Internal Wrangling, Allegations of Corruption Mar Liberia’s Premier Anti-graft Institution
Monrovia – Liberia’s Premier anti-graft institution, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) continues to sink into a sea of one controversy after another since the appointment of its embattled outgoing Executive Chairperson, Cllr, Ndubuisi Nwabudike. But two of the commission’s top officials, Vice Chairperson, Cllr. Gbala also noted that the general staff have also assessed Fahnbulleh as being inefficient on the job. Gbala has been involved with series of financial improprieties that warrant his dismissal as per the LACC Act and its rules. The LACC is made of five commissioners, one of whom is the Executive Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 16, 2021 09:00 UTC
Liberia: Edith Gongloe-Weh Wants Recount, Re-Run of Nimba County Senatorial Election
That 70 votes for candidate Jeremiah Kpan Koung from Martha Tubman Campus polling place, Sanniquellie, Electoral District #2, instead of his 37 votes obtained at that polling place. It also want a rerun in eight other precincts in Upper Nimba County in Electoral District #4, precinct 33010 at the Bihplay Public School of polling place 3; Electoral District #1, precinct 33080 at the Liberty Christian Institute of polling place 5; and Electoral District #1, precinct 33250 at Tonglawin Public School of polling place 4. Others are Electoral District #1, precinct 33069 in the Ganta Public School of polling place 5; and Electoral District #1, precinct 33077 in the Vision International School of polling place 5. Also, in Electoral District #1, precinct 33079 at the Gbartu Quarter Palavahut of polling place 6; Electoral District #1, precinct 33071 in the Small Ganta Palavahut of polling place 5; and Electoral District #1, precinct 33179 of the Wehplay Public School with polling place 4. The lawyers strongly want a re-run as well in Electoral District #2, polling places number 33052 in the Gbayee Public School, and Electoral District #2, polling place #33100 at Tiara Public School.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 16, 2021 09:00 UTC
Open Letter To The Supreme Court of Liberia
The Supreme Court can now censure me, because I will express my opinion as an astute politician, diplomat and law maker. The Supreme Court of LiberiaOn September 28, 2020The Supreme Court heard the case. These were my disbeliefs:The Supreme Court prides itself as a Constitutional Court; Law and Procedures. This action was deliberate and in concert with some members of the Supreme Court Bench. Interestingly, this decision was made by NEC while the Supreme Court had not ruled.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 16, 2021 08:48 UTC
First Witness in Kosiah Trial Says Ex-Rebel General Killed Brother, Six Others
The Federal courthouse in Bellinzona, Switzerland where the war crimes trial of Alieu Kosiah is being held. “He (Kosiah) was giving the command and the command was executed,” the witness told the panel of three judges of the Swiss Federal Criminal Court prosecuting Kosiah. Kosiah is the first Liberian to be prosecuted for war crimes connected to the country’s 1989-2003 civil war, which killed an estimated 250,000 people and displaced one million. “He (Kosiah) even screamed at his soldiers to execute the order,” the witness told the panel. The witness is the first Liberian to testify in a war crimes trial connected with the country’s civil war.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 16, 2021 08:48 UTC
Liberia: Faithvonic Hosts EP Listening Party at Hookah Lounge
Monrovia — Liberian music songstress, Faithvonic, will on today host a listening party for her EP at Hookah Lounge on UN Drive. The EP, which consists of six songs, is from her album ‘Rich With You’, according to Faithvonic in a live interview on HottFM 107.9. “Before the EP drops on the 23, I’m urging you to come to Hookah Lounge and listen to it,” she said. The leading single from the EP, Rich with You, which also doubles as the name of the album, is dedicated to her boyfriend of many years, she said. “The first 10 persons to purchase VIP ticket will get a ten percent discount.”The Liberian music diva says her album is the beginning of more to come in 2021.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 16, 2021 00:45 UTC
Liberia: LFSP Boosts Cocoa Farming in Grand Gedeh, River Gee Counties
MONROVIA — The Liberian Forest Sector Project (LFSP), with support from the Government of Norway through the World Bank has boosted the hopes of about 2,000 cocoa farmers in South Eastern Liberia especially Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties by procuring 150,000 f1 hybrid cocoa seeds/beans from the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana which arrived in the country Thursday, February 11, 2021. Mr. Alaric N. Meinwipia, Assistant Director of Crop Science, Department of Regional Research & Extension, MoA took delivery of the consignment on behalf of the ministry. He gratefully acknowledged the timely intervention of the Liberia Forest Sector Project (LFSP) through which the seeds were procured. He noted that the arrival of the cocoa seeds/beans will certainly raise the hopes of the farmers and elevate their enthusiasm once again. Promoting sustainable agriculture is one of the flagship interventions of the LFSP as a part of Liberia’s strategy for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+).
