The Death Penalty is Not the Answer to Liberia’s Rape Problem; We Need Leadership to Confront the Elephants in the Room
The Death Penalty is Not the Answer to Liberia’s Rape Problem; We Need Leadership to Confront the Elephants in the RoomMelbourne, Australia – HERE we are again as the surge of rape, gang rape, sodomy, sexual assault and their frequency (more than 600 cases during COVID-19 State of Emergency) ignites a national debate about the death penalty. Samuel Sakama, Contributing WriterWE need to press pause and ask ourselves: is the death penalty a solution to rape? There is now academic consensus and advocacy over the past 50 years that the death penalty does not deter violent crime. Alarmingly, countries like Afghanistan and Iran kill victims of sexual abuse despite having the death penalty for perpetuators. It is evident that the use of the death penalty by the coup plotters then only killed people, it did not kill corruption!
Source:Front Page Africa
August 16, 2020 20:03 UTC
Liberia: To Slash or Not to Slash: Senator’s Call to Cut Lawmakers’ Salary Draws Finance Minister’s Rage
Prior to Senator Dillon entering the Senate, members of both houses kept their salaries secret. “I don’t see the Dillon bill as a serious bill. “I don’t see the Dillon bill as a serious bill. I myself, I feel for them because I, the minister who been working with the president to cut, cut, cut… but when I look at the lawmakers, I feel sorry because I know what they going through. But whether Senator Dillon gets his way remains to be seen.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 16, 2020 13:30 UTC
Liberia: Development Team Returning from Dedicating President’s Housing Project in Fatal Crash, 3 Dead
Waka Town – A development team overseeing Rep. J. Fonati Koffa(CDC, District # 2, Grand Kru), schools projects along with the lace team which went to Grand Kru to dedicate President George Weah’s housing project, was involved in a fatal accident in Waka Town, near Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. The housing project in its final stage, is aimed at providing shelter for less-fortunate residents in the President’s hometown. At least 50 units were recently dedicated from the project including two of Representative J. Fonati Koffa’s school Project, said to be nearing completion. The project strategically located in the Jrao statutory district includes housing units with two bedrooms, a living room, bathroom and two porches. Engineers have broken down thatched houses marked for replacement by LACE to allow only beneficiary of Sasstown, Grand Kru County, to benefit from the Presidential Pro Poor Housing Units.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 16, 2020 12:22 UTC
Liberia: Gbehzohngar Findley Accepts Petition to Contest Grand Bassa Senatorial Race
Gbehzohngar Findley told his kinsmen and women that he had received the blessing from President George Weah to return to the county and contest the senatorial electionBuchanan, Grand Bassa – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Gbehzohngar Findley has expressed his intent to contest the December 8 Special Senatorial Election. Residents of Grand Bassa County from all five districts flooded the streets of Buchanan and matched from Monrovia Junction to Unification Pavilion where the former Senate Pro-Tempore spoke to the gathering. Gbehzohngar Findley who once served as Senator of the county for 9 years, was massively defeated by current Senator Jonathan Kaipay during the 2014 Senatorial election. The Traditional leaders headed by the Chief Grand Zoe of Grand Bassa Edward Garmah, said they have evaluated all of the aspirants and believe that Findley is the most suited to make a representation for them. “We have come to petition you to contest the 2020 Senatorial election in Grand Bassa County.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 16, 2020 10:07 UTC
Liberia to Conduct National Fish Stock Assessment
Emma Metieh Glassco Director General National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority(NaFAA)Monrovia – The Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has disclosed that Liberia is to shortly conduct its first ever comprehensive independent national fisheries stock assessment. An independent national stock assessment will provide a means of obtaining a strong national fisheries independent data set to verify regional stock survey data as well as form a strong basis for fully maximizing the socio-economic potential of the fishery resources. Emma Metieh Glassco additionally mentioned that the Guinean Government has officially agreed to conduct the comprehensive independent national fisheries stock assessment in the Liberian waters. Madam Glassco recalled that the last regional fish stock assessment was conducted in 2019 as this will be the first historic national independent stock assessment to be conducted in Liberian waters. She maintained that the pending stock assessment will lead to several opportunities for investment in the Liberian fisheries sector.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 15, 2020 17:48 UTC
