MONROVIA – Chief Cyril Allen, former chairman of the National Patriotic Party, has cautioned heads of functionaries of government that Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor is not “a handpicked weakling within the political dispensation to be manipulated and played with”. According to the chairman emeritus of the party, in the absence of NPP, no one can succeed in any political undertaking in this country. Chief Allen: “The basis of our strength is the unity in our party. It’s recognized all over the country that the NPP is the most politically broad-based party in this country. The NPP is strong and firm in its base.” – Chief Cyril Allen, Chairman Emeritus, NPP“If anyone does not want to be part of this leadership, let them leave us alone so that we can forge ahead.

Monrovia – Vote-rich Lofa, President George Manneh Weah’s hometown of Grand Kru and Gparpolu County will be the center of attention in this year’s Mid Term Senatorial elections in Liberia. Report by Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected]Former Defense Minister Brownie Samukai, Former Education Minister George Werner and former Finance Minister Amara Konneh appear poised to be major players in the upcoming elections. Vote-rich Lofa, President George Manneh Weah’s hometown of Grand Kru and Gparpolu County will be the center of attention in this year’s Mid-Term Senatorial elections in Liberia. The indictment accuses Minister Samukai and his deputy, Joseph Johnson and Comptroller, J. Nyumah Dorkor opened an account in the name of the “AFL Pension Account” at Ecobank Liberia with account number 1092-522-22-19. From the shadow of his legacy as the longest-serving Minister of National Defense in Liberia, B.J.

Office of the Vice President: “The Vice President is aware of the trust and confidence reposed in her by the Liberian people and will continue to serve with distinction.”MONROVIA – The Office of the Vice President has, amid speculations, clarified that Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor is committed to fulfilling her constitutional mandate and has therefore not resigned her post. And there were those in my office who would say, perhaps you were better in the Senator’s office. So, there’s no going back.” – Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor reponding to whether she ever considered resigning in an FPA exclusive interviewDuring the interview, the Vice President acknowledged that she has given the idea of resigning some thought in the past. And there were those in my office who would say, perhaps you were better in the Senator’s office. And there were those in my office who would say, perhaps you were better in the Senator’s office.

It is straightly a political football match or straightly a political sport. The County Meet has no bearing to FIFA or CAF. Nimba County in protest after been down 1-0 and a man less walked off of the pitch when a second penalty was awarded against them, something they considered as unfair. It is straightly a political football match or straightly a political sport. Declaring Grand Kru winnerGrand Kru County was crowned champions of the national county sports meet for the first time since 33- years in controversial style with a 1-0 victory over Nimba County.

The public hearing was aimed at inquiring about the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ decisions tosuspend Nimba County head coach, Murta Fofana and team manager, Musa Kromah, from participating in the county meet directly or indirectly for two years (2021-2023), levy the fine of US$1,500 on Nimba County, and declare Grand Kru County the winner of the 2019/2020 National County Sports Meet. If the match in question is the last match for the county being fined, deduction shall be made in the next allotment. After discussing with his colleagues, the Committee announced to submit findings of the investigation and recommendations. The Steering Committee indicated that the $US1,500 fine levied against Nimba County is considered unclear, and the Minister also, with no respect for the people of Nimba going ahead to describe the sons and daughters of that county as ‘hooligans,’ was unacceptable. Moving forward, the County Sports Steering Committee recommends to the County Authority (Local Government and Nimba County Legislative Caucus) for the following actions to be affected:“That Nimba withdraws from the County Sports Meet for the period five years and money allocated for such event be diverted to education, and that the county should reject paying a cent to the organizers of the County Sports Meet until the county is given due process.”

The two projects are the “Renewable Energy for Electrification of Liberia (REEL Project) and Support to Investment Promotion Agencies in Transition Countries”. Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, Jr. signed for the Government of Liberia, while the AfDB’s Liberia Country Manager, Dr. Orison M. Amu, signed for the Bank. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel D. Tweah, lauded the AfDB for supporting the government’s development agenda. For his part, AfDB Country Manager, Dr. Orison M. Amu, underscored that the Projects are in support of Liberia’s development agenda. The AfDB is also partnering with the National Investment Commission to improve and create a favorable business climate for more investment expansions in Liberia.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Liberia will today, January 30, 2020 donate a consignment of assorted agro-machines, vehicles, desktop computers, generators, and motorized water pumps among other assets – worth nearly US$155,000 to the Government of Liberia (GoL) as part of WFP’s country capacity strengthening support. The donation of the equipment and vehicles is in furtherance of WFP’s strategic assistance to the Government and people of Liberia in reaching farming populations through food production and nutrition assistance, building community resilience, and enhancing the capacity of the local farmers to manage their nutritious food needs. The equipment include one hard-top jeep and one double cabin pickup, 10 motorized water pumps, nine power tillers, one rice dryer, and 17 rice threshers. Others are six 5KVA generators, six desktop computers as well as 30 water discharge hoses and 15 floater wheel tires. Aaron Sleh, WFP’s Head of Support Services Unit and Officer-in-Charge said that the donation is in line with WFP’s country strategic plan that requires our Program to help strengthen capacities of national and sub-national institutions of government.