Source:Front Page Africa
February 16, 2021 00:45 UTC
Liberia: Government Concludes One-Day Symposium for Over 250 HRs and Comptrollers on the Benefits of Social Security Contributions
Before the national harmonization in July 2019, most government employee’s social security contribution was only calculated on their minimum Liberian Dollar Basic Salary, leaving out the larger amount of the general allowance. Mr. Wreh close by encouraging HRs and Comptrollers to see social security deduction as an investment for the future retirement and to enroll each of their employees with the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation to accurately monitor their employee’s social security status and benefits. He explained that a significant number of government employees are yet to register with the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation. Mr. Jah also explained and cautioned HRs and Comptrollers that government employee must be duly registered with NASSCORP to qualify for social security deductions benefits. ”By law, it is the responsibility of the employer to enroll their employees and ensure their social security deductions are collected and remitted to NASSCORP”.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 16, 2021 00:33 UTC
Liberia: Treating Young People Well Prevents Conflict – FOHRD Exe. Director Says
He further told his audience, predominantly young children in high school and other grade levels, that international norms and principles of democracy demand that children are treated with certain values. “Just because you are young doesn’t mean you are any less in value. “When children go to school and they fail, there are so many reasons. Mr. Wonokay told the students and other onlookers that FOHRD as an advocate group, speaks for the rights of people, including children, to be fully respected. “Right now, we have nearly 30 students on our scholarship; we are now in the process of tripling this number to 100,” he disclosed.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 16, 2021 00:33 UTC
Liberia: Cuttington Grad School Senior Leadership Election Marred by Fraud?
MONROVIA – An aggrieved side in the just-ended 2019/2020 senior class leadership elections, Team Tarlue, is requesting the administration of the school to rerun the election citing a litany of fraud and irregularity that marred the sanctity of the process. In a communication to the vice president of the for Graduate Studies, Dr. Roosevelt G. Jayjay, Team Tarlue representing candidate Emmanuel Tarlue, stated that the irregularity stated with the late arrival of the election commissioner, Freshman Jefferson M. Karkor, from the Education College on the election day. They also complained of voter intimidation particularly involving Mr. Christopher Swaray, an Instructor of Occupational Health, who has Mr. Daniel Nyonkor as his Teacher-Assistant (TA) and one of the Candidates in the election. According to them, there were no adherence to same as instead of bringing a representative from the NEC, the Election Commission Chair, Mr, Jefferson Karkor brought in a student from the University of Liberia to help conduct the Elections. They believe the irregularities and fraud in the election which has tampered with the true will of the students, if not corrected could bring the image of Cuttington University School of Graduate and Professional Studies to public disrepute.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 15, 2021 23:26 UTC
President Weah Heightens Health Surveillance amid Ebola Deaths along Liberia-Guinea Border
He added that with a total of seven cases and three deaths, Guinea was in an “Ebola epidemic situation”. He added that with a total of seven cases and three deaths, Guinea was in an “Ebola epidemic situation”. History of Ebola in LiberiaLiberia was most hit by the Ebola outbreak after its discovery in the country on March 24, 2014. Before the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic, Liberia struggled with a very weak health system that was devastated and weakened by a protracted civil war. A 50% reduction in access to healthcare services during the Ebola outbreak was estimated and this exacerbated malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis mortality rates.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 15, 2021 09:00 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah Hopes to Rekindle Interest in Agriculture, But Putting Plan into Action Remains a Daunting Task