Liberia’s Ambassador to the USA Tests Positive for COVID-19
Speaking from his hospital bed late Wednesday night, Ambassador Patten cautioned Liberians in the USA, Canada and Mexico to consistently adhere to health protocols established by health authorities. He noted that the virus is real and does not discriminateWASHINGTON D.C. – Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States, Canada and Mexico His Excellency George S.W. In a dispatch signed by the Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs, Al-Jerome Anastas Chede Sr., Ambassador Patten was taken to hospital on August 12 at about 9pm Eastern time. Speaking from his hospital bed late Wednesday night, Ambassador Patten cautioned Liberians in the USA, Canada and Mexico to consistently adhere to health protocols established by health authorities. The Embassy remains open for business and cautions everyone visiting to observe social distancing and all health protocols.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 18:22 UTC
Liberia: Lingering Concerns over How VP Jewel Howard Taylor Medical Report Surfaced on Social Media
Section 12.4 of the Public Health Law prohibits disclosure of medical condition of any person unless to an authorized personnel. Based on the advice of her doctor, the Incident Management System is granting her permission to travel to seek treatment. However, neither the Minister of Health nor the Ministry of Information have condemned the breach of the Vice President’s medical confidentiality. This breach comes at a time when President George Weah has suspended the Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, Dr. Mosoka Fallah for alleged breach of administrative protocol. Meanwhile, the Chief of Office Staff of the Vice President, Mr. George Tenessee Nimely, told FrontPageAfrica that the “Vice President is only concerned about her speedy recovery, and safe return home.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 07:18 UTC
Liberia: Education Ministry: Civics Returns to the Classroom Next Academic Year
“As you may the aware, the Ministry is preparing to re-introduce Civics Education and make compulsory for all grades 1 to 12 schools across Libberia. According to the Deputy Education Minister, the focus of this civics education is to educate students about their rights and responsibilities, thereby promoting peace building and producing active citizenship. Minister of Education Ansu D. Sonii, Sr., made civics education a priority early in his term. About Child Steps International (CSI): CSI is a registered non-governmental organization in the Republic of Liberia, established in 2012. In 2020, CSI’s LAW+YOU became part of a national civics initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Education in Liberia and OSIWA.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 03:11 UTC
Liberia: 10-Yr-Old Girl Raped and Sodomized as Child Rights Advocate Calls for Castration, Imprisonment of Rapists
The medical report in possession of FrontPageAfrica reveals that the victim was brutally raped and sodomized and is seeking medical care. But when she entered the room, he grabbed her and stuffed the bed sheet into her mouth, raped and sodomized her. When we arrived at the Paynesville Magisterial Court, every room I entered to proceed with the case file, I had to pay money. She added: “The child’s mother who would have never afforded that kind of money, asked me to take over the case. So if REACH was not here, the mother would have dropped this case and the child situation would have gotten worse because she would not have money to treat the child.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 03:04 UTC
Liberia: Nimba County Residents Petition Ex-Lawmaker Garrison Yealue to Contest County’s Senatorial Post in December
At a colourful event in Buutuo, residents including elders and youth of Gbehlay-Geh, Zoe-Geh and Tappita Statutory Districts said Atty. Buutuo, Nimba County – A cross session of residents of Nimba County has petitioned former Representative Garrison Doldeh Yealue to run in the upcoming December 8, 2020 special senatorial elections. Yealue was best suited for the senatorial post of the county. Yealue served as Representative of Nimba County Electoral District #4 in the 53rd Legislature but lost to current Representative Gonpu Kargon in a fiercely contested race in 2017. He named some of the projects as the construction of the community banks and budgetary supports to health facilities in Nimba County.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 02:48 UTC
Liberia: Ex-President Congratulates U.S. Senator Kamala Harris on Her Preferment as Joe Biden’s Running Mate
