Liberia: Catholic Bishops Conference Condemns Rising Rape against Women, Children, But Frowns against Death Penalty
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]CABICOL is the assembly of the Catholic Bishops of Liberia who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian Faithful of Liberia. Excerpt of CABICOL’s statement: “In as much as we strongly condemn this nefarious act, the death penalty cannot serve as a remedy to this problem. It termed the act of rape as a diabolical violence that should have no place in the Liberian society. Rape, the Church stated, is a flagrant violation of the victims and survivors’ inalienable rights that should be protected and defended at all times. Such uncivil and vulgar statement, the Church said, are not compatible with our societal and cultural values and norms.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 23:15 UTC
Liberia: Rep. Yekeh Kolubah Alleges Attempted Murder on His Life; Writes Plenary, Foreign Missions
REP; KOLUBAH: “In a murder attempt to take away my life, it was so dramatic to see Abu Keita and others to come [in] broad day to take away my life in the presence of citizens in the market. “In a murder attempt to take away my life, it was so dramatic to see Abu Keita and others to come [in] broad day to take away my life in the presence of citizens in the market. “This is not the first attack on my life since my ascendency as Representative of Montserrado County District # 10. As a member of the House of Representative, I have written several communications to the Plenary, Ministry of Justice, foreign missions in Liberia but nothing has been done to this effect,” Rep. Kolubah lamented. “We should not allow Liberia to retrogress to our dark past which is gradually creeping,” he stated.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 23:15 UTC
Liberia: County Sitting Ends Chaotic in Nimba County
Sanniquellie, Nimba County – The election last week of three members to stear the Project Management Committee (PMC) of Nimba County has been rebuffed by a faction of the county legislative caucus, who have threatened not to work with the new leadership. Their elections were done in the absence of eight aggrieved candidates who were vying for the three positions. Representatives Larry Younquoi (Alternative National Congress District 8, District), Samuel Korga (People’s Unification Party District Five) and Prince O.S. “This is a complete disservice to the people of Nimba County to elect people based on affiliation rather than competence,” Rep, Younquoi said. The three lawmakers accused Johnson of influencing the outcome of the election by threatening delegates of retaliations if they voted against his preferred choices.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 23:13 UTC
First Lady Clar Marie Weah in partnership with Merck Foundation Select 32 Liberian Doctors for Advanced Training
First Lady Clar Marie Weah in partnership with Merck Foundation Select 32 Liberian Doctors for Advanced TrainingMONROVIA – Liberian First Lady Clar Marie Weah in partnership with Merck Foundation, is pleased to announce that 32 Liberian Doctors have been selected to undergo intensive training in various specialty education. Three-month Online Diabetes Master-course accredited by Diabetes UK. High scoring graduates of this course will be eligible to enrol in the one-year Online Diabetes Post Graduate Diploma from University of South Wales. Moreover, Dr. Peva Gbagornah was enrolled to one-year Diabetes master’s degree (MSc) after his successful graduation from one-year Diabetes PG Diploma with Merit. a. Dr. Peva F. Gbagornahb. Dr. Heounohu R Hessouc. Dr. Robin Vayed. Dr. Augustine L. Kolliee. Dr. Yarvoh Massah Moore-Wilsonf. Dr. Johnette Gbolue Gbozee-Dunbarg. Dr. Lah, Emmanuel Dh. Dr. Anderson Flomo, Jri. Dr.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 23:11 UTC
LBS Deputy DG for Administration Recommends
Director General for Administration at the Liberia Broadcasting System, Madam Estelle Liberty-KemohMONROVIA – The Director-General for Administration at the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) and one of the Organizers of the All for Worship Music Ministry, Madam Estelle Liberty-Kemoh, is recommending that priority be placed on the youthful generation of Liberia. Madam Liberty-Kemoh made the statement at programs marking the official launch of the All for Worship Maiden Worship Time in Gods’ Presence Musical Concert, in collaboration with the St. John’s Gospel Music Ministry International; under the theme: “Praise Time 2020, held at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship Center in Monrovia. “We need not sit silently lest we all become accomplices or part of the problems,” Madam Liberty-Kemoh asserted. Giving the overview, Minister Johnson said the activities comprises of praise dance, worship songs, which will be done by mostly young women and girls as well as the training of young counselors. He also indicated that the musical concert is expected to be an annual event.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 23:05 UTC
