Liberia: After President Summons Principal Aides, Will Inner Circle Infighting Subside?
Messrs. Shaw, Bernard, Twehway, Bright and Siryon are reportedly lobbying the President to part ways with McGill and Tweah. Escalating Tension in Public Glare“Why are they attacking Minister Tweah”, raged David Kolleh, assistant Minister of Information, Culture Affairs & Tourism, on his Facebook page Saturday. “Why are they attacking Minister Tweah”, raged David Kolleh, assistant Minister of Information, Culture Affairs & Tourism, on his Facebook page Saturday. I wonder what some of you will do when this very Freedom FM radio station wakes up one morning and start to rain insults on President Weah. When President Weah’s feud with his Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor was at its peak, the station used its platform to go after the VP and many within the party quietly celebrated.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 17, 2020 09:22 UTC
Liberia: Is Ex-CBL Governor Milton Weeks the Sacrificial Lamb in the ‘Missing Billions’ Saga?
The arrest followed the release of two major reports detailing widespread alleged malpractice at the Central Bank of Liberia. The Central Bank requested an additional 10 billion Liberian dollars, but the request was denied by the Senate. Former Governor Weeks who had stepped down when President Weah took office in January 2018 – surrendered to police. Solicitor General Sayma Cyrennius Cephus says three other officials at the Central Bank of Liberia – Hagba, Walker and Dennis – are also off the hook. This leaves former Governor Weeks as the fall guy in the LD16 billion saga.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 17, 2020 00:00 UTC
Liberian Journalist Presents LD60,000 to Help Fight COVID-19 in Nimba
Aced Journalist Jonathan Paye-Layleh has been making several humanitarian donations since the onset of COVID-19 in LiberiaMONROVIA – A seasoned Liberian journalist, Jonathan Paye-Layleh, says the best way to respond to global predictions that the coronavirus will cause more deaths in Africa is for people in places like Liberia to remain resilient and take the COVID-19 preventive measures seriously. He recalled when Ebola broke out in West Africa six years ago, there were all sorts of scary predictions, that tens of thousands of people were going to succumb to the virus. But, he said, affected countries managed to overcome and beat back the virus by following health protocols and remaining resilient. Journalist Paye-Layleh made the assertion over the weekend when he presented sixty thousand Liberian dollars (LD60,000) to mainly women organizations in an administrative district in Nimba County, as part of his ongoing effort to identify with the people there during the pandemic. Mr. Paye-Layleh, a native of the district, says he’s optimistic that Africa could surprise the rest of the world by instituting measures that would ensure the virus does not overcome the continent as being predicted in many quarters.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 21:15 UTC
Liberia: President’s ‘Kind Gesture’ to Muslim Community Launched
Making the pronouncement to representatives of the Muslim community, Mr. Varney Sirleaf, Minister of Internal Affairs, explained that the launch of the event came about when President Weah recently appealed to the Muslim community to offer more prayers for Liberia. Monrovia: The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched a food rationing scheme for the Muslim community in Liberia during the month of fasting activities dubbed “President George Manneh Weah’s Kind Gesture Toward Muslims in the Holy Month of Ramadan.”Making the pronouncement to representatives of the Muslim community, Mr. Varney Sirleaf, Minister of Internal Affairs, explained that the launch of the event came about when President Weah recently appealed to the Muslim community to offer more prayers for Liberia. The IA Minister it was in that light that the President decided to open all mosques and churches, so that religious communities can continue to pray for Liberia. Receiving the items, the National Chief Imam of the National Imam council of Liberia, Sheik Ali Krayee thanked President Weah for the gesture on behalf of the Muslim community in Liberia, adding that it is his fervent hope that whatever prayers the Muslim community offer during the month of Ramadan, will be excepted by God. Representing the National Superintendent’s Council of Liberia, the Superintendent of Grand Bassa County, Janjay Baikpeh extended his thanks and appreciation to the President.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 21:11 UTC
Liberia: Legal Aid Clinic to be established at Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law
Liberia: Legal Aid Clinic to be established at Louis Arthur Grimes School of LawCllr. Negbalee Warner, Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of law urged students to own the process, which takes into consideration a mix of knowledge and skills set. Monrovia – The Joint UNDP/OHCHR Rule of Law Programme is partnering with the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, to establish a Legal Aid Clinic in terms of programme objectives. The Clinic, when established, will enable law students to learn practical legal skills while providing legal aid services to indigent persons. A presentation was made to the Administration and students of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law recently on the campus.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 20:37 UTC
