ECOWAS Heads of State Demand Coup Leaders in Mali Return to Constitutional Order
The body also took a decision to immediately dispatch the High-level Mediation team led by former President Goodluck Jonathan to Mali to ensure an immediate return to constitutional order. Monrovia – Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) Thursday, suspended Mali from all ECOWAS decision- making bodies with immediate effect in conformity with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, until the effective reinstatement of the constitutional order. The body also took a decision to immediately dispatch the High-level Mediation team led by former President Goodluck Jonathan to Mali to ensure an immediate return to constitutional order. Additionally, the leaders decided to close all land and air borders, as well as to stop all economical, trade and financial flows and transactions between ECOWAS member states and Mali, and encourages all partners to do the same. During Thursday’s meeting, the leaders deliberateD on the best way to deal with the situation in Mali in line with Ecowas protocols.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 06:11 UTC
Liberia: Ruling Party Calls For Castration Of Men Who Engage in Rape
He further described the practice of rape in Liberia as a reprehensible culture that must be discouraged. MONROVIA – Mulbah Morlu, chairman of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), is recommending a legislation that would call for chemical castration of men who rape. He further described the practice of rape in Liberia as a reprehensible culture that must be discouraged. Morlu described himself as a moral voice on the debate against rape judging from his 12 years history in the fight against rape. “Rape is the second most commonly reported serious crime in Liberia,” according to the report.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 06:00 UTC
R.I.P. Corruption Culture Officially Entrenched, Embraced in Liberia
MILES ACROSS the Atlantic from Monrovia, Liberia, Jerry Manneh, a Liberian national employed with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority(MTA) was forced to resign after he told his employers that he had lost his lost his iPhone. THIS IS WHY we continue to remain baffle as to why President Weah and his advisors would see nothing wrong with what is unfolding with the Nwabudike dilemma. I further believe that the overwhelming mandate I received from the Liberian people is a mandate to end corruption in public service. PRESIDENT WEAH and his advisors need to seriously rethink their handling of the corruption issue. If the head of an integrity institution has integrity problems, no serious donor or stakeholder will take that entity seriously.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 06:00 UTC
Two-Horse Race In Bong County Senatorial Election
Rep. Cole last week assured residents of Bong County that Yallah would win the election, saying: “I am very optimistic that Yallah will emerge victorious because his achievements in the county for the past nine years show that he means well for residents,” Cole said. CPP and Rep MoyeThe CPP and Deputy Speaker Moye have a chance to win the December election. In terms of presence and candidate’s popularity in the county, Moye and CPP have what it takes to give the ruling CDC a good fight. Three members of the Bong Legislative Caucus including Moima Briggs-Mensah of Bong’s District Six, Rep. Robert Womba, lawmaker of District Four have all endorsed his senatorial bid. Thus, barring any unforeseen circumstances, a majority of Bong residents are waiting to see what the outcome of the ongoing power tussle would be in the county.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 05:48 UTC
Student Unification Party Condemns Slash in University of Liberia’s Budget, Calls for Normal Opening of School
The students said since the inception of the Weah-led government, there have been a ‘persistent reduction’ in the annual budget of the University of Liberia and ‘persistent increase’ in the allotments of some line ministries and agencies. The move, the students say is a direct contradiction to the advancement of education for national growth and development as espoused in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). The University of Liberia, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak launched its e-Learning program for all of its students including undergraduates and postgraduates. But SUP says the E-Learning program is not working properly. The lack of computer knowledge or training by both instructors and students of the University of Liberia is a major obstacle to the prosecution of e-Learning program at the nation’s premier university at this time, the students told the lawmakers.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 05:48 UTC
Liberia: Female Town Chief Benefits From Gbowee Peace Foundation Training
While speaking at a women’s peace brigade training in Bensonville, organized by Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa in collaboration with EU/UN Women Spotlight initiative and the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, Patience recounted how she successfully intervened in a case involving a man, who nearly killed his wife. At the Caldwell community, 10 women peace brigades sat under the voice of Cllr. She added that “political violence normally happens, during political campaigns and rallies and sometimes youth enter violence due to peer pressure”. The Gbowee Peace Foundation and partners said the training of the women is to sustain peace by mobilizing and empowering women in peace advocacy when addressing social vices in Montserrado, Lofa and Grand Gedeh Counties. We can also advise political parties to do away with political violence.”
