PLP’s Cassell to Address Liberian Journalists in US
His address will dwell on the ALJA 2021 convention’s theme, The Quest for an Independent, Sustainable, and Ethical Media in Liberia. There will be local officials of the State of New Jersey including the Mayor of Trenton, Reed Gusciora, current and retired Liberian journalists, politicians, and US based Liberian community leaders. ALJA is a conglomeration of current and retired Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. Others include Peter Quaqua, President of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and Joe Bartuah, former Managing Editor of The News Newspaper in Liberia. Following the service, the 2021 convention activities will wrap-up with a farewell cookout at the home of the chairman of the ALJA 2021 Convention Committee, Peter Massaquoi, in Hamilton, New Jersey.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 17, 2021 05:08 UTC
University of Liberia Releases Second Entrance Results; Promises VIP Treatment for Four Top Scoring Successful Candidates
In recognition of the high performance of four top successful candidates during the exam, the University has promised to give them VIP treatment for their enrollment and stay at the university. The second entrance results reflect higher performance by female candidates with a total of 1,363 constituting 43.35 percent making a pass out of the total successful candidates of 2,739. Additionally, a total of 203 candidates wrote the Graduate School Aptitude Test out of whom 131 or 64.53% candidates made a successful pass. Of the 16 successful candidates, five (9 or 56.25%) candidates are males while seven (7 or 43.75%) are females. Prof. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., hailed the successful candidates, and particularly the four students who topped the university entrance exams.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 17, 2021 05:03 UTC
Young Scholars of Liberia Thrill Hundreds with Poems For Peace
This year, the Liberian Chapter of the World Poetry Movement (WPM) chose September 11 for the World Poetry Celebration. The event was organized by Dr. Wesley, who is also founder of the Young Scholars of Liberia (YSL) and National Coordinator of the World Poetry Movement (WPM) in Liberia in collaboration with the Better Future Foundation (BFF). Gerald B. Coleman, former TRC Commissioner, expressed delight that young Liberian scholars are using literary writings including poems, fiction and nonfiction to advocate for world peace and progress. The World Poetry Movement (WPM), is the coordination of worldwide organizations and poets: international poetry festivals, educational projects and poetry publishing houses. It is within this context that Dr. Wesley organized this event; hosted and implemented by Better Future Foundation.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 17, 2021 05:03 UTC
Sale of Tickets Suspended for Marketers at Omega
The Government of Liberia has with immediate effect suspended the sale of tickets, from which the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) generates millions of dollars from marketers, for three months. “The committee is charged with the responsibility to ensure that the sale of table tickets by any person or institution is suspended for 3 months and there is no selling of land space to marketers at the Omega market,” says a statement from the Executive Mansion. The Omega Market has in recent days been a frustrating and disastrous ground for marketers who were relocated there, as the area is a wetland and has no warehouses or toilet facilities. President Weah pledged the government’s commitment to collect and dispose of solid waste from the Omega Market and maintain good sanitary conditions through an all-inclusive and participatory approach. According to the release, the government, with the help of the market sellers, looks forward to full cooperation to achieve this significant goal for the sustainability and local ownership of the Omega market.