Liberia: GVL Lays Off Nearly 450 Workers
Employees in Sinoe and Grand Kru were affected, including general workers, staff, and managers, Kofi added. Oil palm price has fallen since the beginning this year by 452 Malaysian Ringgit (US$103.87) metric tons or 16.34 percent, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for the commodity. GVL signed a 65-year concession with Liberia in 2010 for 350,000 hectares of land or approximately 2.3 percent of Liberia’s total landmass. The company’s primary investor is Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), the world’s second-largest palm oil company, listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). It is the third time the company, the largest palm plantation in Liberia, has laid off staff.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 20:34 UTC
Liberia: UNDP/OHCHR Conduct Refresher training for Justice and Security Actors
The training was aimed at strengthening institutional capacity on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) mechanisms at the national and local levels, to respond to incidences of GBV and ensure access to justice for survivors of SGBV. Monrovia – UNDP and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) under a Joint Rule of Law, Justice and Security Program have collaborated with the Ministry of Justice Sexual and Gender Based Violence Crimes Unit, to conduct a three -day refresher training in Sanniquelle, Nimba County held 04-06 March. The training was aimed at strengthening institutional capacity on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) mechanisms at the national and local levels, to respond to incidences of GBV and ensure access to justice for survivors of SGBV. The application of international treaties/protocols and Integrating Human Rights approach and Monitoring into Gender Based Violence programmes was also highlighted. Participants of the training comprised, Judge of criminal Court E, SGBV Prosecutors, Magistrates, Case Liaison Officers, Victim Support Officers, Gender Coordinators, Women and Children Protection sections’ Officers, Nurses, Social Workers, CSOs and Human Rights Monitors.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 20:26 UTC
Liberia: Musician & His Brother Accused of Killing Motorcyclist Over 5LD in Nimba
Clinton Zuweh, 18, and his brother, Preston Zuweh 23-year-old are accused of killing motorcyclist Jerrico Such-Gongah. Franklin Doloquee, County CorrespondentSanniquellie, Nimba County – Police in Sanniquellie have arrested a Musician and his brother for allegedly stabbing to death a 23-year-old motorcyclist, Jerrico Suah-Gongah. Suspect Preston Zuweh, 23, a local musician renowned for the hit song, “Palamo, Pass Me the Liquor”, is the senior brother for Clinton Zuweh. He explained that his brother had phoned him to let him know that he had been attacked by the motorcyclist, Jerrico. Preston says he rushed to the booth to rescue his brother from the motorcyclist, but the deceased did not allow him to make peace.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 20:26 UTC
Liberia: UN Women Donates 10 motorbikes to MIA to Monitor Traditional School Closure
“We hope the closure of the bush schools will pave the way for the elimination of all harmful practices against women and girls in Liberia,” says Marie Goreth Nizigama, UN Women Country Representative for Liberia. “As the custodians of culture and traditional practices, traditional leaders play an important role in ending all forms of violence against women and girls. COVID-19 conditions are putting a lot of people under strain and increasing the risk of violence against women and girls. The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations. In Liberia, the Initiative seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls including Female Genital Mutilation.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 14:37 UTC
Liberia: Why Charges Were Dropped Against Charles E. Sirleaf in Ongoing L$16 B Saga – Solicitor General Sayma Cyrennius Cephus
In picture: Above is Solicitor General Sayma Cyrennius Cephus; (Below left to right) Mr. Charles E. Sirleaf, Mr. Milton A. Mr. Sirleaf is now a free man, while others, who were charged along with him were reduced to lesser charges and one still has all the original charges. When they went to Crane Currency, Crane Currency printed and delivered every other thing that they needed.”According to him, Sirleaf printed an entirely “new money”, containing L$500 denomination, which he said wasn’t the original objective and it was infused into the economy. Cephus said; adding, “That constitutes theft.”“They conspired, they concealed, they grossly misled and sabotaged the Liberian economy,” Cephus stressed. “All these monies were logged by the CBL (Central Bank of Liberia) and delivered into the reserved vaults of the CBL.”
