Will IMF Debt Relief Help Liberia Rebound From COVID-19 Economic Shock?
FrontPageAfrica: Thank you for taking our call Minister Flomo, can you tell us how will this debt relief by the IMF benefit the Liberians directly? So, it is a combination of these four team members that I call the rectangle edge of the economic rebound that must take place immediately during the COVID-19 crisis to keep the economic rebound in sight. If we don’t, then it could drag our economic rebound even further after the COVID-19. FPA: Does Liberia anticipate debt relief from other international borrowers like the Arab Bank and the Chinese Export-Import Bank? FPA: Just in couple of words, if you are to breakdown how the IMF debt relief will benefit ordinary Liberians, what will you say?
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 13:24 UTC
‘Give Inmates Special Attention During COVID-19’
Monrovia – Following the deceleration of the State of Emergency by President George M. Weah, two civil society organizations, Her Voice Liberia and Sister’s Hand, are calling for special attention to be paid to inmates at various prison facilities across the country. Margaret Nigba, Executive Director of Her Voice Liberia said social distancing and isolation is a major challenge for inmates at various prison facilities around the country due to limited space. Meanwhile, the human rights advocacy organizations have alarmed over reports of security brutalities against citizens where security forces are said to be beating people within the communities. Nigba declared that respect for basic human rights should be at the core of enforcement of preventive measures during the State of Emergency. She said the two organizations will be very rigorous in monitoring events in prison facilities around the country and also trend of human rights events in communities and homes.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 13:18 UTC
Situation Report Details Challenges Battling COVID-19 in Rural Liberia
The case later travelled from Marshall Margibi County to Zuotuo/ Tappita District, Nimba County to perform dowry payment (Traditional marry rite). However, our correspondent says, the family are disputing the results from the county health team, terming it as false. 2 in Nimba County. Several young people who spoke with our Nimba County correspondent accuse the County Superintendent Nelson Korquoi and the County health team for seek funding from the international community to get rich. Nimba County Correspondent Franklin Doloquee Contributed to this report
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 12:22 UTC
Fighting COVID-19 is a Battle for Human Rights
The Covid-19 crisis is a human rights issue, one of the most global and urgent we have ever seen. “The inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family” are among the opening words of the Universal Declaration of human rights, adopted just over 70 years ago. Human rights are at the core of the battle against COVID-19. This is a time for solidarity and for human rights to be at the centre of our endeavours. Let us not forget that human rights define our very humanity.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 08:48 UTC
Liberia Among 25 Countries to Receive Debt Relief Service from IMF
Ms. Kristalina Georgieva: “This provides grants to our poorest and most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six months and will help them channel more of their scarce financial resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief efforts. MONROVIA – Liberia is among 25 countries whose debts are being relieved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of strengthening global efforts against COVID-19. According to a dispatch from the IMF, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the Executive Board approved immediate debt service relief to 25 of the IMF’s member countries under the IMF’s revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) as part of the Fund’s response to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The CCRT can currently provide about US$500 million in grant-based debt service relief, including the recent US$185 million pledge by the U.K. and US$100 million provided by Japan as immediately available resources. I urge other donors to help us replenish the Trust’s resources and boost further our ability to provide additional debt service relief for a full two years to our poorest member countries.”The countries that will receive debt service relief today are: Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, D.R., The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Togo, and Yemen.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 08:26 UTC
Liberia: Public Health Institute, Health Ministry Launch COVID-19 Rapid Self-Assessment Tool
Minister of Health Dr. Wilhemina Jallah and the Director of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) Dr. Mosoka FallahMONROVIA – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced the launch of the Liberia COVID-19 Rapid Assessment System (RAS), a public health tool to enable Liberians to assess their symptoms while allowing MOH and NPHIL to collect real-time information on potential COVID-19 cases nationwide. NPHIL urges all members of the public who wish to check if their symptoms match COVID-19 to dial *747*19# on the Lonestar Cell MTN network. The RAS is provided free of charge to the public; no phone credit will be deducted for anyone who uses the service. The tool was developed by a team led by Dr. Mosoka Fallah, Director General of NPHIL in collaboration with the Private Sector Engagement Committee. The system also meets the need for a simple tool for public health response teams to conduct contact tracing and case assessment without dependence on expensive devices that require accessto the internet.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 07:52 UTC
Liberian-American Based Human Rights Advocate Proposes Formation of New Nation that Guarantees Equal Opportunities for All
Krua is a native Liberian of the Dan ethnic group from Nimba County, the north-eastern region of Liberia. The Liberian Civil War, he added, was plotted, funded and executed from America by American Citizens and American Persons with Green Cards. Even so, refugees of the Liberian civil war were denied access to humanitarian assistance in America for decades, he said. Thus America excluded and continues to exclude Native Americans, indentured servants, slaves, free blacks and later Asians. “US President, James Monroe was a good man who helped free slaves, gave his money for freed slaves to settle in Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 07:52 UTC
Liberia: Police, Immigration Officers in Fist Fight Over Control of Illegal Border Entry Point