Liberia: 10 CSOs Sign MOU to Counter Fragility, Promote Democracy & Good Governance in ECOWAS Countries
CSOs, Prodemocracy Activists pose during the MOU signing ceremonyMonrovia – At least 10 civil society organizations (CSOs), which are partnering in the enhancement of democracy and good governance not only in the Mano River Union (MRU) basin but also the sub-region of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on Saturday, August 22, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in Monrovia. In the MOU, the group, styled: “CSO Partners for Democracy & Good Governance,” pointed out that its membership has been inspired by their shared desire for strategic collaboration through advocacy to foster national and regional peace and security consolidation, and concomitantly promote democratic governance, adherence to, and respect for the rule of law as well as regional integration and development. The ten-count MOU, read at a news briefing by the founder/ president of the Better Foundation (BFF), Augustine Arkoi, further asserted that based on their common interests and synergies in various thematic areas including human rights, social protection, democracy and good governance, gender equality, women empowerment, youth development and the rights of children among others, they will collaboratively strive in addressing these pertinent issues in Liberia and other MRU/ECOWAS member countries and beyond. Speaking at the signing ceremony, BFF President, Augustine Arkoi, who lauded the member CSOs, said their primary objective is to promote regional and sub-regional peace and security, as well as good governance and democratic pluralism. According to the CSO Partners, the MRU/ECOWAS regions currently face fragility as it relates to peace and security, healthcare, food security, and the consolidation of democracy, and as such, the urgent need for concerted efforts and simultaneous actions by pro-democracy and human rights groups and other stakeholders aimed to address such problems cannot be overemphasized.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 22:52 UTC
Lessons From Mali
After issuing threats of sanctions against Mali unless Ibrahim B. Keita was re-instated, ECOWAS is now negotiating to get the former President a safe exit to seek medical assistance. The problems of Mali did not start with Keita but he exacerbated the difficulties rather than resolve them. While enlisting ECOWAS to appease demonstrators on one hand, he unleashed security forces on the demonstrators on the other. ECOWAS heads of state and citizens can draw many lessons from the issues that led to the fall of Ibrahim B. Keita. An important lesson to draw from Mali for ECOWAS is to pay attention to governance.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 22:41 UTC
Upgrading the Educational System in Liberia: Some suggestions for Policymakers’ Consideration
Yet in Liberia, children’s access to education is limited by numerous factors including constraints on national finances, poor infrastructure, and unskilled teachers. Untrained teachers: Teachers’ effectiveness has been found to be the most important predictor of student learning outcome. To offer every child primary education, 25.8 million school teachers need to be recruited. Inefficiency in implementation of school curriculum and teaching-learning materials: In 2019, Liberia launched the reformed national school curriculum. The overall importance of including vocational training in our education system in Liberia is to enhance employment opportunities for the youth.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 21:55 UTC
Liberia: Liberia Less Corrupt Under Weah-led Government?
The corruption perception index among officials of government stood at 70 percent in 2015 but dropped to 49 percent in 2019. The corruption perception index among officials of government stood at 70 percent in 2015 but dropped to 49 percent in 2019. In the Legislature, corruption perception was at 68 percent in 2015 and 49 percent in 2019. Mr. Ali: “On this score, if we compare Liberia’s Corruption Perception Index score in 2015 against that of 2019, one finds that corruption has actually increased in Liberia in 2019. In 2015, Liberia scored 37/100 (37%) and was ranked 83 out of 198 countries (the lower the rank, the better the perception of corruption).