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 03:33 UTC
Liberia: Logan Town Youths Rally to Feed Their Community
Monrovia – Youths of Blogwein Community in Logan Town have launched an initiative to feed struggling parents, physically-challenged people, the underprivileged and the blind. By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910)[email protected]The initiatives titled: “Help Blogwein Smile to Fight COVID-19,’ was initiated in order to raise food and non-food items as their (youths) way of giving back to the community they all grew up together. “This is not about politics, it’s about us giving back to the community we all grew up. As you can see, the bags of rice and other items were all provided by us and some friends that support our initiatives who have not lived in Blogwein,” Grant said. And we want to appreciate everyone whether in Liberia or abroad for the contribution you made.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 03:00 UTC
Catholic Clergyman Cautions against Retaliation amid Alleged Xenophobic Attacks on Africans In China
Paynesville – In the wake of alleged xenophobic attacks meted against Africans living in China, the head of the St. Kizito Catholic Church, Father Ambrose Kroma has advised against any forms of retaliatory actions by Africans. In recent weeks, there have been reports of xenophobic attacks against Africans in the People’s Republic of China in the wake of a so-called second wave of the Coronavirus outbreak emanating from infections outside of China. While the authorities in China have denied these incidents, there have been documented accounts of some forms of maltreatment meted against the African community in Guangzhou, Southern China. This is not the time for accusation and this is not the time for retaliation,” he urged. May God in his mercy give us that deeper faith, that deeper courage and that deeper love to always forgive and to mend our broken fences.”
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 02:11 UTC
Liberia Council Of Churches Calls For ‘Optional’ Resumption of Worship Services
Monrovia – The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), through its President Bishop Kortu K. Brown has called on the leaderships of various denominations and churches to optionally resume regular Sunday worship services, despite a request from President George Manneh Weah, calling for the reopening of churches this Sunday, May 17. Previously, the Liberian Chief Executive mandated the closure of all churches, and mosques, among others following the outbreak of Covid-19 in Liberia. Kortu Brown, President, Liberia Council of ChurchesBut addressing a news conference in Brewerville on Friday, Rev. Brown pointed out that the resumption of normal regular worship services in churches across the country lies in the preview of churches and denominations. “Reopening of churches or resumption of regular worship services should remain optional to every denomination or church based on the individual assessments of the situation”.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 00:00 UTC
Global Alliance Helped Liberia During Ebola Outbreak, Says Ex-President Sirleaf
Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf underscored that the deadly Ebola virus could not be easily contained or restrained if the necessary support was not accorded Liberia during the 2014 outbreak. Nearly 5000 persons died in Liberia as a result of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the country in 2014, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Madam Sirleaf disclosed that following the outbreak of the killer disease in the post-conflict nation, she personally made a telephone call to President Obama, and wrote a letter to the world soliciting help and support. “President Obama responded so graciously and fully. Lockdown is temporarySince the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus across the world, including Liberia, authorities have introduced a lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus in their respective countries.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 16, 2020 00:00 UTC
Liberia: Survivors’ Story – Artisanal Miners Explain Daring Escape from Gold Mine Collapse
The Jackson Village gold mine collapsed last week, killing at least four miners and trapping more than ten others underground, police in Bong County told FrontPage Africa recently. The artisanal miners never emerged Wednesday, May 6 from after entering the night before, police said. As efforts to rescue the miners continue, authorities don’t know yet the exact number of trapped miners, although four are feared dead, Bong County police commander told FrontPage Africa. Togba said they had to step on dead bodies and there was a possibility of a high number of miners still underground. Those who survived were reported to have sought refuge in an area once drilled by miners who were looking for samples during exploration.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 15, 2020 19:30 UTC