Social Stigma + COVID-19: A Deadly Combo
FrontPageAfrica, one of Liberia’s leading dailies, reported on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, that a COVID_19 positive has gone into hiding due to fear of social stigma. This jaw-dropping, unacceptable development is an urgent call-to-action for massive sensitization and public education directed at flattening the coronavirus curve. The point is, coronavirus plus social stigma is a risky combo, and it would be a deadly mistake should government ignore these signs. This is the only way to strengthen public awareness, as well as reduce societal-induced stigma associated with the virus. It will also help to dispel social stigma associated with the virus.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 09, 2020 23:15 UTC
Liberia: Newspaper Publishers Association Announces Suspension of Print Editions Over COVID
Monrovia – The Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) has announced that it will suspend the publications of all its membership prints version (hard copies) due to the State of Emergency imposed by the President in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. PAL says, its members will continue with their various online publications in order to keep its many readers, clients and advertisers inform of the ongoing development against the COVID 19 fight. This move have become necessary due to the fact that the entire country would be locked down, restricting the movement of people, something that will also hinder our vendors from selling the papers. PAL says, while it realizes the important role the media plays in disseminating information regarding this killer disease, it is further constrained by the government’s inability to honor its debt to the media-something that has also hinder the media to function properly in these difficult times. PAL says members will resume their print copies as soon as the conditions become favorable or when the government deems it necessary to lift the state of emergency.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 09, 2020 23:03 UTC
Rep. Koffa Donates 19k 45KVA Generator to Grand Kru County Referral Hospital to Boost Electricity
GRAND KRU COUNTY – Grand Kru County District #2 Representative, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has donated a 45kva generator to the only referral hospital in Grand Kru County — the Rally Town Hospital — to boost electricity in the fight against COVID 19. In a statement from the Office of Grand Kru County District #2 Representative, dated April 8, the donation comes on the heel of a persistent appeal from the County Health Officer (CHO), Dr Sianna Jackson. “We are grateful to boost electricity at our county’s only referral hospital and we are making arrangements for my team to transport the 45 Kva generator to Grand Kru County,” Rep. Koffa said. Rep. Koffa maintained it will be ideal to use the winners of the 2019/2020 to join the fight against COVID 19 through whatever means to educate our people on the deadly virus.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 09, 2020 21:00 UTC
Liberia: NaFAA Set to Open Fisheries Competent Laboratory
Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco pointed out that Liberia is a coastal state with the second longest coastline in the sub-region next to Nigeria. The Liberian fisheries Expert further mentioned that the competent Laboratory when completed will actually be first of its kind since the 1970s. She noted that the Icelandic government has also provided six months training for laboratory technicians to help operate the laboratory after the testing and trials period. The NaFAA Boss disclosed that quite recently, about six of the staffers returned from Iceland equipped with both theoretical and technical skills to apply in the day to day operations of the Fisheries Competent Laboratory. Making more disclosure, the fisheries boss said the Fisheries Competent Laboratory will be jointly operated by NaFAA and the Liberia National Standard Laboratory, when passed and signed into law for the purpose of uniformity and coherence of national protocols and set Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which will be laid out by an MoU to be signed by heads of both institutions.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 09, 2020 15:33 UTC
Liberia: Weah Leaves Liberians’ Concerns Unanswered While Declaring State of Emergency to ‘Fight’ COVID-19
Then the President opted for a more robust measure, announcing a State of Emergency (SoE) to begin on Friday, 10 April. “Under this State of Emergency, all 15 counties in the Republic of Liberia are hereby quarantined from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2020, until further notice. Movements between counties are strictly prohibited,” President Weah said. If the lawmakers reject the State of Emergency, it will automatically be squashed, as provided by Article 88 of the Constitution. President Weah, who told Liberians that he had “personally presided over many strategy and operational meetings”, has to be more meticulous in leading the response effort in the coming weeks.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 09, 2020 07:39 UTC
Alexander Cummings Urges Pres. Weah to Include Political Stakeholders on National COVID-19 Taskforce
These actions have shown your willingness and readiness for the fight against COVID19 and we acknowledge them. However, our attention is drawn to the mandates of the ECOC’s Coordinator and Compliance Manager which reference a National COVID19 Multi-Sectorial Response Plan. Mr. President, the exclusion of political stakeholders from this very crucial national effort is concerning as any national plan that is not inclusive but intended to address a national crisis, will not be effective. As such, I urge you to expand the ECOC to include opposition political parties that also represent the vast majority of our people whose lives and health are at stake. Seek divergent views or input from the opposition, civil society and religious community on the National COVID19 Multi-Sectorial Response Plan, as mentioned hereinabove.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 09, 2020 07:32 UTC
Liberia: Commerce Ministry Crave Citizens’ Support to Crackdown on Unscrupulous Businesses
MONROVIA – The Consumer Education and Protection Unit at the Commerce Ministry is calling on the public to join the fight against unscrupulous practices in the Liberian business sector. The Consumer Education and Protection Unit said tackling negative practices in the business sector, including arbitrary hike in prices, among others, may not easily be realized in the absence of collaboration from the public. The Commerce Ministry reiterates its commitment to ensuring maximum protection of consumer rights across the country. We wish to commend those who have been working along with the Inspectorate in exposing these unwarranted acts in the business environment. Meanwhile, the following hotlines /numbers can be used for those who want to get in touch with the Ministry to register their concerns: Lone Star—9911/Orange-6624/0886559224/0776516171
Source:Front Page Africa
April 09, 2020 07:30 UTC
COVID-19 Drives Sub-Saharan Africa Toward First Recession in 25 Years
