Chaos erupts at MOU signing ceremony in Konobo Community Forest
By: Liberia Forest Media Watchlfmw.foresreporters@gmail.com-paulkanneh5@gmail.comMan who sustained wound during the crisisViolence has reportedly erupted at a signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the Konobo Community Forest leaving two people injured, Paul Kanneh reports. Despite the violence that characterized the signing ceremony, Liberian Forest Media Watch (LFMW) learned that the signing ceremony still took place under the watchful eyes of the District Superintendent, Roland Kai. Sir, can you please speak to allegation of your denial of some members of your community from participating in the signing ceremony of MOU for the Konobo Community Forest? Under such arrangement, communities have rights to at least 55% of all revenues/income generated for harvesting timbers on their community forest land. In May 2020, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) postponed another attempt to sign Forest Management Contract in the same Konobo Forest Community amid boycott threat.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2021 14:03 UTC
Minister Gibson Addresses Plenary of The International Labour Conference
Charles H. Gibson has appealed to the International Labour Organization (ILO), through its Regional Office in Nigeria, for assistance in the rehabilitation, skilled training and absorption into the labour market of Zogoes. Minister Gibson made the statement on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 when he addressed the Plenary of the 109th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) via Zoom from Monrovia. The statement was also in respond to the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr. These collaborations illustrate the mutual confidence and cooperation shared within the tripartite arrangement.”The Liberia Labour Minister reminded the Conference that Liberia is a test case of the noble Decent Work Agenda, which is largely a model of the ILO. He used the opportunity to highlight the negative impact human trafficking and child labour is having on decent work worldwide.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 11, 2021 09:00 UTC
Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists Hit by Internal Wrangling over Disputed Elections
Monrovia – Aggrieved members of the Liberia Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists (LAMLT) have expressed disappointment over the ‘unfair’ handling of the association’s election. FrontPage Africa contacted Mr. Flomo via mobile phone for response but he declined on ground that he was sick. It called for the result to be annulled and asked the election body to conduct a rerun. The Board Chairman, along with the Investigation Committee Chairman declined to speak to FPA. The Chairman of the Election Committee promised to respond this weekend.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 11, 2021 08:03 UTC
Liberia: CSO Network Launches Pathway to National Reconciliation in Monrovia
MONROVIA – A group of key civil society actors working on reconciliation and Peacebuilding have launched a report on efforts aimed at achieving national reconciliation and social cohesion in Liberia. The National Reconciliation working group’s report was released Thursday at a local hotel in Monrovia. The report launched under the theme “Rethinking Reconciliation and Social Cohesion in Liberia” seeks effort to contribute to the overall process of post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD). “Those of us from the academic community” the President of the University of Liberia declared “are ready to join efforts aimed at achieving national reconciliation and social cohesion. Dr. Nelson committed further “we will give it a new birth to reconcile all our people and achieve social cohesion”.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 21:33 UTC
Liberia National Police Staging Forum On Strengthening Security
Monrovia – In an effort to strengthen security relations with the media, the River Cess Detachment of the Liberia National Police will on this Saturday, June 12, 2021, stage a day-long forum in the commercial township of Yarpah. The forum will bring together security sector actors from the Liberia National Police, Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia National Fire Service, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Correction and Rehabilitation, and the Liberia National Scout Association. The forum, under the theme “Strengthening Security Relations with The Local Media”, seeks to broaden the understanding of actors on the roles and responsibilities of both the security sector and the media. River Cess County Superintendent, Bismark Karbiah will make remarks at the opening ceremony of the dialogue. It’s expected the dialogue when held would foster cordiality between the joint security, principally the police and the local media.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 15:00 UTC