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST time, President Weah – or any Liberian leader for that matter has made agriculture a centerpiece agenda item. “Success of these depends on the performance of all stakeholders in the agriculture sector,” said President Weah. PRESIDENT WEAH went on to say that he expects improvement every year due to the quality of products exhibited at the fair. BEYOND WORDS, President Weahs’ biggest challenge would lie on how his administration emphasizes action and implementation over mere words. WHAT LIBERIA HAS GOING for it is a favorable climate and fertile soil for cocoa and rice production.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 15, 2021 08:48 UTC
Liberia: Cllr. Nwabudike’s Last-minute Appointments and Promotions Creates Feud at the LACC
Mr. Fahnbulleh, in his assessment report by the Board, reportedly deemed him incompetent – something which Cllr. Gbala has allegedly been involved with since taking over as Vice Chairman of the LACC. Gbala’s part does not exhibit good character and therefore, makes him unfit to serve as vice chairman of the LACC as inscribed in Part 6, Section 6.3 of the LACC’s Act of 2008. Fahnbulleh: “Mr. Fahnbulleh having equipped the program manager with his pieces of evidence and list of contacts on the allegations for verification, has instructed him (program manager) to submit his findings to the executive chairperson, Cllr.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 15, 2021 08:48 UTC
Liberia Crusaders for Peace and Partners Begin Nationwide Immunization Dialogue
MONROVIA – The Ministry of Health in partnership with the Liberia Crusaders for Peace has launched a nationwide community engagement and dialogue on immunization initiative. The latest round of the routine immunization exercise will kick off from February 24 to the 28, 2021. The Ministry of Health is partnering with the Liberia Crusaders for Peace to take community engagement and dialogue on immunization across the 15 counties. She said routine immunization is the most efficient, sustainable and reliable way of preventing children from getting sick and keeping them healthy. Some of the groups in attendance included the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), the National Governors Council of Liberia, National Council of Chiefs of Liberia, the Rural Women of Liberia, National Muslim Council, and the Liberia Council of Churches.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 15, 2021 08:41 UTC
Liberia: No Project for Pres. Weah to Turn over in Bong County on First County Tour Despite US$1.8M Development Fund
Weah to Turn over in Bong County on First County Tour Despite US$1.8M Development FundKokoyah District, Bong County – Not a single project will be dedicated during president George Mannah Weah’s three-day tour of Bong county despite his government dishing out a whopping US$ 1.8 million in Social Development Funds to fund projects from January 2018 to January 2021. This is happening amid lingering claims of mismanagement of county’s funds by the chairman of Bong county Project Management Committee Steven Mulbah and Bong’s Fiscal Superintendent, Paul Sulunteh. Ansu Sesay, manager of the Sesay Brothers Construction Firm, has been at the center of controversy for receiving funds from the county without undertaking a project. In March 2019, Sesay received US$ 9,000 for the construction of a clinic in Baryarta Town, Jorquelleh District Two and hasn’t constructed the clinic. Sesay’s failure to construct the clinic and the bridge projects in Baryarta has provoked uproar from residents of the town.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 15, 2021 08:37 UTC
Second Phase of Alieu Kosiah Trial in Switzerland Starts Today
Geneva – The trial of a former Liberian rebel leader arrested in Switzerland for alleged war crimes during Liberia’s first civil war will start its second important phase on February 15, 2021, Human Rights Watch said today. He is the first Liberian to be put on trial for alleged war crimes committed during the first Liberian civil war, from 1989 to 1996. It also addresses the trial’s implications for domestic justice in Liberia and touches on overall efforts in Switzerland to investigate and prosecute serious crimes under international law. When the landmark trial formally opened, the court addressed preliminary procedural challenges and began hearing from the accused. Kosiah was arrested on November 10, 2014, in Switzerland, where he had been living since 1999, for his alleged role in war crimes between 1993 and 1995 in Lofa County, northwest Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 15, 2021 08:33 UTC