Liberia: Senator Sando Johnson Urges Pres. Weah to Use Constitutional Powers to Fight Corruption
“President Weah should make sure that people who are tasked with responsibilities are honest enough to ensure that they do their works professionally and with honesty”. Senator Johnson noted that President Weah should desist from exercising his constitutional powers based on friendship or partisanship and take actions in the interest of the nation. The government is bigger than a political party and he has to look at Liberia in that direction now. When this is done, he added, that public officials appointed by the Liberian Chief Executive will also follow suit. He maintained that President Weah should not allow himself to be “pushed around” over making decisions to move Liberia and its citizens forward.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 06:00 UTC
Liberia: Speaker Chambers Barking Off The Wrong Tree On Shortage Of Local Currency
LAWMAKERS, UNDER THE watch of Speaker Chambers have repeatedly given the greenlight to the Central Bank of Liberia to print local currency while standing by and doing nothing as consumers and ordinary Liberians complain that there is simply not enough local currency on the market. OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, commercial banks have been doing their best to manage the shortage of local dollars with no end appearing to be in sight for the shortage. IN THE WAKE OF all this, Speaker Chambers is failing to take responsibility by leading his peers to hold the Central Bank of Liberia’s feet to the fire. IN TRUTH, Speaker Chambers is shifting blame when he should be providing oversight through the Banking and Currency committee of the lower house which should be working hard to ensure the local currency is protected. SADLY, AT THE TIME, Speaker Chambers did not make any claims or lay any blame on the shortage on the local businesses.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 06:00 UTC
Liberia: Supreme Court Wants Referendum Ballot Papers Contain Original Eight Propositions
They had raised several reasons for which they sought a prohibition on the December 8 referendum including lack of sufficient time for public awareness. They had argued that electorates have not been educated enough on the various propositions of the referendum and how to go about voting. The Supreme Court ruled that “Article 92 of the Constitution is devoid of any timeframe for the dissemination of information and awareness on the Referendum. The Supreme Court ruled, “The alternative writ of prohibition issued is sustained and the temporary writ prayed for is granted. The NEC is hereby prohibited from printing ballots for the Referendum contrary to Joint Resolution LEG-002/2019 of the Legislature and Article 92 of the Constitution.”
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 06:00 UTC
Liberia: Journalists Trained on WASH Reporting
Session with the lead facilitator, Jonathan Chapman, Media Specialist of WaterAid UK through a visual presentationMONROVIA – A One Day Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Journalists Training designed to enhance WASH reportage into mainstream Media, has successfully ended in Monrovia, Liberia. The Training was organized and facilitated by WaterAid Liberia, bringing together at least 10 Journalists from the WASH Reporters & Editors (“R&E Media”) Network of Liberia. The WaterAid UK Media Specialist also stressed the need for WASH journalists to look at facts and figures, audiences, story ideas and themes, amongst others. The One Day Media Training is expected to improve WASH Journalists’ understanding of key WASH issues, inform WASH Journalists on how to find and present information in an accessible and simple manner and help Journalists capture WaterAid’s work and other sector issues using WASH data and telling compelling stories. The Training will further enable Journalists integrate WASH reportage in mainstream media, at an optimal level both to influence decision makers into accelerating improvements in WASH access and to educate and inform public opinion on their WASH rights.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 05:55 UTC
Government of Liberia Signs Agreement With TRACOM Liberia, Ltd. For the Development, Installation and Operations of an Electronic Fiscal Device System
Government of Liberia Signs Agreement With TRACOM Liberia, Ltd. For the Development, Installation and Operations of an Electronic Fiscal Device SystemMonrovia – The Government of Liberia (GoL) represented by members of the Inter-Ministerial Concession Committee (IMCC) namely, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), National Investment Commission (NIC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), and Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) have signed a Framework Agreement for the development, installation, and operations of an Electronic Fiscal Device System (EFDS) within Liberia. The electronic system will enable the Government to install electronic fiscal devices to track the daily transactions and sales records of businesses in Liberia. He said the introduction of the electronic fiscal device for tracking sales data of businesses marked the beginning of more important undertakings to be initiated to promote accountability and enhance revenue collection. He assured the commitment of TRACOM Liberia Limited to diligently implement the electronic fiscal device project so as to yield the results intended. The fiscal device system implementation will be fully led by the Liberia Revenue Authority and supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 05:47 UTC