Liberia: GVL Clarifies Media Report on Redundancy Exercise
This was done after extensive consultations with the Liberian Ministry of Labor and related government institutions, community representatives, GOVAWUL and affected employees, following the process dictated by law and the CBA. It exceeds the employment to land ratio committed to in the Concession Agreement and MOUs even after the redundancy exercise. It also pointed out inaccuracies in figures cited for land developed. For example, in Tarjuowon 7,500 and not 19,000 hectares has been developed. GVL stressed that it remains committed to continuing and maintaining a sustainable presence in Liberia and in improving the well-being and livelihoods of its employees and host communities.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 09:11 UTC
Liberia: UNDP, Ministry of Finance holds Awareness and Training Workshop on National Aid and NGO Policy and the Liberia Project Dashboard
BUCHANNA, Grand Bassa – United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Wednesday began a two-day awareness and training workshop on National Aid and NGO policy and the Liberia Project Dashboard-LPD. Representing the UNDP, the National program Specialist, Sidiki Quisia, thanked the Ministry of Finance for recognizing the role played by UNDP in supporting the National Aid and NGO policy of the country. “The training is mainly based on data related activities so we will take you through donor projects and then we will show you how to enter the Liberia project dashboard,” she explained. Participants of the Workshop include Data Clerks from Civil Society Organizations, local and international NGOs as well as staff of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. It also brought together stakeholders of development assistance from Liberia’s 15 counties.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 08:37 UTC
Liberia: Liberty Party Undecided on Forerunner for 2023 CPP Ticket
The LP is one of the political parties that make up the CPP. Other parties that are part of the CPP are: the former ruling Unity Party (UP), Alternative National Congress (ANC) and the All Liberian Party (ALP). Senator Dillon disclosed that the retreat was a “self-evaluation” one intended to ensure a roadmap or way forward for the party. Senator Dillon continued: “The party has not taken a decision to fielding a candidate or endorsing one of the competitors. “At the appropriate time the party (LP) through the appropriate structure will announce the position of the party and then we will announce a team that supposed to engage with other parties formally”.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 08:26 UTC
Liberia: Ministry Of Education, Methodist Church Remain Mum On Expulsion Of Teenager
MONROVIA – Pressure continues to ramp up against the Trinity United Methodist School to reinstate Michael Kanneh following his expulsion from the school. Kanneh, 16, a 10th grader was expelled from the Trinity United Methodist School when he applied facial makeup and engaged in a fiery discussion with a female preacher who sought to unsuccessfully preach damnation upon him in a video that has gone viral. The education department of the annual conference of the United Methodist Church is yet to comment on the matter as well. The Liberia Annual Conference of the church is amongst three African conferences that have threatened to leave The United Methodist Church if the church lifts its ban on same-sex marriage and ordination, according to the United Methodist News. The expulsion Michael Kanneh of appears to be a litmus test for the church on love, acceptance, and tolerance, observers believe.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 08:15 UTC
Liberia: First Lady Clar Weah Launches Menstrual Personal Hygiene Initiative to Support Adolescent Girls Combat Stigma, Negative Vices
Monrovia – First lady Clar Duncan Weah was on Wednesday joined by her husband, President George Weah and top government officials to launch her ‘She’s You Personal Hygiene Initiative’ in support of women and adolescent girls. “The She’s You Menstrual & Personal Hygiene Initiative espouses the view that dignity is not a luxury; rather, it is a human right,” she said. The cheer grew louder when President Weah, on ‘behalf of his children’, pledged another machine to Madam Weah’s initiative. Student Tina Morris, also of Carver Mission said: “We are very grateful to Madam Weah for thinking about us. And on behalf of my friends and my school, I extend my thanks and appreciation to the First Lady for this initiative.”
