous loss to the global community. He was widely known for speaking fearlessly against the ills of society everywhere in the world, not just in South Africa. Archbishop Tutu will be remembered for speaking truth to power regardless of who was involved - be it the fearsome apartheid leaders, or those of the African National Congress that followed them or leaders around the world. Archbishop Tutu also served as head of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, focusing primarily on healing a devided nation. H. E. GEORGE MANNEH WEAH Sr.President of the Republic of Liberia

Loop Academies is thrilled to announce the launching of its first Model School (LAMS) in Liberia. The school’s content is specifically designed to prepare high school students with the skills that transition them into the workforce right out of high school. This model will prepare students to be change agents with the right character," Marvin R. Tarawally said. "This is the greatest challenge of the African continent.”The school said its curriculum is an excellent resource for developing work-based learning skills. It will foster collaboration and build the capacity to teach, give, and reimagine secondary education within and around Liberia.

The investigation found that the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission did not disclose her interest in TUMA Enterprises while presiding over the procurement committee. Before that, the electoral body chair was briefly detained and was later served the writ of arrest and the indictment, consistent with the law. Since the investigation, NEC and its chairperson have tried to refute claims of corruption, conflict of interest, and money laundering involving its Chairperson, Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, as levied against her by Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission. The electoral body, in a response, categorically denied a LACC investigative report that the NEC Chairperson admitted to a conflict of interest and other findings from the probe. We appeared before the LACC with our legal counsels, submitted the requested documents, along with written statements.

Antoinette Tubman Cheshire Home (ATCH) has called on the government, humanitarians and well-meaning citizens for financial support to keep the home running. It caters to individuals with cerebral palsy, especially children, and any other with physical and mental disabilities. The majority of these residents are mentally challenged; we have a committed catering staff that makes only US$30.00 dollars as take-home pay,” Browne revealed. CHESHIRE home, a charitable organization was named in honor of Mrs. Antoinette Louise Padmore Tubman, wife of former Liberian head of state Williams V. S. Tubman. It has been catering to the less fortunate in society, the society majority of whom were abandoned by their parents due to their deformity.