National Civil Society Watch of Liberia Hails Pres. Weah for Creating Office of Islamic Advisor
MONROVIA – National Civil Society Watch of Liberia (NACSWL) celebrates the president for the creation of the office of Islamic advisor to the president. Acknowledges that such creates balanced access to the presidency of Liberia for the two major religions of the Country; Islam and Christianity. Calls on the first occupant of the post, Sheik Usmane T. Jalloh to serve for the benefit of peace and a reconciled society. We further wish to join the National Islamic Organization through its head Mohammed A. Sheriff (Chairman) in celebrating the president H. E. Dr. George Manneh Weah on the 29th of this month for his works over the years which are specifically contributing to the growth and development of the country and reconciling its diverse people.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 05:47 UTC
EU, Liberia to Hold 8th JIC Meeting in Monrovia; Delegates to use the Joint Implementation Committee to Review Status of Liberia’s forest governance
MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia and the European Union (EU) are expected to hold the 8th session of the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) meeting in Monrovia slated for November 24-26, 2020. At the meeting, the status of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement, striving for the enhancement of Liberia’s forest governance, will be reviewed. The VPA was designed to address illegal logging, improve the law enforcement and forest governance and promote trade in legal timber products. Under the agreement, Liberia will ensure that its timber exports are legally corroborated before being shipped for the EU and other international markets. They will all be deliberating on pertinent issues bordering on the status of the forest governance in Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 05:37 UTC
Former U.S. Ambassador Likely to be President-elect Biden’s Pick as Ambassador to the U.N.
Ambassador Likely to be President-elect Biden’s Pick as Ambassador to the U.N.Former U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Linda Thomas-Greenfield is expected to be President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for ambassador to the United Nations and Jake Sullivan as his national security adviser, several people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post. She served as assistant secretary of state for African affairs and was ambassador to Liberia during the Obama administration. Sullivan was one of Biden’s national security advisers during his time as vice president and was also a deputy chief of staff to Hillary Clinton when she was secretary of state. Antony Blinken, Biden’s reported pick to be his secretary of state nominee, also served as one of Biden’s national security advisers while vice president.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 04:41 UTC
National Civil Society Council Decry Economy Challenges in Liberia; Dedicates New Headquarters In Monrovia
At the same time, the National Civil Society Council of Liberia has reassured its willingness to network with government and other partners for a better Liberia. According to Mr. Ajisomo, without civil society presence, it would be difficult to get credible and authentic report on the governance structure. He, however, urged civil society actors to perform their roles in a way that will enable Liberia to continue sustaining peace. “You should be able to report in a way that will create an impact on state actors and society,” Ajisomo said. Meanwhile, Mr. Ajisomo said there are still more that civil society actors need to do in holding government accountable, therefore, pledging ECOWAS commitment to work with the National Civil Society Council of Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 02:26 UTC
COVID-19 Action Fund for Africa donates millions of PPE to Sierra Leone, Mali, Côte D’Ivoire and Liberia for Community Health Workers
Accra, Ghana – The Covid-19 Action Fund for Africa (CAF-Africa) has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health ministries in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte D’Ivoire, and Mali for each nation’s cadre of community health workers (CHWs). The shipment contained 5,472,000 masks, and 22,529 face shields-PPE required to safeguard health workers providing services at the last-mile. Community health workers (CHWs) provide essential health services such as integrated community case management as well as COVID-19 specific activities. While a worldwide shortage of PPE affects all health workers, the brunt has fallen on low- and middle-income countries and community health workers in particular. Integrated with national responses, this is the only known effort that pools resources for PPE items specifically for community health workers in Africa.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 23, 2020 02:26 UTC