For the past one week drivers and petty traders of gasoline (can-boys) line up in long queues at major petroleum stations to purchase gasoline for use in the vehicles or resale at their local stations. “We have three million gallons of gasoline available for distribution beginning tomorrow and we expect that it will ease the current situation in the country,” Minister Tarpeh said. This is intended to help us address situations whenever there is a need for it,” Minister Tarpeh said. I personally saw the product while visiting the NPA Wednesday, January 29, 2020,” Minister Tarpeh said. He continued: “we stopped gas stations from selling to can-boys because they (can-boys) were involved in selling the gas three to four times the price purchased from gas stations.

— Senator GrupeeSenator Thomas S. Grupee of Nimba County says citizens not to be a “belly driven” voters come October 2020 Special Senatorial Election. “We have so many white teeth, black heart, deceitful politicians, who will be coming to you with bags of rice; in fact with stolen money — money of your own,” he said in a loud voice, followed by an applause from the crowd. He told them to be very careful, because these deceitful politicians will come at the eleventh hour of the campaign and dump money on the voters in order to win. “If am a good leader, I should not lead you in harmful way or mislead you in any way. Senator Grupee still remains one of the formidable candidates in the coming senatorial election slated for October this year.

The Public Health Initiative of Liberia (PHIL), a not-for-profit organization, has launched a cervical (uterus) cancer program for women to raise public awareness on the need for cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer, according to its definition, is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. She said screening is crucial to early diagnosis and prevention of cervical cancer and, as such, PHIL is advocating for the political will and commitment in the fight against cervical cancer. She said: “Many women with cervical cancer don’t realize they have the disease early on, because it usually doesn’t cause symptoms until the late stages. When symptoms do appear, they’re easily mistaken for common conditions like menstrual periods and urinary tract infections.”She disclosed that PHIL has also embark on a cost-effective cervical cancer screening program using the “See and Treat approach” to prevent cervical cancer among women in the country.

While in the meeting, Governor Tarlue reiterated his desire of working with commercial banks in the country to ease some of the problems in the banking system. Although he said the banking sector is safe and sound, the CBL Executive Governor highlighted several operational challenges which remain inimical to the performance of the banking sector. Governor Tarlue lauded the institutions for their continued support and understanding during the December festive season. “Without your support, the situation could have gotten out of hand.” Executive Governor Tarlue recalled. The CBL, he said, will continue to support all efforts by the commercial banks geared toward digital banking.

MONROVIA – The Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, Hon. J. Aloysius Tarlue, has reiterated his desire of working with commercial banks in the country to ease some of the problems in the banking system. Although he said the banking sector is safe and sound, the CBL Executive Governor highlighted several operational challenges which remain inimical to the performance of the banking sector. “Without your support, the situation could have gotten out of hand.” Executive Governor Tarlue recalled. The CBL, he said will continue to support all efforts by the commercial banks geared toward digital banking.

MONROVIA – First Lady Clar Marie Weah has expressed delight over the tremendous progress being made at the ongoing construction of the City of Hope project in Marshall, Margibi County. The City of Hope Project, which is being constructed by Mrs. Weah’s Foundation- the Clar Hope Foundation, is a massive facility to serve as a home, school, vocational training and rehabilitation center for less fortunate Liberians. According to her, the project is being named City of Hope because, when completed, it would give the younger ones hope of a better Liberia though education. The City of Hope project includes dormitories, school building, vocation and recreational training centers among others. Clar Hope Foundation is a non-political initiative aimed at creating an equitable society in Liberia where women and children are healthy, educated and fully empowered to lead a prosperous life.

Orison M. Amu and Hon Samuel D. Tweah Jr signed the Financing Agreement for Renewable Energy Electricity in LiberiaMONROVIA – The Government of Liberia and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed Financing Agreements for two Projects valued over US$33 million. The two projects are the “Renewable Energy for Electrification of Liberia (REEL Project) and Support to Investment Promotion Agencies in Transition Countries”. Samuel D. Tweah, Jr. signed for the Government of Liberia, while the AfDB’s Liberia Country Manager, Dr. Orison M. Amu signed for the Bank. The TSF Project will support the Government of Liberia’s efforts in improving the business environment and investment climate. For his part, AfDB Country Manager, Dr. Orison M. Amu underscored that the Projects are in support of Liberia’s development agenda.

WE AGREE with the Collaborating Political Parties that countries in the region would have suffered similar fate with Liberia if the global economic crisis is to be blamed for Liberia’s less than 1 percent economic growth for the year 2019. GHANA’S ECONOMIC growth for 2019 was in the neighborhood of 7.6 percent. Rather, massive corruption and outright stealing by government officials, mismanagement of government resources, incompetence to implement economic growth and job creation policies and reckless spending by the President are among the reasons for economic hardship. WE TOOK KEEN note of the reality that while Liberia’s economy continued to slump, President Weah continued to travel on a private jet with a large entourage. LIBERIA HAS been in existence for 173 years, yet remains one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.