Liberia: House of Reps. Demands Plan to Get Young People off the Streets; Summons Youth and Sports Minister
Rep. Gwaikolo said because Liberia is a youthful nation with a large number of young people, it was incumbent upon relevant stakeholders to adequately prepare the youth to take on the mantle of leadership for tomorrow. Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Youth and Sports Minister Zeogar Wilson has been summoned by the House of Representatives to apprise plenary with plans and programs the ministry has put in place to help get young people off the streets. Rep. Gwaikolo said because Liberia is a youthful nation with a large number of young people, it was incumbent upon relevant stakeholders to adequately prepare the youth to take on the mantle of leadership for tomorrow. “This is evidenced by large number of young people idling in the communities without engaging in purposeful activities. Meanwhile, in an interview with reporters at his Capitol building office after session, Rep. Gwaikolo said the spiraling number of disadvantaged youth in every major city and town in Liberia was troubling.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 04:18 UTC
Liberia: JFK Chief Executive Officer Refutes Claims that Hospital Sends Patients Out to Buy Drugs
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Chief Executive officer of Liberia’s premier medical provider, the John F. Kennedy Medical center, Dr. Jerry F. Brown has denied allegations that the hospital often sends patients out to buy drugs that should have been provided by the hospital. Patients are sent outside for gloves, drugs and lots of things before they are paid attention to. Another observer, Patrick Kollie, added; “Everyone knows that JFK always tells her patients to go outside and buy their drugs. When dedicated, the Medical Center was composed of four institutions: John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital; Maternity Hospital; Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (a paramedical and nursing school); and Catherine Mills Rehabilitation Hospital (a psychiatric care facility). It is also the teaching hospital for the University of Liberia’s A.M. Dogliotti School of Medicine.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 04:07 UTC
Liberia: Montserrado County Superintendent Questions the Independence of Sen. Dillon’s County Development Council
Florence Brandy, Superintendent of Montserrado County speaking at the program marking Montserrado County District#5 official endorsement ceremony for the Senatorial bid of Representative Thomas FallahMonrovia – Florence Brandy, Superintendent of Montserrado County has criticized Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon for establishing a County Development Council without any official of the county becoming a part. Senator Dillon, following his induction as Montserrado County Senator in 2019 organized what he termed as Montserrado County Development Council which is chaired by Madam Comfort BedellIn January, Senator Dillon presented a check of US$12,000.00 to the County Development Council for development. “You (Senator Dillon) founded the county council without a member of the Montserrado County being a part of it. Right back to your pocket,” Montserrado County Superintendent Brandy Said. So, he does not have oversight.”According to the Montserrado County Superintendent, Senator Dillon has not been supportive when it comes to supporting the development of youths in the county.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 03:56 UTC
Liberia: TARSNOL Alarms Over Increasing Wave Of Accident & Lack Of Electricity Along City Streets
Monrovia – Traffic and Road Safety Network of Liberia(TARSNOL), a media advocacy group has slammed the “alarming wave of fatal motor accidents” which it blames as being responsible for the death and injuries of valuable citizens in Liberia. Therefore, he is calling for the amendment of the vehicle and traffic laws. Mr. Wheon is calling on the Ministry of Transport to work with relevant stakeholders for vehicles roadworthy inspection before preceding with vehicle registration. In the same way TARSNOL informed the government that the supply of electricity along the street is equally important as done at home. “Nowadays, the cities are dark thus eroding night time beautification of the city and posing a serious risk
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 03:56 UTC
Liberia: A Questionable Trajectory
Indeed, mining in general, and unregulated artisanal mining in particular, is foisting environmental degradation and social breakdown upon rural communities. Indeed, with these neglected risks Liberia seems to be at a critical juncture. To be sure, the challenges for Liberia are daunting and considerable, and conflict or a return to extreme political and social tensions appears to be a constant threat. But such policy should not be confused with job-creation schemes or national development because the objective is different. If so, what are the underlying elements of these conditions, and how do we make war or political violence an unacceptable mode of political and economic transaction in Liberia?