Government to Officially Launch Aid Management Tool (Liberia Project Dashboard), and National Aid and NGO Policy of Liberia
MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning is to shortly roll out the Aid Management Tool (specifically referred to as the Liberia Project Dash Board), as well as, the National Aid and NGO Policy of Liberia (NAPL). And thirdly, the Organizers will present and official launch the Liberia Project Dashboard (LPD) as a repository of donor and GoL project information. To date, two (2) Units of the MFDP (Aid Management & Coordination Unit and the Program Implementation Unit) have rolled out the LPD in their aid information management system. The National Aid Policy of Liberia (NAPL) is designed to address these gaps and establish an internal coordination mechanism to curtail instances of such. The policy also establishes a national coordination framework for collective engagement with Development Partners at the technical and policy levels.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 22, 2020 23:15 UTC
Liberia: Civil Society Activist Eddie Jarwolo Arrested
He said, the President’s security guards initially attempted taking him to Jamaica Lodge – the President’s private lodge – but he resisted on the ground that is not a police depot. MONROVIA – Civil Society Advocate, Eddie Jarwolo, has been arrested by the Liberia National Police for allegedly invading Pres. He said, the President’s security guards initially attempted taking him to Jamaica Lodge – the President’s private lodge – but he resisted on ground that is not a police depot. Eddie Jarwolo is the Executive Director at Naymote Partners for Democratic Development. Naymote Partners for Democratic Development promotes citizens’ understanding of democratic processes and the long-term benefits of their participation in these processes.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 22, 2020 14:15 UTC
Analysis: The Impact of COVID-19 on Global Leadership and America Verdict on Trump’s Presidency
Typical example of such scenario is the dreadful Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic consistently and persistently deforming the ability of the entire world including the richest and most sophisticated (in the truest sense of the word) nations. Also, the pandemic exposed political leaders’ weaknesses and stained their popularity, therefore, dragging their reelection prospects in a state of political limbo. However, states and multilateral institutions are waiting to see how quickly, and effectively global leaders take on the mantle of global leadership in response to the pandemic in weathering the dire storm. The coronavirus pandemic forced candidates to momentarily suspend the face-to-face interaction campaigning for about three months. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, President Trump’s reelection was far from certain, but it appeared that the coronavirus devastation on America might have also influenced voters and altered the outcome of the race.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 21, 2020 09:56 UTC
As Gov’t Stonewalls The Release Of The Autopsy Report – Weah Invites State Of Nature & Tells Liberians To Buy CCTV To Self-Protect
The president’s statement alone is an attempt to invite the state of nature which ultimately is anarchy. To shoulder the responsibility of providing security and protection for the subjects (people) of the state is to revert to the state of nature, which Thomas Hobbes described as the state of war. And indeed, the state of nature where the security of the people is resting in their own hands other than the responsibility of their government, they pay taxes to is a state of nature. Taken together, these plausible descriptive and normative assumptions from Hobbes yield a state of nature potentially fraught with divisive struggle. Since our security is no longer guaranteed by the state, you are simply telling us not to submit to the political authority of the state.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 21, 2020 05:37 UTC
Government of Qatar Donates Valuable Medical Equipment, Supplies to Boost Liberia’s COVID-19 Fight
Monrovia – The Government of the State of Qatar, through the Qatar Charity, has donated an assortment of valuable medical equipment and supplies to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Al-Marekhi said Liberia and Qatar share a special bond of friendship, and the gesture is also geared towards strengthening the already existing excellent relationship between the two nations. We also hope that our friendship will be sustainable,” Mr. Al-Marekhi said, while speaking through an interpreter. “Liberia and Qatar have come a long way. Words are inadequate to express our thanks and appreciation to Qatar because they have always come to our aid in times of needs,” Assistant Minister Jackson averred.
Source:Front Page Africa
November 20, 2020 23:26 UTC