Liberia: Are We Out of the Woods? COVID-19 ‘Not Over Until it’s Over’, Expert Says
To date, Africa has recorded more than 36 000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 1500 deaths. WHO has issued interim guidance to Member States, which encourage a gradual adjustment of public health and social measures, while constantly assessing risks. Airport Reopening June 21The President also announced that the Roberts International Airport will reopen open to commercial flights on the 21st of June. This coming on the heels of several meetings between authorities at the Roberts International Airport and stakeholders, both local and international to explore the possibility of reopening the Roberts International Airport to commercial flights. The new concept is drafted in in keeping with an advisory from the Airport Council International and the National Public Health Institute.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 22:38 UTC
Liberia: Lockdown Mounts More Misery On ‘Zogos’
Daniel Johnson, who sleeps on the streets of Monrovia, says he finds it more difficult to survive during this lockdown. Johnson survives by selling water in containers in Monrovia, but with a lockdown in the city, life is more difficult for him. With President George Weah imposing a lockdown in the capital, they cannot do any of these things to support themselves. Zogos have crowded the streets of Monrovia and communities outside of the capital since the imposition of the state of emergency. Findley Karngar blames President Weah for zogos’ predicament, slamming his “abrupt” pronouncement of the state of emergency.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 22:28 UTC
Liberia: Kids Education Engagement Project Launches First COVID-19 Activity Book for Children
The project, KEEP’s Executive Director Brenda Moore said is aligned with everything her organization stands for and has three components, including the development of an activity book which was launched. The book is titled, “An Activity Book for Early Learners” and will be distributed free of charge to about 3,000 children and their parents. According to UNESCO, the education of nearly 1.6 billion pupils in 190 countries including Liberia has so far been affected. This activity book has series of activities that any parent with minimum education can teach their child,” she said. The project, she said is aligned with everything her organization stands for and has three components, including the development of an activity book which was launched.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 22:18 UTC
Liberia: Roberts International Airport Set to Reopen June 21st
President Weah has instructed the Ministers of Transport and Health; the heads of the Liberian Civil Aviation Authority, the Liberian Airport Authority and the National Public Health Institute to publish the health protocols that will be instituted once the airport resumes operations. Monrovia- President George Manneh Weah said the State of Emergency which is due to expire on June 9, 2020 will not be renewed. At the same time, President Weah has extended by two more weeks guidelines intended to prevent the spread of the virus. Going forward, the modification of the guideline required all, those residing in Liberia to be indoors by 9pm, instead of the previous time of 6pm. “Movement to and from counties not yet affected by COVID-19 will be restricted,” the released maintained.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 22:07 UTC
Liberia: St. Paul Presbyterian School Gives to Parents for Students’ Upkeep
Monrovia – The St. Paul Presbyterian School, along the Barnesville Road, has handed out black polythene bags of rice to parents and guardians for the upkeep of their children amid the global pandemic of Covid-19. Ms. Des Jardins became the head of GLC and for more than 10 years provided adequate support to the school in Liberia. “In 2015, the GLC under Michelle even provided, during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, food to the teachers and students. Each of St. Paul’s 200 students received two 100-pound bags of rice and five gallons of vegetable oil,” she said. “We are asking you to please continue to help her support the school, especially Michelle and her son.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 05:15 UTC
Liberia: Mental Health Coalition Identifies with Those Living in Recovery Amid Covid-19
Liberia Coalition of Mental Health Services presenting anti-Covid-19 materials to organization of people recovering from mental illnessesMonrovia – The Liberia Coalition of Mental Health Services (LCMHS) has presented assorted items, including rice, Clorox, detergent to the Cultivating Users’ Hope (CUH). CUH is a local organization put together by people in recovery of mental illnesses. “As outlined by WHO in one of its editorials, the pandemic has had more mental health and psychological-related problems; therefore, the WHO has asked countries to pay more attention to the psychological and mental health needs of its people,” she stated. Mrs. Thomas further said the Coalition which is working to strengthen the mental health services in Liberia, asked its partner OSIWA for funding in order to carry on awareness, provide wash materials and food targeting rural Montserrado areas. “As persons living in recovery from mental illness, this is the first gesture of goodwill that we have received since the lockdown,” Rev.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 05:15 UTC
Diaspora Liberian Asso. Urges Weah, Legislature to Institute Strong Measures against Perpetrators of Rape and Child Abusers
Washington DC – The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA or Union) has expressed concerns over the prevailing situations of rampant violence against children especially teenage girls, who are experiencing rape, abuse, sexual harassment and exploitation. In a press release, the Union said raping of children can lead to emotional abuse, neglect and can negatively impact the developmental wellbeing of children in the Liberian Society. “In this light, the Union condemns the terror of rape unleashed upon the 15-year-old by her stepfather in Lofa County, and also, calls on the Government of Liberia to immediately bring the perpetrator of this diabolical act to justice without delay,” ULAA press release states. The ULAA is a voluntary, nonprofit, and non-governmental organization formed on July 4, 1974 in Philadelphia, United States of America. Recently, the alleged rapist of the 15-year-old child, Johnson Chuluty, 36, admitted to his diabolical act shortly after he had been charged.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 05:15 UTC
Liberia: Senate Want Mid-Term Senatorial Elections Held December 8th
H. Varney G. Sherman, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee blame the postponement of the Mid Term Senatorial elections to the deadly Coronavirus pandemic and the lack of funds. The committee then recommended that the legislature quickly act to allot funding for the conduct of the elections in December. Monrovia – The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has endorsed recommendations from its joint Committee on Judiciary and Autonomous to postpone the October 13, 2020 referendum and senatorial elections to December 8, 2020. The committee then recommended that the legislature quickly act to allot funding for the conduct of the elections in December. As such the NEC has suggested December 15, 2020 as an ideal date to conduct elections and referendum.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 00:45 UTC
Liberia: Ruling CDC Backs Pro-Tempore Chie on Support to Dillon’s Senatorial Bid
In the ruling Party, some Partisans felt betrayed that the Pro-Temp, who is a partisan of the ruling Collation for Democratic Change (CDC) would aid the candidacy of an opposition candidate against the party’s interest. On Friday, Mr. Mulbah Morlu, Chair of the ruling CDC, called a news conference to respond to what he called a “misrepresentation of the Pro-Temp’s statement” by those in the opposition. “Senator Chie remains a strong Partisans of the CDC. “We need to ensure the viability of our partisans [militants]. The party remains supreme and this is the mandate for June,” said Chairman Morlu.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 00:45 UTC
Liberia: Justice Minister Erred in Correcting Date for Ending State of Emergency
Report by Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]Joint resolution signed by the Legislature on April 17 which clearly stated that the state of emergency was effective as of April 10, 2020. I just read a Frontpage Africa news quoting Justice Minister Musa Dean as saying the State of Emergency ends on 21st June. This means, the State of Emergency ceases to exit starting at 11:59 on June 9 WITHOUT a legislative renewal. That the State of Emergency is approved for a period of up to sixty (60) days from its effective date of April 10, 2020. Accordingly, the Minister of Justice hereby also clarifies that, unless otherwise extended by a Joint Resolution of the Legislature and approved by President Weah, the State Of Emergency shall expire on the 21st day of June 2020.”
