Liberia: National Civil Society Council Calls On Government To Outsource Covid-19 Testing
Monrovia – In the wake of health officials’ admittance that some testing agents are receiving bribe to change the results of people testing positive for COVID-19, the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) has called on the Government of Liberia to immediately outsource the testing processes to a more professional and trusted group like the World Health Organization to stop people from dying unnecessarily. This, the council believes, will give Liberians and its international partners confidence in the handling of the COVID-19 situation on the ground. The NCSCL: “It would make the world to know that, like other countries around us, Liberia is serious about our fight against this deadly virus. Speaking on the issue for the first time, the Civil Society Council said it is troubled and appalled by the revelation made by NPHIL, alluding to the unprofessional, unethical and dangerous practice of extortion and fraud in the national COVID-19 testing and results processes. The Council said this is more compelling when global health experts are predicting terrible future for the African people in the face of the fight on COVID-19.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 28, 2021 08:26 UTC
Sixteen Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia to get Simulation Training in Northern Michigan
Sixteen Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia to get Simulation Training in Northern MichiganBARCLAY TRAINING CENTER – Personnel of Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) for the first time have converged in Northern Michigan, United States of America, for an annual war simulation training exercise known as Northern Strike. The yearly training exercise simulates “a realistic wartime environment” and focuses on expeditionary skills, command and control, sustainment and joint-integrated fires. Operation Northern Strike is a joint training (air, ground, and sea) and multinational exercise involving diverse scenarios of different settings. AFL’s participation in Northern Strike will enhance its Operational Capabilities. The Michigan National Guard began hosting Northern Strike in 2012.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 27, 2021 23:15 UTC
Liberia: 'Don't Question the President's Covid-19 Vaccine Status'
Monrovia — Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah has cautioned Liberians to come out and take the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and stop asking questions about President George Weah’s COVID-19 vaccine status. Dr. Jallah: “So this persistence on whether or not the President will take the vaccine is the President’s prerogative. Fighting COVID-19 and staying alive is an individual task as well as a collective task as a country, she says. Liberia 96,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX facility on April 1, 2021, and joined many countries to officially launch the vaccination campaign against COVID-19. Adding up, Dr. Jallah disclosed that 86,288 persons have taken only one dose of the vaccine.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 27, 2021 10:41 UTC
Liberia: NTA Managing Director Extends Apology to Employees; Promises to Improve Welfare
The NTA is an autonomous agency of the Government of Liberia (GOL) that is responsible for public transportation service. Mr. McCauley admitted to “issues” being at the entity but disclosed that the management team has been striving to address those issues. Mr. McCauley added that each employee and contractor was given a bag of rice to celebrate the Independence Day. Mr. McCauley attributed the delay in the addressing numerous claims made by the aggrieved employees and contractors to financial constraints that have engulfed the entity over the years. Following the action, it was perceived and reported that Mr. McCauley was arrested and handcuffed.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 27, 2021 10:30 UTC
Liberia: Senate Seeks Clarity From The Minister Of Heath On Claims That Lawmakers Collected Money For “Undefined Purposes”
The action of the Senate’s Plenary was based on communication written by River Gee County Senator Jonathan Boycharles Sogbie. Upon hearing about the donation, the Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah wrote the Head of the Montserrado County Health Team, Dr. Yatta Wapoe, to return the US$7,500 donated by Senator Dillion. The decision by the Senate was triggered by a communication from Rivergee County Senator, Jonathan Boycharles Sogbie. Zargo finally takes on Security committee from Prince JohnsonIn a related Senate news, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate on Thursday elected Lofa County Senator, Steve J.H. Senator Zargo was elected Thursday July 22, 2021 on a white ballot, weeks following the resignation of Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson as Chairman of said committee.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 27, 2021 10:29 UTC
Liberia: ‘Do not take J & J Vaccine If You Have Taken Astrazeneca’ – Health Minister Warns
MONROVIA – Health Minister Dr. Wilhemina Jallah has warned against taking the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine for those who have already taken the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Jallah told the press that the vaccine is a donation from the U.S. government and it didn’t cost the government of Liberia any money. “These vaccines are for those who have never taken Covid-19 vaccine; if you have taken the vaccine please allow the others to take theirs. She also announced that the government of Liberia is also expecting vaccines from Europe under the World Health Organization project. ‘The 302,400 doses are part of the Biden-Harris Administration commitment to share US vaccine supply with the world.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 27, 2021 10:13 UTC
Dr. Daniel Cassell Urges Liberians to Unify their Thinking and Actions for A Better Liberia
Dr. Cassell noted that in the midst of these challenges confronting Liberia and its citizens, Liberians should continue to hold together and bear in mind that there is “strength in unity” to combat those difficulties and ills in society. Dr. Cassell noted that the day is a reminder of the efforts needed in maintaining unity, nationalism and cultural identity in the country. Dr. Cassell maintained that though these commonalities have united Liberia and its citizens for several decades, there are issues that appear to divide citizens. Dr. Cassell added that despite the situation, Liberians should continue to hold together and fight for unity and the liberation of the nation. Dr. Cassell noted that citizens should stand up and form a “united force” through their behavior, attitude, actions and spirit if the country is to move forward in terms of growth and development.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 27, 2021 09:56 UTC
Scale-Up Seaweed into The Global Food System to Address Nutrition Challenges, Improve Livelihood, and Reduce GHG Emission