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 05:37 UTC
Liberia: Tussle Over Ownership of Gospel Singer Marron Cassell ‘Late Husband’s’ Property
A tussle over the late Cassell property came before the Court after the lawyer representing Marron Cassell wrote a letter of complaint alleging that Mr. Popel had illegal occupied the propertyMonrovia – A legal battle is expected to commence shortly at the Monthly and Probate Court at the Temple of Justice to determine the ownership of property of the late Edward Cassell, husband of Gospel Music Ambassador Marron Cassell. Court records in the possession of FrontPageAfrica show that the two parties are claiming ownership of the property in the City of Paynesville. The other party claiming ownership is Marron D. Cassell who is identified as a wife of the deceased. A tussle over the late Cassell property came before the Court after the lawyer representing Marron Cassell wrote a letter of complaint alleging that Mr. Popel had illegal occupied the property. Gonqueh further alleged that Marron Cassell first name was Marron Dweh when she got married to the deceased and her name was changed to Marron Cassell.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 05:37 UTC
Action for Community Matters’ Anti-Covid-19 Intervention Benefits 108 Families
The donation, including 108 bags of rice (25kg each) and 115 nose masks valued at over US$2,000 United States Dollars, were presented to the women recently as part of ACOMA’s intervention supporting efforts to end covid19 in the country. Like Felecia, several others including eight staffers who benefited from ACOMA anti-covid-19 intervention in Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Rivercess and Nimba Counties were also grateful. Considering the average Liberian families of ten persons, the gesture benefited a little over 1,000 poor and marginalized people. Mrs. Peal, however, expressed deep gratitude to ACOMA’s many donors, especially Mrs. Michelle Lerach, for their unwavering support to the organization’s initiatives. She disclosed that Mrs. Lerach contributed US$1,700 United States Dollars toward ACOMA’s anti-covid19 intervention recently and about US$5,000 US Dollars during the 2014 Ebola pandemic.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 05:37 UTC
Liberia: Court To Decide Fate of Four Indicted Ex-CBL Officials In L$16 Billion Case
The Judge’s ruling, which may either acquit or convict the defendants, is subject to an appeal to the Supreme Court if the defendants are convicted. State lawyers argued that they have proven that the former CBL officials are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution further argued that the ex-CBL officials chose to print extra L$10 Billion outside of Legislative approval and in the process of printing the extra L$10 Billion, L$2.6 Billion of that amount could not be accounted for. Scott said the Legislature should be indicted because they passed a resolution to print money that was unlawful resolution and that the money government claimed to be unlawfully printed have been used by the same government. The former Chief Justice accused former House Speaker Nuquay, one of government’s witnesses in the case, of lying under oath that the Legislature did not give CBL the authority to the print money.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 05:26 UTC
Regional Integration as a Tool for Wealth Creation in Africa
No money, no movement, and a realization that most African countries lack economic diversity and resilience. And it means raising the standards within African supply chains to enable African firms to produce world class industrial products. The question becomes how to build the markets and supply chains needed to ensure Africa can provide for itself, including during emergencies. For example, Africa has several agricultural commodities on which regional value chains can be constructed. Fulfilling the African Development Bank’s High 5s priorities: Light Up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialise Africa; Integrate Africa; and, Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa, would address these challenges on multiple fronts and instrumentalize a tightly interconnected African market.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 21, 2020 05:15 UTC
USAID Launches Educational Stipend Cash Transfer Program To Aid Students Taking WASSCE During Covid-19 Outbreak In Liberia
The program funded by USAID will provide a one-time cash stipend of approximately US$ 50 to all 12th-grade students from public and private schools in Liberia’s fifteen counties who are registered to take the Exams. The stipends will be distributed via mobile money. Information about how eligible students can enroll online to receive their stipends can be found on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Education at https://www.facebook.com/LiberiaMOE/ and also at EducationLiberia.org. USAID Liberia Mission Director, Sara Walter, said the stipend program “reflects the commitment of the Government and People of the United States not only to help Liberia contain the spread of COVID-19 but to also deal with the broader impact of the disease, including the economic uncertainties it has created across Liberia.”Director Walter emphasized that the stipends will not be offered annually. She also noted “the very important role the Ministry of Education is playing to ensure the successful implementation of the program.”USAID’s COVID-19 educational stipend is one of many United States Government assistance programs provided by the U.S. Mission in Liberia to support education and training of Liberians and promote workforce readiness.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 20, 2020 16:07 UTC
