Liberia: CENTAL Questions LACC’s Vice Chairperson’s Credibility Over Series of Allegations Linking Him Corruption
Gbala’s leave of absence an acknowledgment of conflict? Gbala’s leave points to a potential conflict in the matter. The LACC’s internal investigation into the matter cited only ‘administrative lapses’ regarding the Vice Chairperson’s transactions and fell short of concluding that corruption had occurred. Widespread allegations of corruption of public sector corruption does very little to increase public and stakeholders’ confidence in the governance process. “A better Liberia is only assured when corruption is robustly and sincerely fought with the required resources, commitment, political will, and citizens’ participation!” it added.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 01, 2021 08:08 UTC
ICampus Liberia, Ministry of Commerce & Industries, UNDP Liberia Launch Growth Accelerator Program Liberia
A key factor contributing to poverty in Liberia is limited access to sustainable and viable income-generating opportunities. This initiative kicked off on Tuesday, 31, with the launch of the initiative and the application process for interested entrepreneurs; closing the application process by the 10th of September 2021, ending the first phase of the Growth Accelerator Liberia. The Accelerator is being set up to support growth stage and established businesses that are viable, effective and impactful, particularly in accelerating economic growth and activity amid COVID19 recovery efforts. Dorsla D. Farcarthy, UNDP’s Liberia Assistant Country Rep and Team Leader, speaking at the event, said Growth Accelerator Liberia is inviting Liberian Businesses, but especially entrepreneurs in Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape Mount, Lofa, Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Nimba and Sinoe counties to apply. He noted that the growth accelerator, is a proven model that works; and Accountability Lab has helmed similar programs that continue be impactful.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 01, 2021 08:03 UTC
Liberia: U.S. Ambassador Holds Acquaintance Meeting with Auditor General
MONROVIA – United States Ambassador Michael A. McCarthy has paid a courtesy call on Auditor General P. Garswa Jackson as part of his acquaintance meetings with various stakeholders among anti-graft Institutions in the fight against corruption in the Public Sector. The Meeting between the two officials seeks to strengthen continual partnership between the United States Government and the General Auditing Commission in its efforts to promote accountability of public resources across National Government. AG Jackson assured Ambassador McCarthy of the GAC’s commitment to enhanced integrity, transparency and professionalism in the conduct of audits of public fund. He noted that the GAC is currently piloting a project titled “Citizen Eye”, which will serve as an informed national platform for championing whistleblowing activities in Liberia. In remarks, Ambassador Michael McCarthy described the work of the Commission as inspiring and comprehensive and assured the Auditor General of the United States Government’s commitment to supporting the Commission in mitigating some of the challenges being experienced at the Commission.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 01, 2021 07:56 UTC
Liberia: Thomas Fallah University Becoming A University of Preferred Choice
MONROVIA – Situated in the densely populated Paynesville district is this gigantic structure name and style the Thomas P. Fallah University. It is a state of the art piece of architecture it is a name given after the CEO a members of the House of Representative Thomas P. Fallah. At first sight, you get the good impression of wanting to go to school if you are not or haven’t. He is a Liberian and is an Associate Professor in politics and International Political economy at the University of Liberia. He currently runs the international relations program the ‘IBB’ at the University of Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 01, 2021 07:46 UTC
Liberia: For Government’s Attention: Disabled People Talk “Radical Approach”, Other Matters
NUOD, currently headed by Madam Naomi B. Harris, is AIFO’s major partner in the community of disabled groups. On the side of its host Government, AIFO is working with the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD)AIFO is also sponsoring radio programs for Liberia’s disabled community to share their experiences and contribute to national development. He indicated that each of these methods is aimed at calling attention of officials of the County’s authority (of Government’s appointees) and the County’s representatives in the National Legislature. “All advocacies of disabled persons or group against violations of the rights at work places, other areas should be done in the confines of the laws of Liberia.,” advised Mr. Dempster, a popular Human Rights activist in post-war Liberia. Sign Language Interpretations were provided by from Mr. Benjamin Nathan of Liberia Sign Language Training Program; and Madam Agatha Yah Borbor of Association of Liberia Sign Language Interpreters.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 01, 2021 07:41 UTC