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 00:22 UTC
Liberia: State Of Emergency Not Ending June 9
The Justice Minister noted that the effective date of the commencement of the 60-day state of emergency was April 21, therefore, the official expiration would be June 21, contrary to the June 9 mentioned in the Executive Mansion press releaseMONROVIA – The Ministry of Justice has clarified that the June 9 date contained in the Executive Mansion press release as the stipulated date ending the state of emergency was an error. According to the Justice Ministry, though President Weah made the initial declaration, it was endorsed by the Legislature on April 21, 2020. The Justice Minister noted that the effective date of the commencement of the 60-day state of emergency was April 21, therefore, the official expiration would be June 21, contrary to the June 9 mentioned in the Executive Mansion press release. Meanwhile, President Weah has extended by two more weeks guidelines intended to prevent the spread of the virus, with the following modifications:1) All are now required to be indoors by 9pm, instead of the previous time of 6pm. All other protocols that were previously announced not amended by this release remain in force.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 06, 2020 20:03 UTC
Liberia: Government Still Raising Hope over COVID-19 Food Distribution
“The full costing to cover this period in affected and other areas may add up to around $40 million. The stimulus package, according to the President’s plan was to further help the banks to increase lending to new borrowers. Sen. Dillon believes the money being pumped into the food distribution could be more meaningful if its redirected into aiding school tuitions for students are the country is about to see the gradual reopening of schools. Tarpeh: Food Distribution Not 419The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Prof. Wilson Tarpeh who heads the committee set by the President to spearhead the food distribution told residents of Peace Island Community over the weekend that the government’s promise is not “419” (a scam). He disclosed that 30 years ago, the World Food Program carried out similar food distribution in the country.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 06, 2020 16:48 UTC
Liberia: President Weah Says No Renewal for State of Emergency; Curfew Further Relaxed
Monrovia, Liberia: The President of the Republic, Dr. George Manneh Weah has said that the state of emergency which is due to expire on June 9, 2020 will not be renewed. President Weah said given the country’s level of experience with the Coronavirus and its mode of transmission, the strides being made in its containment and in view of developments in other countries, the need for further extension of the constitutional measure is not required. Meanwhile, President Weah has extended by two more weeks guidelines intended to prevent the spread of the virus, with the following modifications:1) All are now required to be indoors by 9pm, instead of the previous time of 6pm. 4) Opening of the Roberts International Airport to commercial flights on the 21st of June. All other protocols that were previously announced not amended by this release remain in force.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 05, 2020 21:33 UTC
IMF Board Approves US$50M Budget Support for Liberia
Both the Government and the IMF are expected to undertake the first review under the ECF, delayed by COVID19. They welcomed Liberia’s strong commitment to macroeconomic and institutional reforms, especially its commitment to reforms under the External Credit Facility, which was approved by the Board of the IMF on 11 December 2019. Both the Government and the IMF are expected to undertake the first review under the ECF, delayed by COVID19. Liberia’s performance under the ECF and the country’s commitment to unprecedented macroeconomic and institutional reforms are winning international commendations. It informs partners and the general public that a dashboard on COVID-19 resources will soon be made publicly available.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 05, 2020 21:33 UTC
Journalist Samuel Wazizi Died in Custody Last Year, Cameroon Military Spokesperson Says
Police arrested Wazizi on August 2, and transferred him to military custody on August 7, after which he was held incommunicado, according to CPJ research. New York — In response to a statement issued by the Cameroonian Ministry of Defense today that journalist Samuel Wazizi died in government custody in August 2019, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:“The Cameroonian government’s cruel treatment of journalist Samuel Wazizi is truly shocking. The statement denied that Wazizi had been tortured or abused, and said that the journalist’s family had been in contact with him in custody. Police arrested Wazizi on August 2, and transferred him to military custody on August 7, after which he was held incommunicado, according to CPJ research. In 2010, journalist Bibi Ngota similarly died while in government custody; his death certificate said he died from a lack of medical attention while in prison, according to CPJ research.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 05, 2020 20:48 UTC