COVID-19 Creates Additional Burden for Physically Challenged Liberians
Victor Wilson is the President of the Mission of Hope for the Disabled people in Johnsonville, lower Montserrado County. Mr. Wilson also said the lack of food remains a concern, and might force self-quarantine, in order to seek needed assistance from caregivers. He said the blind are especially challenged in usage of the handwashing buckets, due to difficulties in accessing them. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a pandemic, due to the speed and scale of transmission. WHO and public health authorities around the world are taking actions to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 23:15 UTC
Sampling Regime Used for COVID-19 Testing in Liberia Likely to Discourage Candidates from Availing Themselves for Testing
The candidate’ specimen and filled form are taken by the technicians for testing and filing. In the event that candidate ‘X’ test result comes back positive, there is a higher chance that the candidate name appears in the media even before he/she is made aware of the said result. The candidate’ specimen and filled form are taken by the technicians for testing and filing. When the second team arrives, the first team departs with the sample to the laboratory for sample preparation and analysis. The task of the second team would be to fill in the form left behind by the first team.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 21:22 UTC
Open Letter: Head of Civil Society Resigns from Committee to Probe Brutality against Journalists
Dear Mr. Chairman:Please accept this letter as our official withdrawal from the Presidential Committee constituted to probe violence against journalists in Liberia. Reasons for our withdrawal are based on similar concerns raised by Mr. Peter Quaqua, President of the West Africa Journalist Association (WAJA). Besides, assaults on journalists contravene a number of national and international legal instruments that safeguard the rights and freedoms of journalists and whistleblowers. If this was the intention, then it was a terrible miscalculation, which the National Civil Society Council of Liberia detests in the strongest terms. This seriously runs in opposition to the view we espouse that collective actions must be the hallmark of an important Committee of such.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 21:08 UTC
Liberia: Speaker House Speaker Claims Innocence in Manhandling of Businessman
Mr. Winn was humiliated and beaten by Security guards of the Speaker during a sit-in action in demand of payment of his money owed him by the House of Representatives. Mr. Winn says his payment is four-months behind deadline in keeping with the agreement. In tears, Mr. Winn explained that he borrowed US$19,000 from GN Bank to pre-finance the work and is now being harassed by the bank for payment. Human right abused“What happened to Mr. Winn yesterday is a gross violation of his rights. Toe said: “What happened to Mr. Winn yesterday is a gross violation of his rights.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 20:37 UTC
CDC Secretariat Donates Food Items to Less Fortunate People In Montserrado
Monrovia – The National Secretariat of the Congress for Democratic Change is preparing to donate 500 bags of rice to several vulnerable communities in Montserrado County. Speaking Tuesday, April 28 in Monrovia, the Secretary of CDC Montserrado County chapter, Sylvester Kannah said the donation will be made to disabled people and orphanages in each of the 17 districts of the county. Kanneh said it is important that the ruling party intervene with rice distribution to vulnerable because many families are finding it difficult to get food during the health crisis. The distribution of the rice was an initial process and will be continued if the National Secretariat gets additional funding, he said. Meanwhile, the CDC Montserrado County chapter called on all Liberians to join the fight against COVID-19 in the country.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 20:03 UTC
PUL Slams MICAT’s Plan To Issue New Covid-19 Pass To Journalists
Monrovia – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) says it is not part and does not support the printing of new passes by Deputy Information Minister for public affairs, Eugene Fahngon. The PUL in a release expressed disapproval to the new directive of Deputy Minister Eugene Fahngon calling for the cancellation of current press passes and the printing of new passes insolation with the PUL. The Union believes that Deputy Minister Fahngon unilateral action perhaps is intended to selectively provide accreditation to certain Media outlets and deny other Media institutions. Meanwhile, the Press Union of Liberia wants stronger solidarity between and among journalists and Media institutions in the difficult times of the nation’s history. The comments about printing new press pass come the same day Liberia’s solicitor General, Cllr.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 19:52 UTC
Liberia: ‘Mad Man’ Accused of Breaking into President Weah’s Home, Says He Had a Message
As I reached to President Weah area, the police people were there. “Yes, a mad man forced his way through security barriers while he was been questioned. He said there were 2000 genies behind him telling him to go and deliver his message to the President,” Layee said. Asked whether he was a mad man as being claimed by the President’s office and the EPS, Mohammed says he is not crazy. As I reached to President Weah area, the police people were there.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 18:45 UTC
Liberia: Chief Prosecutor Threatens to Use State of Emergency Powers to Shutdown Media Over ‘Fake News’
Cephas: “There is a state of emergency, what has happened under Article 87 [of the Constitution] is that all basic fundamental rights have been suspended…”MONROVIA – The Solicitor General of Liberia, Cllr. “Beginning today there will be no more warning, I repeat, I am the Solicitor General and Chief Prosecutor of this Republic, there will be no more warning. Sayma Syrenius CephasHe alleged that some media institutions have been using their platforms to spread ‘fake news’, which, according to him, is hindering the government’s effort in the COVID-19 fight. He, however, did not cite an example of such fake news or the media entities involved. Cephas emphasized: “Beginning today there will be no more warning, I repeat, I am the Solicitor General and Chief Prosecutor of this Republic, there will be no more warning.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 17:15 UTC