Source:Daily Observer
September 17, 2021 04:52 UTC
Cities Alliance’s Cleanup Campaign Gives Paynesville Facelift
Paynesville – Cities Alliance’s Community Cleanup Campaign launched recently in Liberia is making instant impact, if testimonies from residents of Paynesville and visual pieces of evidence are anything to go by. The program promotes climate resilient solid waste practices through community engagement, sanitization, and awareness to community dwellers who were also actively involved in cleanup process. Theophilus Gippley, Program Assistant of CEMESP expressed delight of working with the communities in keeping their respective communities clean. A clean community is every community resident’s responsibility,” Mr. Manjoe noted. The cleanup campaign exercises were preceded by community forums at which time community members received training in proper solid waste management practices and the importance of Community Based Enterprises (CBEs) in the solid waste management process.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 17, 2021 03:13 UTC
Pressure Mounts On Street Sellers at Red Light Market Amid COVID-19
Monrovia– When the government through the Ministry of Public works on Sunday, July 10, 2021, demolished market stalls at Red Light and ordered street sellers to move to Omega market in Paynesville, police officers were assigned to make sure that these sellers do not come back to sell. “The police will take action against people who will just refuse to leave the Red Light when they are not supposed to be there and that is exactly what we are doing,” Carter said. He described the sellers as violators who are opposing the government’s mandate and as such, the police will exert all efforts to discourage the sellers from Red Light. “The police are taking strenuous action against people who will just refuse to leave the Red Light when they are not supposed to be there and that is exactly what we are doing. When the government relocated street sellers and other marketeers from Red Light to the Omega Market, many considered it a major achievement for the Weah administration.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 17, 2021 03:00 UTC
GSA Director Lauded for Luring More People to Get COVID-19 Vaccines
As calls for more people to get vaccinated intensify, the Director of the General Service Agency (GSA), Madam Mary T. Broh launched a certain strategy to convince more people to get inoculated. Unlike other vaccination centers where there is no special preference for senior citizens, the GSA vaccine center does give preferential treatment. The vaccines are administered by the staff of the Ministry of Health but the GSA supervises the process. “I advise people to come to GSA,” Madam Coleman said. People shouldn’t be afraid to take the vaccine because it is good and safe for people.”Like Madam cooper, the GSA Director also warns against “those spreading misinformation about the vaccines” to desist.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 17, 2021 02:48 UTC
Liberia: Nimba Citizens Protest Amendment of ArcelorMittal MDA
MONROVIA – A group of citizens from Nimba County have presented a petition to their Legislative Caucus through Representative Prince Tokpah detesting the recent agreement entered into by the Government of Liberia and ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) to extend existing Mineral Development Agreement by additional 25 years. In their petition presented Wednesday, September 15 2021, the citizens categorically and unequivocally denounced, rejected, objected to and resisted the extension of the MDA with AML, until the steel company can demonstrate and prove its compliance with the current terms and condition of the MDA. ; be considered and assured prior to any amendment and/or extensionThe citizens also want any future amendment to the MDA must be done in compliance with community rights as enshrined in the Land Rights Act; prior requirements of notice and publication of a feasibility report that sets out the basis for extension as stated in the current MDA. Also, in their petition the citizens said, in the interest of inter-generational equity: “We oppose any grant of mineral extraction above the current limit of five million tons per annum. “In consideration of the above, we the Citizens and Stakeholders of Nimba County call on the Nimba County Legislative Caucus to work with other members of the 54th National Legislature to ensure that the above counts, and other conditions set forth in the MDA, be included in the proposed third amendment to the MDA.”
