Liberia: Public Health Institute, UNFPA Train Convid-19 ‘Contact Tracers’, Others
This is one time that every one of us needs to be extremely careful.”“As contact tracers, we expect you to follow up on those contacts. Because if they stay in the community, their households are at risk, the entire community is at risk and the whole country is at risk,” Nagbe told the contact tracers. “The 2014 Ebola virus disease was centered around Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea; so we were able to get assistance from the outside world especially America and other areas. He urged the contact tracers to do all to prevent the disease. He re-emphasized that the contact tracers’ job would be to trace those identified contacts and refer them.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 28, 2020 16:07 UTC
Liberia: Council of Churches Announces Suspension of Sunday Service in Wake of Covid-19 Pandemic
Senator Johnson’s action came hours after the Ministry of Health declared a national health emergency in the country. We are looking forward to a strong partnership with the Government of Liberia in ensuring public safety including avoiding large gatherings at the church and in all sectors until this pandemic is defeated in Liberia. A 25-member Coronavirus Ecumenical Emergency Response (CEER) has been established by the Churches to work along with all national stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, WHO, etc. to help mobilize the churches and religious community to expel this virus from our country2. An Admonition to all National StakeholdersThe LCC also wishes to admonish all Liberians including the Government of Liberia, Ministry of Health, Liberia National Police, amongst others: “Let’s fight this virus!
Source:Front Page Africa
March 28, 2020 14:37 UTC
Is Senate Confirmation Hearing of a natural-born Nigerian in Violation of Dual Citizenship Proposition (1, Article 28)?
A. Ndubusi Nwabudike’s nomination to head the National Elections Commission is drawing controversy in Liberia. Is the Senate in holding a nomination hearing saying to Liberians, that the Republic places greater value on natural-born foreigners than its own natural-born citizens? On September 24, 2019, The Honorable Body, the Liberian Senate forwarded to the Honorable House of Representatives the voted and approved Proposed Senate Proposition 1 on Dual Citizenship (Article 28) which, while granting dual citizenship to natural-born Liberian citizens “who hold citizenship from another country”, denies natural-born Liberian citizens from holding positions as heads of “autonomous commissions” (Frontpage Africa, 2019). While Liberians in the Diaspora remain concern over the discrimination, they however celebrated the President and the Legislature in this remarkable achievement. Is the Senate in holding a nomination hearing saying to Liberians, that the Republic places greater value on natural-born foreigners than its own natural-born citizens?
Source:Front Page Africa
March 28, 2020 10:41 UTC
Liberia: Former Press Union Leaders Call On Gov’t to Reconstitute Media Probe Committee
Boston, MA, USA – Two former leaders of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) have condemned the growing wave of violence against journalists in Liberia and have called on President George M. Weah to reconstitute the five-member media investigation committee headed by Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh, former Minister of Information. Williams called for Dr. Bropleh to be replaced as head of the investigation committee because he lacks the credibility and public confidence to preside over a transparent investigation. “In view of the foregoing, it is our considered opinion that President Weah must reconstitute the committee by appointing a credible and respectable individual to head the media investigation committee. In view of the foregoing, it is our considered opinion that President Weah must reconstitute the committee by appointing a credible and respectable individual to head the media investigation committee. In this regard, we will intensify our efforts in drawing international attention to the rampant corruption and growing abuse of human rights in Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 27, 2020 22:18 UTC
Aid Efforts in Crisis Times
Therefore, the process of condemning corruption, speaking up against the ills of society, and taking actions to hold public officials accountable is a worthy sacrifice geared towards advancing democratic values and human rights. This sacrifice is also necessary because evidence suggests that some of the most pervasive cases of human rights abuse happen in places where silence and impunity exist. And when this pandemic is over, it is important that human rights and the values of democracy serve as the legal guidelines underpinning all humanitarian efforts, taking into consideration the cases of the most-needy people. 3) Prioritize preparedness projects in order to mitigate or minimize future fatality by investing in education, healthcare, and better infrastructures. Tee Wonokay / Executive Director, Foundation for Human Rights Defense / [email protected]