“The COVID-19 pandemic is testing the limits of societies and economies across the world, and African countries are likely to be hit particularly hard,” said Hafez Ghanem, World Bank Vice President for Africa. “The COVID-19 pandemic is testing the limits of societies and economies across the world, and African countries are likely to be hit particularly hard,” said Hafez Ghanem, World Bank Vice President for Africa. Several African countries have reacted quickly and decisively to curb the potential influx and spread of the coronavirus, very much in line with international guidelines. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic circumstances within countries and regions are fluid and change on a day-by-day basis. It is deploying up to $160 billion in financial support over the next 15 months to help countries protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 09, 2020 03:45 UTC
Liberia: Ballout Community Residents “Are Worried” as No Health Workers Have Gone There to Do Contact Tracing
Ballout lives just few houses from him in the same community, which is where the old MSF Hospital is located. No health worker has come to my house, which is very close to where he lives,” our source said. Before him in the first fence is group of Lebanese merchants and after him towards the Old CID Road in another fence are Fulani’s. Opposite him are residents of some Lebanese, H. Boimah Fahnbulleh’s Liberian People’s Party’s Headquarters and the Fahnbulleh’s House and another group of Lebanese residents. Responding, Mr. Chestor Smith, Communications Officer of the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL), said he had “personally” taken five contact tracers to the community to do tracing on Tuesday, April 7.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 08, 2020 18:56 UTC
AFELL Joins COVID-19 Fight Conscientizes clients, Others to Adhere to Health Protocols
MONROVIA – The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has joined the fight to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country. “However, the good news is that we can prevent ourselves from being infected and stop the coronavirus disease from spreading” a release quotes Atty. AFELL, therefore, calls on all to cooperate with government by adhering to health protocols to avoid the spread of the virus. “Report every suspected case and cooperate with the contact tracers from the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia. Together we can all fight this disease,” AFELL added.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 08, 2020 17:37 UTC
Liberia: A.M.E. University-Muslim Students Association Strategizes to Kick Covid-19 Out of Liberia
AMEU- Muslim Students Association president Vamuyan FofanaMonrovia – The leadership of the African Methodist Episcopal University Muslim Students Association (AMEU-MSA) has organized an operation strategy known as “Operation Kick Coronavirus out of Liberia” in their fight against the dangerous virus. When you are not satisfying with your health status call your doctor or call the health team hot line 4455. The Muslim Students of AME University designed the above operation as a contribution toward the fight against the Coronavirus in our country and we are going to use those methods provided by the Health Ministry and National health institute of Liberia. Operation Kick COVID-19 out of Liberia. They concluded by calling on their fellow Liberians to join hands together with the Muslim Students Association of AME University in their operation to kicks corona virus out of Liberia and the world at large.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 08, 2020 15:22 UTC
Liberia: President Weah Announces 3 Weeks State of Emergency
The dynamics of our management of the disease have been significantly changed there will be required additional strong measures to delay the spreading of this highly infectious virus and keep our public safety,” President Weah said in a nationwide address. Under the State of Emergency all 15 counties are quarantined from 11;59pm, Friday, April 10 until further notice. Movement between counties is strictly prohibited; no person shall be permitted to enter or leave the borders of any county to another county except for Montserradi County and Margibi County which are quarantined as a single unit. Also, all residents within the borders of Montserrado County, Margibi County, Nimba County, and Grand Kru are to stay at home throughout the time of the quarantine. Liberia as of April 8 has 25 confirmed cases, according to the National Public Health Institute.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 08, 2020 13:51 UTC
Seeking Liberians’ Prayers: Ex-Envoy to Pakistan, Ballout Confirms Positive Covid-19 Test
I have been confirmed and I am in the 14 Military hospital right now. I am glad I did because I didn’t want to carry it to the county.”Mr. John Ballout, Former Ambassador to Qatar, Former Senator, Maryland County. Report by Jaheim T Tumu- [email protected]Monrovia- The former Liberian diplomat to Qatar, Ambassador John Ballout, has disclosed to FrontPageAfrica that he is presently at the 14 Military Hospital in quarantine after he tested positive with the deadly Covid-19. I have been confirmed and I am in the 14 Military Hospital right now. I am glad I did because I didn’t want to carry it to the county,” Mr. Ballout explained.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 08, 2020 13:09 UTC
COVID19: Impact on the Banking Sector and Liberia
Liberia recorded its first COVID19 case on March 16 and our government was quick to react. Increase and push for more people to switch to mobile banking services such as SMS Banking, Online Banking, Banking Apps, ATMs and Internet Banking. Integrate the GSM Operators’ platforms to provide for the easy transfer of money from one mobile money account to the other across the networks. Therefore, regulatory bodies and banks need to push more and more people to register for and use mobile money. Like many things about life as we have come to know it, COVID-19 may end up changing the way we will do banking forever.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 08, 2020 09:01 UTC
Liberia: Fissebu Community to be Issued Statutory Deed Soon
The two meetings, held on Saturday, March 6, 2020, brought together several community members and a cross section of local authorities. In his remarks, Chairman Monabah thanked the community for the splendid work in completing the steps/processes and assured community members that once the technical verifications are made by the LLA, the Authority will ensure that the community is issued a Statutory Deed sooner than later. Before departure from Fissebu, the Chairman of the Authority requested the implementing partners to further assist the Community by facilitating the probating and registration of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Fissebu Community and its neighbors as required by the Law. Immediately after the meeting in Fissebu, the delegation proceeded to Vavalah Clan, Salayea District and held a brief meeting with selected members of the community. She concluded by calling on the Land Authority to swiftly intervene in resolving the boundary issue in order for Vavalah to move ahead in completing the steps, thus paving the way to attaining the statutory deed for their community land.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 08, 2020 09:00 UTC