Source:Front Page Africa
September 16, 2021 07:27 UTC
Liberia: Unity Chairman Modad Refutes ANC’s Cummings’s Illegal Endorsement Claims
Monrovia – Unity Party National Chairman, Amin Modad has debunked claims made by the Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress that the UP recent ceremony aimed at endorsing ex-Vice President Joseph Boakai as the party’s choice for the CPP impending convention was illegal. In a letter to Chairman Modad, stating why he turned down the UP invitation to grace the ceremony, Mr. Alexander B. Cummings said he could not attend because the process was illegal and violated the framework that established the Collaborating Political Party (CPP). However, Chairman Modad, in response to Mr. cummings, said the Unity Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decision was not a violation of the CPP framework. He continued: “How much more profoundly democratic, inclusive, and accountable could the process have been, than the unanimous vote of confidence received by the entire NEC? “A wrong is a wrong regardless of who commits it, including myself.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 16, 2021 06:56 UTC
Three Key Elements For Bringing Citizens To The Center Of Democratic Governance
Global experiences indicate that to make this shift to deepen citizen engagement, it is essential that citizens have trust in the systems of governance. Both measures have created platforms that give voice to local people, and the latter facilitates greater participation in governance. This point leads me to the second important element for engaging citizens in democratic processes: the availability of accountability mechanisms. Citizens’ participation and accountability mechanisms help achieve the third element – responsive governance. But responsive governance also requires capacity within the State to facilitate citizens’ demands, and to provide effective solutions in the form of policies, programmes and projects.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 16, 2021 06:22 UTC
LGBTQ Liberian Fired from High Profile US Job
David had spent most of his adult life in America’s North East where LGBTQ rights, including marriage, are well protected and gay people are widely accepted. “Given my roots in Liberia, I am especially grateful to see vigilant advocacy for LGBTQ rights in Liberia and other parts of the continent. LGBTQ Liberians continue to face widespread threats, assault, harassment, and hate speech, according to the 2020 U.S. State Department Human Rights report. “Of course I wish he could have used his platform to bring to light issues affecting the LGBTQ community here.”There is no indication that any leaders in the LGBTQ community in Liberia reached out to David before his dismissal. The election of U.S. President Joe Biden with a promise of protection of LGBTQ communities worldwide ignited a glimmer of hope for the Liberian gay community.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 16, 2021 06:22 UTC
Witnesses Insist Massaquoi Was in Liberia in Last Days of War
The witness said the first time he saw Massaquoi was in 2003 among other generals. Many Liberian witnesses had told the court the same story in hearings held here in March and April. As with earlier witnesses in Liberia, today’s witnesses gave inconsistent testimonies and Massaquoi’s defence lawyer made the most of it. He said World War One and Two (sequence of wars in 2003 in Liberia) occurred in June and lasted for one week each. He said the third phase of the war – World War Three - began early July 2003 and lasted into August.
Source:Daily Observer
September 16, 2021 02:48 UTC
Witness Protection at the Special Court for Sierra Leone Under Scrutiny at Massaquoi Trial
“I saw Angel Gabriel many times,” said witness “X6” codenamed by the court to protect him from reprisals. He said he met Angel Gabriel at General Bokari’s house and on the war front. If the Finnish court finds that is what happened, it will have raise serious questions for the Special Court which convicted more than a dozen combatants from the Sierra Leone civil war. Whether we like it or not, the Finnish Trial of Massaquoi is undertaking an audit of the Sierra Leone Special Court’s application of international law, particularly the practice and enforcement of its witness protection scheme. And the killer said he was ordered by Angel Gabriel to carry on the execution,” the witness said.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 16, 2021 00:37 UTC
Gov’t Secures Funding To Tackle Coastal Erosion …In Sinoe
Greenville, Sinoe County capital which is situated about 150 miles from Monrovia, faces serious threats due to coastal erosion. Greenville City has a population of over 16, 434 people. During the GEF’s Country Dialogue in 2019, there was an agreement that the allotment be used to address coastal erosion in Greenville City. According to him, the growing wave of coastal erosion is now affecting Liberia’s third port city of Greenville, Sinoe County. Prof. Tarpeh indicated that nine out of the fifteen counties are along the coast and all the coastal cities are being affected by coastal erosion.
Source:Daily Observer
September 15, 2021 23:15 UTC
Might MCC Bend Rules for Liberia?
Senator Lindsey Graham promises to rally support for Liberia’s second MCC bid, in spite of the country’s sub-par performance 3 years in a rowInfluential U.S. The MCC Development Assistance is a U.S. government foreign aid program that provides beneficiary countries time-bound grants which are targeted at ensuring economic growth, reducing poverty and strengthening governmental institutions. He said once a country is deemed eligible by MCC, it enters into a period of compact development, which can take up to two years. After the compact development phase and the approval of a compact program, MCC and the beneficiary country will enter into negotiations leading to another signed five-year compact. If Liberia’s performance continues to improve, eligibility for a second compact is possible since a country needs to pass 10 out of 20 indicators.
Source:Daily Observer
September 15, 2021 15:09 UTC