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 08:15 UTC
Liberia: President Weah Launches Energy Access Project in Lofa County
KOLAHUN, Lofa County – The Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP), with support from World Bank has been launched in Lofa County, aimed at decentralizing electrification in that part of Liberia. The project, when completed, is expected to provide access to electricity for about 50,000 people, including small businesses, associations and public institutions in Lofa County. “We appreciate the World Bank for this project and we will make sure that the project is implemented properly to achieve its objectives,” President Weah averred. The Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP) is a partnership between the Government of Liberia and the World Bank implemented by the Rural and Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA). LIRENAP’s development objective is to increase access to electricity and foster the use of renewable energy sources, with target of 150,000 direct project beneficiaries (50,000 – access to electricity.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 08:10 UTC
Patriotic Entrepreneurs of Liberia, Partners Initiate Working Group to Combat Challenges Impeding Trade
Monrovia – The Patriotic Entrepreneurs of Liberia (PATEL), in collaboration with several of its partners has set up a working group to address challenges holding back trade efficiency in Liberia. The working group, set up at the just ended Liberia Trade Facilitation Forum held in Monrovia under the auspices of PATEL, was organized to address diverse challenges and bottlenecks through the creation of a framework for reducing trade cost. There have been increasing discontent by importers including Liberian business owners over the huge tariff charged by shipping companies. Meanwhile, the organizing committee’s over all task is to sponsor and drive forward a national trade facilitation strategy, monitor progress, and periodically report progress to the government of Liberia. It comprised of the Ministries of Commerce, Finance and Justice, as well as the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), PATEL, Liberia Business Association (LIBA) and the Chamber of Commerce.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 08:03 UTC
Liberia: Former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott Blames Executive and Legislature For The Pilling Up of Cases at the Judiciary
Liberia: Former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott Blames Executive and Legislature For The Pilling Up of Cases at the JudiciaryMONROVIA – Former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott has blamed the Executive and the Legislature branches of government for the huge number of cases piling up at the Judiciary. Justice Scott said the caseload on the Judiciary is due to the low budgetary support, signing and ratification of international laws by the Executive and the Legislature without the impact of the Judiciary. Scott further stated that the underfunding of the Judiciary and the consciousness of the public demand for justice is lost on the Legislature. Scott is a Liberian lawyer, politician and jurist who served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia from 1997-2003. The judicial conference is the first of its kind under Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, Sr. since it was held in 2010 under late former Chief Justice Johnnie Lewis approximately 10 year ago.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 07:52 UTC
Liberia: “Align ‘Country Paper’ to Economic Diversification” – Min. Tweah Urges AfDB
Samuel D. Jr., has urged the African Development Bank Liberia Country office to align its strategy plan of action from 2019-2023 to economic diversification in the country. ‘’We want the world bank, African Development Bank and development partners to structure resources in the way that help private sector actors to take greater roles and responsibility to expand the economy,’’ Min. Same for oil palm, because the oil palm is the new commodity, and there are so many products you can get from it like soap, oil, and lotion, just to name few” Tweah added. According to him, the bank country strategy paper was approved by the executive board of directors of the African Development bank on the 24th of October, 2018. ‘’ As we know this year we will focus on two major priorities- economic diversification through improving transport and energy infrastructure and improving economic governance and advancing economic development.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 07:41 UTC
Liberia: “Pres. Weah’s Gov’t Struggling to Embrace Freedom of Expression”
Foundation for Human Rights Defense International (FOHRD) Country Director Peter N. Wonokay said the Weah-led Administration is struggling to embrace freedom of expression as enshrined in the Liberian ConstitutionMonrovia – The Foundation for Human Rights Defense International (FOHRD) Liberia office has released its maiden national human rights report in which it cites that the Administration of President George Manneh Weah is struggling to embrace freedom of expression as enshrined in the Liberian Constitution. “To a certain extent, the Government of President George Weah has had a hard time respecting Freedom of Expressions. Under “Allegation of Corruption” in its report, FOHRD frowned on the Weah-led administration for allowing the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission’s (LACC) former Vice Chairperson, Cllr. Gbala, including collection of daily sustenance allowance (DSA) for several trips out of town that he did not make. Several months after being promoted to the chairmanship of the LACC, an LACC internal investigation surprisingly submitted a report clearing Cllr.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 10, 2021 07:41 UTC