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 18:22 UTC
Liberia: Ex-Central Bank Governor, Board Members Acquitted in Missing Banknotes Trial
MONROVIA – Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay has acquitted former officials of the Central Bank of Liberia of criminal charges levelled against them by the State. Judge Gbeisay cleared the ex-CBL officials of the criminal charges of Economic Sabotage, Criminal Conspiracy, among others on Tuesday, August 24, 2020. Judge Gbeisay also added that the amount of Liberian dollars banknotes printed and sent to Liberia were double checked. Judge Gbeisay said the actual amount of banknotes printed and sent to Liberia was over L$15,506 billion. They were indicted on June 8,2020 by the grand jury of Montserrado County for the alleged commission of the crimes of Economic Sabotage, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Facilitation among others.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 15:11 UTC
LMHRA Board Conducts Two-day Strategic Workshop
MONROVIA – In an effort to boost productivity at the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), the Board of Directors late last week conducted a two-day strategic workshop that seek to improve the workings of the authority thereby boosting productivity. According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Professor, Hasipha Tarpeh, the objective of the two-day event was to enable members of the board and stakeholders in the sector demonstrate good knowledge of the function of the board and the authority. The Chairman of the LMHRA Board stressed that during the two days workshop, agreed to design means to craft a regulation that will address issues in the Act that are impeding the progress of the entity. Prof. Tarpeh further argued that almost all the members of the board are new; it was expedient that they converged to understand the Act establishing the LMHRA. He also maintained that the meeting was also important for the board to understand the constraint the authority is confronted with in order to support the work of the LMHRA.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 14:15 UTC
Andrew Young Foundation Donates Consignment of Selenium to Liberian Government
MONROVIA – US-based organization has donated several cartons of selenium drugs purposely to boost the immune system of COVID-19 patients in Liberia. To help combat coronavirus and other diseases, the Andrew Young Foundation (AYF) donated 15 cartons of selenium drugs to the Health Ministry in Liberia. The Andrew Young Foundation was among several organizations that aided Liberia during the fight against Ebola in 2014. Dr. Jallah also stated that this was the first donation made by the Andrew Young Foundation since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Liberia. According her, there are several organizations and individuals that collaborated with the Andrew Young Foundation in donating to the people of Liberia this year.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 12:22 UTC
Liberia: Liberia: Amid Flagrant Violations and Lingering Protests and Threats, ArcelorMittal Insists It’s in Full Compliance with Mineral Development Agreement
Several other employees according to the Union were sacked and not given any benefits after getting hurt on the job. ArcelorMittal insists that it is acting in conformity with the Decent Work Act, Social Security and other labor laws. The Warehouse Manager, Quality Control Manager, and even Chief Cost Accountant are all expats,” one Union member told FPA recently. On this, AML says Liberians currently hold 66% of the senior management positions at ArcelorMittal Liberia. Instead, the Union says ArcelorMittal placates Liberian employees by giving them tuition reimbursement stipends which is paid once a year.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 07:52 UTC
Pledge Your Allegiance: Flag Day Should Rekindle Our Spirit of Patriotism. But Is It?
IN LIBERIA, WE OFTEN SEE a complete paradox: Liberians pledge allegiance to the flag but they hold little nationalism for the progress of the state. Why would claim to pledge allegiance to a nation but seek to cripple its future? And unfortunately, National Days like Flag Day, Unification Day, Independence Day, amongst others, come and go year-in-year-out with no significance of refining the trajectory for the future of our nation. CHARACTERIZING FLAG DAY with grand merrymaking undercuts the true value of the flag. LET FLAG DAY BE A DAY for all Liberians to experience the true sense of the allegiance we pledge whenever we hoist our Flag and exert to promote the interest of “one nation, indivisible with Liberty and justice for all!”
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 07:41 UTC
Liberia: Cllr Pearl Brown-Bull Cautions Pres. Weah To Remove His Picture From Referendum’s Banners; She Says It’s Not A CDC Project
“That billboard what you (President Weah) get up there for the referendum; take your picture down because it’s a national issue. For over a month now the picture of President Weah has been placed on banners to sensitize citizens about the 2020 referendum. “That billboard what you (President Weah) get up there for the referendum; take your picture down because it’s a national issue. She added: “It’s all those things that the National Election Commission [is] supposed to be talking. “He (President Weah) needs to consult some of us.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 25, 2020 07:39 UTC