Cycle of Corruption and Blame Games
But within a few years, the young head of state developed dictatorial tendencies and began crushing the voices of dissent. Eventually, Taylor’s problems compounded and he was forced to leave under indictment by the international criminal tribunal, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf came along following an election in 2005. I must admit that the Ellen administration did some good things in terms of advancing women’s rights, etc. For reasons mentioned above, the Foundation for Human Rights Defense remains appalled by the Oslo Nobel Committee’s decision to award President Sirleaf the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. I will reserve further judgement and see if this administration will take action to deliver justice and equality to all of its people.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 08, 2020 03:56 UTC
Liberia: Opposition Alliance Risks Midterm Elections’ Losses with Messy, Indecisive Gamble
It’s something that I will fight, I’m not agreeing.” Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence(Liberty Party, Grand Bassa)The Grand Bassa lawmaker has not hidden her desire to see more women representation in the legislature. Senator Lawrence sees her as one of the sure bets if the opposition alliance is to make some gains in the Midterm elections. Political watchers say another messy climax may be looming with lack of leadership and unclear path in selecting their choice to contest the Senatorial seat for Lofa County. Bangalu is known to be a sports enthusiast in Lofa county and has been a staunch supporter and promoter of sports in Lofa, especially the football team. In 2018, Yallah announced that his intent to ensure that the lower fragment of the county gained county status through a legislation.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 08, 2020 01:30 UTC
Liberia: Rival Groups of Opposition ANC Youth Wing Riot over Party’s Supremacy
After the riot subsided, riot police rushed to the scene and arrested an individual believed to be a partisan of ANC who was seen with a cutlass in his hand. Monrovia – The scene at the Alternative National Congress Headquarter became chaotic early Sunday afternoon when rival groups of the party’s youth wing staged a riot over the decision to suspend the T. Benjamin Myers, the Youth Chairman. Speaking to Journalists, Representative Kolubah said the party wrangling is common among political parties in Liberia and his party the ANC is no exception. Mr. Kesselly Mulbah said the action to suspend Myers was in line with the party’s constitution breached by Myers. Mulbah said the Indomitable Youth Congress made the decision after it probed into serious violations of the party’s constitution.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 08, 2020 00:45 UTC
Liberia: Thunderstorm Kills Four Person in Lower Johnsonville
Some Members of the bereaved family and community members were in tears, saying they will find it difficult to bear such sorrow. Montserrado – Scores of onlookers gathered the residents of the deceased Annie David on Saturday morning, June 6 after a storm disaster left four persons dead in Johnsonville. The deceased resided opposite the Patmelia Academy School System, owned by businessman and former Montserrado County District No. When contacted about the situation via mobile phone, Mr. Komoyan said the situation was shocking. This is a sad day for the community and only God knows why it happened that way.”
Source:Front Page Africa
June 08, 2020 00:45 UTC
Strengthening Healthcare System In Liberia In Readiness For Future Pandemics
However, what can the government of Liberia do to strengthen the healthcare system so that to fight any future pandemics? Therefore, the number of the healthcare workforce in Liberia is minimal compared to the World Health Organization recommendation of 22 healthcare workers per 10,000 persons. However, the International Labor Organization recommends that 41 healthcare workers against 10,000 people need to enhance an adequate healthcare system. The government of Liberia is working in collaboration with other partners to promote the healthcare system. However, more funding is needed to help strengthen Liberia’s healthcare system in readiness for future pandemics.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 23:03 UTC
Liberia: Commuters Dread Vai Town Route As Construction Project Drags On
The taxi driver had just spent nearly three hours in the traffic from downtown Monrovia en route to the Freeport of Monrovia. Minister Nyenpan explained to FrontPageAfrica at the weekend that COVID – 19 has had a paralysing effect on the progress of Road rehabilitation works. Pavement will then follow.”President George Weah, also visited the project area on Saturday, indicative of the seriousness the administration is finally attaching to the project. Additionally, Minister Nyenpan says, multiple teams are being deployed to work on various sections simultaneously. For commuters of the Vai Town route, the bad condition of the road is bad for business and travel, a somewhat ironic assessment for President Weah’s government trumpeting the remedy as the “Bad Road Medicine.”
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 23:01 UTC
Post COVID-19 Liberia: Bracing for the New Normal
LIBERIA HAS TO DATE recorded 334 cases, with 128 still active, 30 deaths and 176 recoveries. ON THE CONTINENT of Africa as a whole, more than 36 000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 1500 deaths have been recorded. According to the World Health Organization, West and Central Africa are the most hit. ACROSS the continent, many countries implemented lockdowns and key public health measures early and these appear to have helped slow down the spread of the disease. However, there are concerns that if these measures are relaxed too quickly, COVID-19 cases could start increasing rapidly.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 07, 2020 22:41 UTC
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: 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: 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: 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