Source:Front Page Africa
March 27, 2020 22:07 UTC
Liberia: 12 Senators Walk Out of Confirmation Hearing for Elections Commission Nominees’
PROTESTING SENATORS: The protesting senators include Senator Prince Johnson(NUDP, Nimba) Sherman, Darius Dillon(Liberty Party, Montserrado County)and Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence(Liberty Party, Grand Bassa County). Despite the Senators walkout, the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agencies and Commissions went ahead with the hearing. The protesting senators who included Senator Prince Johnson(NUDP, Nimba) Sherman, Darius Dillon(Liberty Party, Montserrado County)and Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence(Liberty Party, Grand Bassa County). Speaking on behalf of the protesting Senators, Senator Sherman said due to the nature and importance of the confirmation hearing, the committee invited all Senators to witness the proceedings. Ndubusi Nwabudike, a Nigerian-born naturalized Liberian nominated to head the elections commission is expected to take the hotseat Monday.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 27, 2020 21:56 UTC
Liberia: ‘Withdraw Nominations to Elections Commission’; Ex Envoy to UN Tells Weah
Jerome Korkoya, who was at various times linked to the Unity Party, National Patriotic Party, and the Liberty Party. Jerome Korkoya, who was at various times linked to the Unity Party, National Patriotic Party, and the Liberty Party. The current nominations offset the precedence political parties, civil society organizations, and many Liberians have come to accept as necessary and contributory to the health of our emerging democracy. This precedence of consultations with the political parties and civil society organizations enlists the important inclusion of other parties’ nominees into the membership of the Commission. Even when our elections were conducted under less than full constitutional authority, the elections commission was headed by a natural-born Liberian.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 27, 2020 20:32 UTC
UBA PLC Provides US$150k to Support Coronavirus Fight in Liberia
MONROVIA – United Bank for Africa(UBA) has donated USD One Hundred and Fifty Thousand to the Government of Liberia through the UBA Foundation to support the Government’s effort to fight the global pandemic, Coronavirus. The donation will provide significant and much needed support to the Government and people of Liberia to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The donation is expected to support Governments provide relief materials, critical care facilities, awareness and other needed items to their citizenry in this critical period. United Bank for Africa has a strong record of supporting it’s communities, through challenging times. United Bank for Africa (UBA) is a Pan African Bank operating in 20 African countries and globally in the United Kingdom, the United States and France
Source:Front Page Africa
March 27, 2020 17:26 UTC
Liberia: Mixed Reactions in Bong County over Pres. Weah’s Rejection of the Bill to Establish Tumutu Agriculture and Technical College
The bill was initiated and supported by Bong County lawmakers Moima Briggs-Mensah of District 6 and Senator Dr. Henrique Flomo Tokpa. Since the bill was vetoed, mixed reactions have continued to trail President Weah’s decision in Bong County. Our Bong County reporter seeks the views of a cross-section of citizens of the county on the development. Will the college be different from the Bong County Technical College we already have? Firstly, we all know that the Bong County Technical College has been struggling financially since its inception.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 27, 2020 14:46 UTC
Liberian Government Rescues Missing Fishermen
Four Survivors in the middle with Coast Guard Officers and NaFAA’s DDGTS Williams BoehMonrovia – The Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority(NaFAA) in collaboration with the Liberia National Coast Guard has rescued a crew of fishermen from the Popo Beach Fishing Community who went missing on Friday, March 20, 2020 while fishing. Initially, the four fishermen were rescued by a bulk carrier vessel named Montrose some 54 nautical mile off the Grand Bassa County and were received by the Liberian National Coast Guard some 25 nautical miles. The CMA is a local fisheries governance structure put in place by NAFAA to effectively manage the coastal resources of Liberia. It can be recalled from 2010 to 2017 more than 100 fishermen lost their lives. Last year during the rainy season about 9 fishermen lost their lives while fishing due to their failure to put in place safety measures despite awareness from NaFAA.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 27, 2020 11:37 UTC
Liberia Covid-19 Scare: Church in The Old Road Community Holds Crusade in Disregard to Health Regulations