Government, ‘Sanitation and Water for All’ Vow to Improve Liberia’s WASH Sector at Country-Level Self-Assessment
MONROVIA – The Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) in collaboration with the Liberian WASH sector has completed a two-day Country-Level Self-Assessment with a pledge to ensure an inclusive participatory and timely process of the country monitoring indicators on WASH.SWA is a global partnership committed to achieving universal access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation. Over the years, the it has been working with major stakeholders in Liberia including the Government, CSOs and the private sector to improve the WASH sector by building political will for WASH, use of multi-stakeholder approaches and strengthening systems and increasing financial investments. And we want to thank the WASH Commission for the standard they have set,” said Rep. Zahnwea. During the workshop, Mr. Kpeh, and Co-facilitator, Eugene Caine of WASH Commission led the participants in reviewing the six indicators. The discussion centered around the political will on WASH, MS platforms, link with other sectors, progress on commitments, finance and targeting inequalities.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 01, 2021 07:36 UTC
Poetic Society Launches 1st Non-fiction: “Unforgotten August”
Monrovia – The Liberia Poet Society (LPS) has launched its first non-fiction, titled “Unforgotten August.” The literary piece was written by one of LPS’ members, Sunnie Antonio Marcar Jr. Marcar did his beautiful piece amidst an unfriendly literary environment. Marcar Jr. launched the ‘Unforgotten August’ on Sunday, August 29, at SMART Liberia, 2nd Street Sinkor in Monrovia. ‘Unforgotten August’ is a narrative non-fiction that highlights the severe damage that the Ebola epidemic had on one particular family in Kakata, Margibi County. ‘What’s next’ was the question probed by Dwede Tarpeh to the author and in response, the author stated: ‘The publication of more books is next’. The launch was made possible through the instrumentality of LPS’ book launch team headed by Marjorie Nenneh Graham, Linda Kai, Momodu Gray and Jumah A.P.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 01, 2021 07:31 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah Dedicates 14 Military Hospital Today
BARCLAY TRAINING CENTER – President George Manneh Weah will on September 1, 2021 open the historic 14 Military Hospital at the Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks in Schiefflin, Margibi County. The 14 Military Hospital will provide Out-patient Services, Obstetric services, General Surgical Services and Emergency Services. It can be recalled that on February 11, 2018, while addressing servicemen and women during the 61st Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia, President Weah promised to construct a 200-bedroom Military Hospital for use by military and Para-military personnel. Some of the equipment at the hospital include two Intensive Care Unit ambulances, medical devices, laboratory equipment, emergency department equipment, obstetrics equipment, surgical equipment and out-patient equipment. The 14 Military Hospital sits on just 5 of 75 acres allotted.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 01, 2021 03:22 UTC
Liberia: CSOs Call On Pres. Weah To Fast Track The Submission And Passage Of A Revenue Sharing Bill
Monrovia – The Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, Integrity Watch-Liberia, and the Legislative Information Service (LIS) are, in a joint release, calling on President Weah to fast track the submission and passage of a Revenue Sharing Bill in fulfillment of Chapter 4 of the Local Government Act (2018). As Liberians’ quests for sustainable development heightens, there is no better time than now for revenue sharing imperatives between central government and local government to address development and social inequalities. NAYMOTE, IW-L and the LIS opine that with the signing of the Local Government Bill into law, which authorizes implementation of decentralization of governance consistent with the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance, a specific law on revenue sharing will serve as significant bolster to actual decentralization efforts in Liberia. With the local government Act in effect and establishment operation of county service centers, there is a need to develop a strategy that enables local governments to access direct funding for their counties to support development projects; something a revenue sharing mechanism, such as a Revenue Sharing ACT will achieve. True and genuine decentralization anchored on revenue sharing is pivotal to national reconciliation, peace building and sustainable development, NAYMOTE, IW-L and LIS stressed.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 31, 2021 19:52 UTC
Weah’s Presidency: “An Accident in Liberia’s Stewardship”