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 03:45 UTC
The Endless Battle Against Corruption
Corruption may involve many unwanted vices including bribery, nepotism embezzlement, and some practices such as undue interference into the works of the judiciary by the executive to tilt the balance of the scale. At this particular moment in time, corruption is a pandemic that has literally taken hold of every fabric of the Liberian society. Note that Transparency International’s Corruption Index ranks countries according to their perceived levels of public sector corruption in accordance with expert(s) assessments and opinion surveys. Briberies, patronages, and other vices, including sex for grades are just a short list of the issues that have corrupted Liberia’s education system at all levels. So, in order to win the battle against corruption, we need to ensure that there is a genuine, honorable, and patriotic justice system.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 03:00 UTC
Rural Women Step up Political Participation
The project has the overall objective of increasing inclusive and equitable civic and political participation for women, people living with disabilities and other marginalized groups. Many years ago, women involvement in political leadership, especially for rural women, was not a priority. Women did not push to exercise their right to political participation, but instead supported men into political leadership positions. In order to encourage women participation, it is important to call on men in the counties to serve as ‘drivers’ who support women and their decisions to take on political responsibilities. As main drivers of the women empowerment in the counties, women groups in towns and villages have plenty of potential.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 02:41 UTC
Liberia: US State Department Bans Entry of Passport Director Involved in ‘Significant Corruption’
US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, in a statement Thursday announced the public designation due to Wonplo’s involvement in significant corruption. In addition to Mr. Wonplo, I am announcing the public designation of his spouse, Dennice Wonplo, and their minor children. This designation reaffirms U.S. commitment to standing with the people and government of Liberia in their fight against corruption. In addition to Mr. Wonplo, I am announcing the public designation of his spouse, Dennice Wonplo, and their minor children. The decision by the US State Department deals a major slap in the face of the Liberia justice system often criticized for corruption and bribery.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 10, 2020 16:41 UTC
Liberia: ANC-USA Donates Rice To Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount and Margibi Counties
Monrovia – ANC-USA through an auxiliary group of ANC Liberia called the National Cyber Defense (NCD) of the Alternative National Congress has donated two Hundred and twenty bags of 25kg rice to be distributed amongst underprivileged Liberians in Grand Cape Mount, Margibi & Montserrado Counties respectively. The distribution is meant to affect people of Disability, Orphanages, older people & other needed folks in selected areas in the counties mentioned above. In Grand Cape Mount County, the distribution covers four cites, namely: Mano Plantation D8, Mano Plantation D9, Nimba Point and Vonjula. Institutions highlighted in Kakata, Margibi County are Christian School of the Blind, The Margibi Private School Teachers Association, The Children Future and Orphanage and the Kakata Progressive Youth Organization. In Montserrado County, areas specified for the distribution are:Island Clinic Community, Lagoon Community, Old Road Chugboi, Lakpazee West Point Community, Kpelleh Town Community, Moulton Corner Brewerville, and rural Montserrado, Nyehn Town- Todee District.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 10, 2020 06:22 UTC
Liberia: Opposition Collaboration Issues Far from Over Amid Accusations of Bribery, Blame Game
11th Hour SubmissionAt the eleventh hour of the primary process, Mr. Urey announced the indefinite suspension of his party’s entire Nimba County leadership which comprises over 20 persons. The suspension letter to the leadership, a copy of which FrontPageAfrica has obtained stated the suspension was due to the level of poor leadership and coordination in the county leadership. “As a leader of the CPP, I express deep and heartfelt regrets for the acts of violence which obtained at the CPP Primary in Nimba County,” the Senator said in a statement Monday. ALP Blames ANC for ViolenceDespite the joint statement the problems within the CPP appears to be far from over. Going forward, the National Advisory Committee needs to launch an in-depth investigation into the ANC’s verbal and abusive attacks on the ALP Leadership and the Sanniquellie violence and ensure that the perpetrators are exposed and punished.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 10, 2020 06:11 UTC
Liberia: Charles Taylor Fears Losing Life in Prison Due to COVID-19; Request to Serve Remaining Term in a Safe Country Denied