MONROVIA – In complete defiance to recently announced health regulations, the Saint Assembly Church located in the Old Road community on Thursday evening gathered on a field for a crusade, noting that it is time to pray for the nation. The Ministry of Health on Sunday declared a national health emergency and announced several health regulations including a ban on religious gatherings and worship services in an effort to curtail the spread of Covid-19 of which Liberia already has three confirmed cases. But the Saint Assembly Church believes it would prayers to rid the infectious disease out of Liberia. Kortu Brown, told FrontPgeAfrica on Friday morning that Saint Assembly ignored a team from the LCC that was dispatched to the field to assist the police to disperse them. Though Liberia is a Christian dominant nation, the action of Saint Assembly received several condemnations on social during the Facebook live broadcast of their crusade and prayer session.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 27, 2020 10:52 UTC
Liberia: Civil Society ‘Consortium’ Commends Pres. Weah’s for Appointment to 5 NEC Posts
L-r- Barsee Leo Kpangbai, Cllr. Davidetta Browne Lansanah and Floyd Oxley SayorMonrovia – The Consortium of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia has commended President George Manneh Weah, for appointing to the Board of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Cllr. Ernestine Morgan-AWAR (Esq), Mr. Barsee Leo Kpangbai, and Madam Josephine Kou Gaye. They stated that they are convinced that those distinguished personalities will deliver the required service to the public and conduct themselves in the ambit of the law governing that body. Interestingly, the Consortium didn’t include the name of the Chairperson-designate, Nigerian-born naturalized Liberian, Cllr.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 26, 2020 23:48 UTC
Liberia: EITI Board Lifts Suspension on LEITI
Monrovia – The Multi-stakeholder Group of Liberia EITI is pleased to announce the lifting of the temporary suspension on Liberia by the EITI Board effective March 6, 2020. The EITI Board suspended Liberia in September 2018 due to its failure to publish EITI Reports for 2016/17 &2017/18, 2019 Annual Work Plan, and 2017/18 Annual Progress Report. The Board reiterated its decision in mid-2019 due to delays in publication of the 2017/18 EITI Report, 2017/18 Annual Progress Report, and 2019 Annual Work Plan. On 31 December, the MSG approved and launched the 2016/17 and 2017/18 EITI reports for Liberia, 2019/2020 Annual Work Plan, and the 2017/2018 Annual Activity in time to meet EITI reporting deadlines to avoid delisting. In its full decision statement, the EITI Board alluded to the significant strives and gains made by the Liberian Government and stakeholders noting that “within a short timeframe, the Government of Liberia has demonstrated its full commitment to the EITI process, which has led to the restoration of the credibility of Liberia EITI.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 25, 2020 00:00 UTC
Liberia: Senate Confirms Ebola ‘Hero’ to Ministry of Health Post
President George Manneh Weah appointed Dr. Logan, who is considered an Ebola hero, few weeks ago to the post pending confirmation from the Senate. Dr. Logan was one of those Liberian medical doctors, who were on the frontline combating the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) in 2014. The Assistant Health Minister is famous for using anti-HIV/AIDS medication to successfully treat patients suffering or diagnosed with the deadly Ebola Virus. He previously served as County Health Officer for Bong and Bomi Counties as well. Dr. Logan also has nearly eight years of work experience in clinical practice of medicine and health system management and served in the following positions at the Ministry of Health: Medical Director (Greenville, Sinoe County), Medical Director & County Health Officer (Bomi County) and County Health Officer (Bong County).
Source:Front Page Africa
March 24, 2020 19:30 UTC
“Ensuring Macroeconomic Stability and Sustained Growth: A Critical Pathway to National Reconciliation and Social Inclusion in Liberia”
Understanding Macroeconomic Stability, Sustained Growth and Other ConceptsAs I begin to expand on the assigned topic, I would be remiss if I did not give a fair appreciation of the concepts of “macroeconomic stability” and ‘sustained growth”. Macroeconomic stability and sustained growth are inextricably linked – sustained growth reinforces macroeconomic stability. Thus, macroeconomic stability and sustained growth have a positive and mutually reinforcing relationship with national reconciliation and social cohesion. Development or growth that is financed through excessive debt secured at usurious rates often undermines macroeconomic stability and sustained growth. Macroeconomic stability and sustained growth facilitate or conduce national reconciliation and social cohesion; and keeping all other factors constant, national reconciliation and social cohesion have a positive effect on macroeconomic stability and sustained growth.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 24, 2020 19:07 UTC