When the history of the Liberian presidency is written, President George Manneh Oppong Weah’s tenure would surely go down as an “accident”. Mr. Weah is Liberia’s 25th president, but he’s the least political leader in terms of performance the country has produced in recent record. Before his election in 2017 as President, Mr. Weah served Montserrado, Liberia’s most populated county as senator, but his presence in the senate was rarely felt. Also, within the period of six months of his presidency, Mr. Weah commenced renovation work on his once dilapidated Jamaica Resort situated on the RIA Highway. The CDC administration is known for cherry picking when enforcing the rule of law, or prosecuting cases of alleged corruption.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 31, 2021 18:43 UTC
Witnesses Recuse Themselves in NSA Murder Case; Claim Prosecuting Leader Is Playing Role of Defense Counsel
FrontPageAfrica gathered from some of the witnesses (names withheld) J. Adolphus Karnuah that they would not testify as long as Cllr. Defendant Sampson Pennue has pleaded not guilty to the crime of murder and he is currently enjoying a bail granted him despite being indicted with a capital offense. How He Got BailedDefendant Pennue was surprisingly released on bail despite being indicted for a capital offense on ground that the evidence in the murder case was not very strong. However, in the Pennue case, after Sikajipo A. Wollo granted Pennue a bail, Associate Justice Pennue said he was not in error, thereby, sustaining Judge Wollo’s ruling admitting Pennue to bail. Judicial pundits believe his request for bench trial is because he knows that the judge who admitted him to bail on grounds that the evidence was not strong for the murder case could acquit him.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 31, 2021 15:59 UTC
Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission Investigates Its Vice Chairman over Corruption, Conflict of Interest Links in NPA Saga
Monrovia – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has announced that it has placed under investigation, its Vice Chairperson, Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala over allegations linking him to a conflict of interest saga at the Freeport of Monrovia. Bai Gbala and other high profile government officials to the alleged corruption saga at the Port of Buchanan. A source within the Freeport of Monrovia, speaking on condition of anonymity informed FPA: “Bill Tweahway has 60% share in the company, Cllr. I wish to state for the records that neither the Managing Director of the National Port Authority Hon.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 31, 2021 08:18 UTC
Liberia: NPA Management Provides Contradictory Clarifications; Says Managing Director Owns No Shares in CDI
FrontPageAfrica also has in its possession invoices and receipts in the name of CDI dating up to July 2021. The National Port Authority (NPA) has denied reports of its Managing Director, Bill Tweahway, having shares in Creative Developers Inc. – the company that has an MOU with the NPA for handling services. FrontPageAfrica gathered from reliable sources within the NPA that Mr. Tweahway owns 60% shares in the company. However, the NPA through its Public Relations Director Malcolm Scott sharply reacted to the report. He noted that NPA will not be deterred by claims and counter claims including side attacks any employees or former employees of the Port.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 31, 2021 08:13 UTC
Liberia: Two Key Staff Resign from Sen. Darius Dillon’s Office
MONROVIA – Two senior staff in the office of Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon have sent in their letters of resignation – with both stating reasons ranging from policy differences, professional, and personal reasons. For Mr. Plackie, his resignation, according to him, is motivated by personal and professional reasons coupled with policy differences on issues of national concerns. Senator Dillon has in recent days been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Senator Dillon, who proclaims to be the ‘Light of the Senate”, posted screenshots of his original economy class ticket from Monrovia to New York. In response to those criticisms, Senator Dillon on his official Facebook page backed Bility, stating a biblical reference with a hope that Bility was now a changed person.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 31, 2021 08:03 UTC
Liberia: GIZ to Establish US$10m TVET Center
Mr. Schroeder said improving Liberia’s TVET sector is as important as improving all other development sectors of the country. He added that t establishment of a National TVET Center will contribute to job creation for young people and establish a performance based vocational training system in Liberia. Also speaking at the Private Sector TVET Day, Acting Public Works Minister Ruth Cooker-Collins described the project as a huge boast for Liberia TVET sector and the young people. Representatives at the Private Sector TVET Day, organized by the GIZ were drawn from entities involved with technical and vocational activities. Both winners are citizens of Bentol City of Bensonville, Montserrado County, and proposed venue for construction of the National TVET Center to be known as the Gateway Vocational Training Center.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 31, 2021 07:52 UTC