Liberia: Defense Case Summary in L$16bn Trial
On January 9, 2020, the Prosecution filed a three-count Motion and entered Nolle Prosequi in favor of Crane Currency that was granted by this Court, thereby dismissing all charges against Crane Currency. WHETHER OR NOT THE PROSECUTION’S EVIDENCE ESTABLISHED BEYOND AND TO THE EXCLUSION OF REASONABLE DOUBT ANY CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY BETWEEN CO-DEFENDANT MILTON A. It is obvious and a matter of judicial notice that the CBL could not receive from Crane Currency what was not printed by Crane Currency. Crane Currency did in fact deliver the correct number and value of bank notes, as set out in two (2) delivery contracts and subsequent documented agreements between Crane Currency and the Central Bank of Liberia. The incontrovertible fact presented by all of the above species of evidence adduced at the trial and admitted into evidence by Co-defendant Milton A.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 20, 2020 12:33 UTC
African Development Bank Debars Four Companies Involved in Fraudulent and Collusive Practices for 24 Months
African Development Bank Debars Four Companies Involved in Fraudulent and Collusive Practices for 24 MonthsThe sanction renders Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated and Investment Co. Limited and Medniza Global Merchants Limited ineligible to participate in Bank-financed projects during the debarment periodAbidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – The African Development Bank Group on 20 August 2020, announces the 24-month debarment of Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated and Investment Co. Limited and Medniza Global Merchants Limited. The sanction renders Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated and Investment Co. Limited and Medniza Global Merchants Limited ineligible to participate in Bank-financed projects during the debarment period. Additionally, the 24-month debarment of the companies qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Recognition of Debarment Decisions, including the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank Group. The Zaria Water Supply Expansion and Sanitation Project in Nigeria is co-financed by the African Development Fund, an entity of the African Development Bank Group. About the Office of Integrity and Anti-CorruptionThe Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption of the African Development Bank Group is responsible for preventing, deterring and investigating allegations of corruption, fraud and other sanctionable practices in Bank Group-financed operations.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 20, 2020 11:48 UTC
Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo Commissions, Hands over AfCFTA Secretariat to AU Commission
Accra, Ghana – President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned and handed over the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to the African Union (AU) Commission. The event took place duing a brief ceremony at the Africa Trade House on Monday in Accra, the Ghanaian Capitol where President Akufo-Addo officially commissioned and handed over the AfCFTA Secretariat Building to the AUC Chairperson, MoussaFaki. Delivering a speech at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo stated that Ghana has discharged all of her obligations towards the establishment and the setting up of the office, following the selection of Ghana, in 2019, by the AU Assembly to host the AfCFTA Secretariat. We have provided also an appropriate, furnished residential accommodation as the official residence of the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA,” he said. “We are confident that, through your leadership and the determination of the AU Member States, all bracketed issues should be resolved,” President Ramaphosa said.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 20, 2020 06:55 UTC
Liberia: What Really Happened to the ‘Missing Pages’ in Investment Agreement Vetoed by the President
The President’s decision to send the bill back to the Legislature is in line with Article 35 of the Constitution which state:Who Flagged Missing Page? And these are standard positions of every concession agreement, every investment agreement. Sherman further explained that the proposal was then given it to National Investment Commission in quest for investment incentives. Sherman: “The law advised that for this type of investment, the investor, once NIC agrees is entitled to 15-years investment, provided that the President signs the investment agreement and it is submitted to the legislature for ratification. That’s when we discovered that the copy he had which he was going to print, page 31 was missing.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 20, 2020 05:48 UTC