Ganta, Nimba County – A fistfight is said to have taken place between officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Liberia Immigration Services (LIS) over the control of an illegal entry point into the country. These travelers are using unauthorized border entry and departure posts. According to reports, those illegal entry points, which are now being used by these travelers, are being manned by LIS personnel and Custom officers. Illegal entry has also left its marks on some state security personnel. Gbuyee is few miles from Ganta City, where the official and international entry point is located between Guinea and Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 01:07 UTC
Liberia: National Civil Society Council Calls on Government to Cease Coronavirus Violence
Police officers hold rattans at a checkpoint on the Gabriel Tucker Bridge in Monrovia on April 12, 2020Monrovia – State Security forces must stop all violence against people during this state of emergency announced to stem out the deadly Novel Coronavirus disease the National Civil Society Council of Liberia has said. The largest civil society group, a conglomerate of civil society groups, community-based organizations and grassroots institutions across the country, welcomed the decision of the government to defeat the coronavirus pandemic but urged state security actors to ensure the rights of people are respected. Footage and photos of security forces manhandling people on the streets and in markets have emerged on social media. “Media reports alleging violence against citizens in Nimba, Bong and other counties reportedly by elements of the Joint Security Forces are disturbing,” Mrs. Pope-Kai added. She added that youths that make up the majority of these vigilantes were neither uniformed nor identifiable, and appeared to be operating outside of the national COVID-19 and state security response system.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 01:07 UTC
Liberia: Mutual Benefit Insurance Company Gives to Disadvantaged Amid National Fight against COVID-19
Speaking to FrontPageAfrica at their head office in Sinkor, the Marketing Manager of the company, S. Ignatius Satiah, urged Liberians to be steadfast in adhering to the health protocols. Satiah added: “This is our own way of telling them be home, be safe and have something to eat. According to the insurance company, their gift items are valued at US$10,000. We say so much thank you.”Fallah also called other philanthropic organizations/institutions to support the visually impaired community. The insurance company is one of the leading brands in the Liberian insurance industry with over 7000 clients covered.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 00:45 UTC
ECOWAS, EU, Others Receive BFF, WBB Plaques of Honor
“Peace is not abstract, it is linked to work, justice and development,” Ambassador Ajisomo said to the gathering of cross-border women. During the honoring ceremony held on Monday, March 16, 2020, accolades were bestowed on Representatives of ECOWAS, EU and GOL. The women lauded ECOWAS for its positive contributions to their business activities, leading to improving their individual and collective livelihoods. They all characterized the honoring program as rewardingly, befitting and responsive to enhancing the wellbeing of the women of ECOWAS. Better Future Foundation (BFF), a non-state actor and an advocate of ECOWAS regional integration, is a civil society organization dedicated to the postwar reconstruction and development of Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 00:22 UTC
Liberia: Lab Director at NPHIL Uses Fake Name, Tests Positive for COVID-19
Using the name Benjamin C. Tokofo, Soko’s worst fears became a reality, his test came back positive. Some staffers, confiding to FPA said they were notified last Saturday about the positive test but it is still unclear whether they were informed about the deception. The issue is just the latest to a lingering controversy regarding whether or not the names of those who test positive should be made public. Recently, Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe and Health Minister Wilhelmina Jallah were are loggerheads on the issue. So, I will call all the people names so that I can take the responsibility to help our contact tracers.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 00:11 UTC
Liberia: SOS Donates Over US$14k Emergency Items to Help Less Fortunate Children, Youths Fight COVID-19
In an effort to address some of these needs, SOS Children Village, in partnership with government, over the weekend donated several emergency assorted items worth over US$14,000 to less fortunate family in Montserrado. “We have come to buttress government’s efforts in strengthening these families to prevent themselves and have something to eat,” Yeanay said. According to Mr. Yeanay, the program is intended to strengthen these family heads to better cater to their children. At the same time, the Fund Development Communication Manager Miatta Jallah said the donation is SOS’ own way of showing concern to those under the Family Strengthening Program during the Coronavirus crisis in Liberia. According to them, the move to provide them the items during such a crisis, especially in a State of Emergency was timely.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 14, 2020 00:00 UTC
Liberia: Price Tag for Proposed ‘Free Electricity’ During COVID-19 Lockdown $US4M? Legislature Set to Debate Emergency Plan
FrontPageAfrica has learned that the initial amount estimated for the proposed free power was put at US$1.7 million. The nearly $US2.3 million discrepancy will likely raise a few eyebrows when the letter finally lands on the floor of the legislature Tuesday. A sticking issue regards what benefits are being pondered for those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder. His request is in fulfilment of a constitutional provision that requires members of the Legislature to remain in session throughout the period of the State of Emergency. Rep. Snowe warned against politicizing efforts made by the government and all Liberians to fight against the menace of COVID-19.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 13, 2020 23:18 UTC
Liberia’s Health Minister’s Private Clinic Competes With JFK
Prior to becoming minister, Dr. Jallah ran the Hope for Women located on the A.B. JFK vs. Hope: Competing PrioritiesFollowing her appointment, Dr. Jallah misled the President into violating the Act creating the JFK medical Center which clearly states that the Board of Directors of the Center shall appoint the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Jallah traveled on December 8, leaving Dr. Lorraine Cooper in charge. But Dr. Jallah and the hospital condemned the autopsy report, terming it as incomplete, uncertain, questionable and inconclusive failure to state the dosage of chemical administered. The LMDC had their investigation at the time and suspended Dr Jallah ‘s license.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 13, 2020 21:23 UTC