We need to focus on diet, and this will require an urgent transformation of the food system which provides the diet. It is at this point we call for the insertion and scaling up of Seaweed into the food system. The protein concentration in Seaweed- especially red seaweed- can be up to 47% and the vitamins in seaweed can provide health benefits including decreasing blood pressure, preventing cardiovascular diseases, or reducing the risk of cancer. For obesity, we have seen evidence of how seaweed- especially brown seaweed- could inhibit weight gain, prevent obesity, and save people battling obesity from the high costs and hazardous side effects of anti-obesity drugs. For example, Seaweed can reduce ocean acidification and when used in animal feed, reduce methane emission from cattle by 82%.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 27, 2021 09:04 UTC
Liberia: Miss Earth 2021 Kick-Off Mask-Up Campaign; Distribute Face Masks And Detergent To Residents Of Rural Communities
MONROVIA – For many Liberians in hard-to-reach rural areas, having access to face masks is a luxury that they can’t easily afford. In these rural areas, the price of face masks is always triple the amount in the urban area. For this, Odella Flomo, the reigning Queen of Miss Earth Liberia has embarked on a campaign to donate reusable marks to rural communities’ residents. Additionally, Miss Flomo who is also Liberia’s Environmental Ambassador donated detergents, Hand sanitizers, Soap, and some Food items to residents of these areas. The donation was done in partnership with La Queen Entertainment, the organizer of Miss Earth Liberia, the National Port Authority, and the Weah Project.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 26, 2021 15:00 UTC
President Weah’s Message on Liberia’s 174th Independence Day Celebration
Since that momentous day, the Declaration of Independence has been commemorated as an important national milestone in the history of our Country. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:The theme of this year’s celebration is:“Together, We Are Stronger: Fighting COVID 19 and Achieving Development, Peace, Human Rights, Justice, Health and Prosperity for All”. I must now take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the National Orator of the Day, Rev. In spite of the negative impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic, we have ensured that the national development agenda is not derailed. Again, let me use this occasion to wish a happy Independence Day to all citizens at home and abroad.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 26, 2021 13:18 UTC
Liberia: Lawmakers Receive Another US$15k for Personal Project Despite Public Rebuke
MONROVIA – Members of the Legislature have begun receiving the remainder of the US$30,000 budgeted for legislative engagements despite public outcry and rebuke for receiving the first half of the amount last month. The PFM Law provides that all disbursing and receiving entities, and individuals, must account for public monies disbursed, received, and or entrusted into their care. Instead, the money, according to the Senate, is geared towards the support to their initiatives in their various counties. Hence, both the members of the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate represent every single citizen in every part of Liberia. He said, “This money is not personal benefits for lawmakers, it is not added to our personal benefits.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 16, 2021 08:25 UTC
Liberia: Council of Churches Terms Govt. Officials’ Flamboyant Display of Wealth on Social Media as “Crazy and Insensitive”
“The people who do that (show wealth on social media) are insensitive. He noted that Liberians should rise up and compel their government to discourage its public officials from extravagantly spending and wasting tax payers’ monies. When quizzed on what the Council makes of reports that President George Manneh Weah has not taken the Coronavirus vaccine in the public, Bishop Brown stated: “You should ask him (laughing). He emphasized that leaders in Liberia should show examples even though the taking of the Covid-19 vaccine is being done voluntarily. The taking of the vaccine is a voluntary engagement but, when you are in leadership you have to volunteer or show example.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 16, 2021 08:19 UTC
Liberia: Senate Wants President Weah Apologize to War Victims in Line with TRC Recommendations
The recommendation was among several other requests derived by the Senate after three weeks of hearing that solicited expert opinions on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). In September 2019, President Weah asked the Legislature to advise him on the implementation of the TRC’s recommendations that include the setting up of a war crimes court. In addition, the TJC will examine the pros and cons of establishing a war crimes court in Liberia, and whether to amend the Constitution to address the many legal issues that could hinder the establishment of a war and economics crimes court. Some Senators who support the establishment of a war crimes court were concerned about timing and funding. Other Senators held to the belief that the establishment of a Transitional Justice Commission is the best way forward.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 16, 2021 08:03 UTC
Liberian Musical Artist Brownskin Breaks through with her Latest “Merry Go Round” Music Worldwide
Kendolen Kebbeh Kennedy, alias Brownskin is known in the music industry for her classic talent in the Liberian AfrobeatsMonrovia — Kendolen Kebbeh Kennedy, alias Brownskin is known in the music industry for her classic talent in the Liberian Afrobeats. Shortly after, she embarked upon a mission to revolutionize the Liberian music industry, which has had little or no impact on representation in the greater Afrobeats arena. In May of 2021, Brownskin’s management announced collaboration between her and one of her idols, Teni the Entertainer on a single entitled, ‘Merry Go Round’. This track has put Liberian music in the spotlight and has made it clear to the rest of the world that Liberian music is evolving. “The song, Merry Go Round addresses the continuous struggle women endure when searching for serious relationships with men.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 16, 2021 07:52 UTC
When Development Planning, Engineering and Political Will intersect: The Case Study of the Relocation of the Red-light Market to Omega
There is evidently a need to seek out a point of convergence between engineering, development planning, and political decision-making. How would the market relocation affect crime rate and other social vices in the Omega area and how can this impact, if any be mitigated by the new market project? What other opportunities for economic development, light manufacturing, market access, market linkages and market integration can be created by the market relocation which can be exploited by this project? To what extent will the market relocation affect the quality of life in Omega Community as a residential district? This is how the theory and practice of development planning is thought in universities.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 16, 2021 07:47 UTC