Mr. Taylor is serving a 50-year jail sentence at HMP Frankland Prison near Durham in northeastern England. Judge Doherty added that Mr. Taylor has not responded to the direction to inform the Court of his nationality or nationalities. Rule 103 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence (“Rules”) provides that: (A) Pursuant to Article 23 of the RSCSL Statute, imprisonment may be served in Sierra Leone or another State that has concluded an agreement to that effect with the Special Court or the Residual Special Court. The Residual Special Court may conclude agreements with other countries willing to accept and imprison convicted persons. The latest ruling creates another legal setback for Mr. Taylor who remains behind bars for fueling war crimes and atrocities committed in Sierra Leone.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 10, 2020 06:11 UTC
Liberia: Police Forward Two Persons to Court in Connection to Illegal Withdrawal From Charles Sirleaf’s Accounts
Monrovia – The Liberia National Police (LNP) have arrested, charged and forwarded to court two employees of Guaranty Trust Bank (GT-Bank) for allegedly illegally withdrawing monies from Former President Sirleaf’s son, Charles E. Sirleaf accounts. However, they (Doubah and David) were released on bail on Tuesday, September 8, pending court trial. Afterward, they (Mr. and Mrs. Sirleaf) were sent to the Forensic Section, where they were requested to handwriting examinations. The investigation also wrote a communication to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Ministry of Transport, Central Bank of Liberia, and the Liberia Business Registry to provide clarity on some issues of doubt. “Subsequent of the above and couple with the Forensic analysis or examination of several questioned documents conducted,the LNP invited several employees of the bank.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 10, 2020 05:58 UTC
Liberia: Tamba D Aghailas, Accepts Petition To Contest The Midterm Senate Race
Voinjama – Independent candidate, Tamba Aghailas, a contender for the Lofa County Senatorial Midterm elections has received a petition from a cross-spectrum of Lofa County citizens, bolstering his bid to clinch a seat in the Senate ahead of the December 8 Senatorial elections. He furthered stated that “The People of Lofa County have resolved to ensure that Tamba D Aghailas, a noble and honorable son of the soil, is elected on December 8, 2020 as Senator of Lofa County. “It is time for Lofa County to lead once more,” He told the crowd of over 1,000 who filled tents at his movement’s headquarters. This is why when we are elected as Senator, we will champion the cause of our people and give Lofa County a voice. We will fight for Lofa County and for our people.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 10, 2020 05:48 UTC
Liberia: Senate Committee Slams Security Chiefs Over Lapses
Monrovia – Senator Alphonso Gaye (UP- Grand Gedeh County) made no secret of his feelings during Wednesday’s Senate hearing with heads of the country’s security sector, telling the security apparatus he would fire all of them for negligence of duty, if he were President George Weah. The Grand Gedeh County lawmaker made the comment during discussions bordering National Security specifically the crossing into Liberia by Foreigners mainly those from Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso who are said to be entering Liberia through its porous borders and occupying land illegally for farming. Senator Gaye’s comment was a result of a presentation made by the Police Inspector general Patrick Sudue on the situation in Grand Gedeh County. Who knows whether they are even carrying out illegal mining because no one is policing them with no benefits for people and to the Republic of Liberia? The minister told the Senate about how the illegal mining sector is being dominated by Ghanaians and other nationals.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 10, 2020 05:47 UTC
Liberia: Grand Kru Senator Coleman Wants Money for Stimulus Package Given to Health Programs
The CDC’s Grand Kru County Senator described as double punishment to the population of the country the acts by the Ministry of Finance Ministry to reduce budget allotted to the Ministry of health and health institutions in the country. Monrovia – Senator Peter Coleman (CDC-Grand Kru County) is recommending a halt in the ongoing stimulus package food distribution in a bid to save money and redirect funds to the operational budget of the Ministry of Health. The Grand Kru lawmaker recommendation was based on the discovery that the budget of the Ministry of Health was reduced to fund the stimulus package. “Right now, no one is dying of starvation since the food distribution is still ongoing, we need to stop it and take the balance money and restore it back to the Health Ministry budget. The Committee, along with the WFP had been invited by the House to give updates on the food distribution exercise.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 10, 2020 05:37 UTC