ICE Removes Liberian Security Forces Commander
MINNEAPOLIS — A member of the Liberian security forces under the regime of Liberian President Charles Taylor was removed Tuesday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Alexander Mentol Zinnah, 56, arrived in Liberia escorted by ERO officers on board an ICE charter removal flight and was turned over to Liberian law enforcement authorities. The enforcement efforts targeting Zinnah were supported by ICE’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). During that same period, ICE obtained deportation orders and/order physically removed from the United States more than 1050 known or suspected human rights violators. Currently, HSI has more than 180 active investigations into suspected human rights violators and is pursuing more than 1,640 leads and removal cases involving suspected human rights violators from 95 different countries.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 16:30 UTC
LIBERIA: National Security Agency Probing NPHIL Lab Workers Over Leaks of COVID-19 Test Results
Monrovia – The National Security Agency on Wednesday began investigating lab technicians at the National Public Health Institute over recent leaks of testing results to the media. The National Security Agency (NSA) is an apolitical government intelligence institution that is solely tasked with the gathering/collection, analyzing and dissemination of national security information for decision/policy makers including the President of the Republic of Liberia. The National Public Health Institute is the coordinating arm for the Ministry of Health. However, the issue is being debated globally in efforts to differentiate between public health ethics of contact tracing in a public health situation versus the public has a right to know in the situation of outbreak. Right-to-Know vs. Public SafetyHowever, the issue is being debated globally in efforts to differentiate between public health ethics of contact tracing in a public health situation versus the public has a right to know in the situation of outbreak.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 15:45 UTC
Liberia: Public Health Association Wants Inclusion of Qualified Professional in COVID-19 Fight
Monrovia – The Liberia Public Health Association has called for the inclusion of “competent and qualified” skilled members to join the ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic. She added that members of LPHA have already positioned themselves with a community-based approach strategic plan. Ms Martin added that the association intends to engage community leaders as appropriate human resource in their strategic plan to combat the disease. Although other professionals are already contributing to the response against COVID-19, the lack of more public health professionals with the requisite expertise in infectious disease control will delay the process of containing COVID-19, she cautioned. “LPHA solicits speedy response from the Government of Liberia through the Executive Committee on Coronavirus, headed by Madam Mary T. Broh.”
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 13:50 UTC
Liberia: EPA Deputy Executive Director Randall Dobayou ‘Lied’ on His Academic Credentials?
Defending his credentials during a press conference on Tuesday, Dobayou said, “I completed all of my courses at AMEU before I was suspended. It was very recent that we handed him his credentials because he just completed his courses. Dobayou through messaging app, WhatsApp, confirmed to FrontPageAfrica his credentials obtained from AMEU are dated 2019/2020. It was very recent that we handed him his credentials because he just completed his courses. As a partisan, he appointed by President George Weah to serve as the Deputy Executive Director of the EPA.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 09:45 UTC
Liberia: Women in Bong County Lament Husbands’ Inability to Fend for Food Due to Lockdown
FrontPageAfrica Tuesday spoke with some pregnant women, who claimed that they are going through tough time, even as they complain of restlessness, weakness and tiredness due to hunger. The Bong housewife, who is five months pregnant, said the lockdown has denied her access to balanced diet as her husband, a painter, has been out of job since the lockdown began. Another woman, Mrs. Nowai Kollie, 28, who is four months pregnant, says the lockdown has inflicted poverty on her family. “No money to buy fruit and vegetables that are good for pregnant women. The doctor added, “My prayer is that women don’t die [while] trying to access maternity services because of this lockdown.”
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 05:48 UTC
Liberia: Brain Tumor Patient Appeals for Help
Comfort’s condition worsened last week and a neurosurgeon doctor in Monrovia has suggested she be sent overseas for appropriate treatment. It will cost US$4,000Gbarnga, Bong County – A 27-year-old brain tumor patient is appealing for public assistance to have surgery. Comfort’s condition worsened last week and a neurosurgeon doctor in Monrovia has suggested she be sent overseas for appropriate treatment. They held a fund raising rally. Sackie said the family would be organizing another fundraising rally next week to buy tickets to help save his daughter.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 05:03 UTC
Liberia: German Biomedical Engineer Manufactures Local ‘Ventilator’ Using Scrap Medical Equipment
Why Is Ventilator So Important and CostSimply put, a ventilator takes over the body’s breathing process when disease has caused the lungs to fail. FrontPageAfrica met Mr. Goldman at the head office of the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) where he had gone to display how the live-saving machine works. According to Mr. Goldman, his simple ventilator can be built by any good bio-technician. This machine is portable and can be easily moved from room to room,” Mr. Goldman, who works at the ELWA Hospital, said. Mr. Hans Goldman, a German Biomedical Engineer, who has built a ventilator with scrap medical materialsThe medical Bioengineer said the good thing about the machine is that all of its parts can be found right inside Liberia at various health facilities.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 29, 2020 00:44 UTC