MONROVIA – Africa’s first female President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated U.S. Congress woman Kamala Harris for her nomination as running mate to presidential hopeful, Joe Biden. Madam Sirleaf tweeted on Wednesday, “Congratulations @KamalaHarris on being the first woman of color to become a VP nominee of a major US political party. I wish you the best-and courage-afor your journey.”Joe Biden on Wednesday named Kamala Harris as his running mate, making the California senator the first Black and South Asian American woman to run on a major political party’s presidential ticket. Harris’ selection comes months after Biden committed to picking a woman to join him on the Democratic ticket. Harris, 55, is now the third woman to serve as a vice presidential candidate for a major political party, following Geraldine Ferraro as the Democratic vice presidential pick in 1984 and Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential pick in 2008.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 02:37 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah Wants Legislature Loosen Fiscal Space; Says Government’s Operational Fund Running Out amid Debate of FY2020/2021 National Budget
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – President George Weah has requested the Legislature to adopt one-twelfth of last year’s budget in line with the proposed fiscal year 2020/2021 national budget currently under discussion by the Legislature. Tuesday’s decision by plenary was in stark contrast of the hostile reaction that greeted the President’s previous request in early July 2020. This will enable us meet critical obligations prior to the approval of the budget,” the President pleaded. FrontPageAfrica was unable to confirm whether the President’s request was granted behind closed doors. With FY 2020/2021 draft national budget already submitted and undergoing scrutiny, the resolution is expected to meet the required two-third signature.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 02:37 UTC
Liberia: Inter-Religious Council Disappointed in Pres. Weah over Failure to Implement Recommendations from Investigative Reports
The IRCL is a conglomeration of Liberian religious leaders from the National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMCL) and the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC). He said government, particularly President Weah, must take stringent actions on the findings and recommendations contained in investigative reports submitted to him to serve as deterrence to would be instigators or perpetrators of violence in Liberia. Brown indicated that government must expedite actions on the findings and recommendations from these investigative reports, especially the latest Grand Gedeh County saga. We want to appeal to our political leaders in the ruling and opposition political parties that they have a country to uphold”. Senator Dillon had gone to the community, which is believed to be the stronghold of the CDC of President Weah, to launch the Friends of Dillon in Clara Town, District #14 Chapter.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 02:35 UTC
House Summons Police Chief, Transport Minister over Increased Road Accident Cases and Low Police Presence in Rural Liberia
In his communication, Rep. Gleekia blamed the high number of road accidents on major highways including the Cocoa-cola Factory-Ganta and ELWA Junction-Buchanan highways to the lack of police patrols on the highways. Rep. Gleekia said the regular patrols by the Highway Patrol Division of the Liberia National Police (LNP) few years ago curtailed accidents, over speeding and reckless driving but that has dramatically changed since the LNP stopped the exercise. These tragic incidents, he said, in most cases lead to loss of lives and life-threatening injuries. Writing further, Rep. Gleekia revealed that there are only 11 police officers assigned within his district of about 41,700 people and these officers are also providing security for nearby District #9 that has a population of 69,634 (citing LISGIS statistics). Plenary’s decision comes in the wake of a wave of tragic road accidents on major highways and cities in recent weeks.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 02:26 UTC
Liberians Gradually Abandoning Health Protocols as Instituted Community Handwashing Mechanisms Disappear
Like Duazon, most neighborhoods across Monrovia and its suburbs had checkpoints enforcing health protocols instituted by the WHO and the government of Liberia. Motorcyclists wash their hands at GSA Road community checkpoint on. FrontPage Africa/Gerald Koinyeneh‘Like Community Watch Team’It is not clear where the idea of community checkpoints started but it could be traced back to the Ebola epidemic 2014-2016. “Nevertheless, [community taskforce members] can volunteer for one or two months but God forbade if it goes for six months, then we need something to sustain them. We could start by giving them food or non-food items.”The disappearance of the community checkpoints come at the time Liberia coronavirus Cases continue to increase.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 13, 2020 02:15 UTC