Media Law Reform Conference Opens In Monrovia
According to CEMESP Executive Director Malcolm Joseph, the media law reform is built to attract significant inputs that will lead to the formulation of a bill seeking to establish an Independent National Media Commission. Monrovia – All is set for the hosting of a national media reform conference in the banquet hall of Corina Hotel in Monrovia on Friday, January 7, 2020. This is an initiative of the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding in collaboration with the Press Union of Liberia with support from the British Embassy in Monrovia. According to CEMESP Executive Director Malcolm Joseph, the media law reform is built to attract significant inputs that will lead to the formulation of a bill seeking to establish an Independent National Media Commission. The media law reform conference marks the final activity under the British Government funded project implemented by CEMESP.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 07, 2020 03:56 UTC
Liberia: “Foya Community Library Is At The Verge Of Collapsing,” Says Library Management Committee Chair-Sends Out SOS Call
FOYA, Lofa County – The chairman of the Library Management Committee of Foya District in Lofa County, Saah Prince Tartapa has revealed that the only Community Library in the District is at the verge of collapse due to the lack of financial support and essential books. Tarpata further stated that all the Library has is Biology books, European Literature and dictionary. Taparta narrated that the government is not giving any subsidy to the Library as everything is being done by the Library Management Committee. He further revealed that the Library has not been opportune to get computers to enable students do research using the internet. The Foya Community Library was founded by the European as part of its Community Rehabilitation Component-3 of the Post Conflict Rehabilitation and Capacity Building Project, a medium grant for construction of Library in Foya City implemented by Vision In Action
Source:Front Page Africa
February 07, 2020 03:45 UTC
The Liberia National Police, Media And Opposition
We often ignore the monumental task of rebuilding an entire national security apparatus (Army, Police and Immigration) from scratch. Or take “Has become mixed with individuals” (a part of) – is not the same as “some unscrupulous individuals claiming to be Anti-Robbery Agents of the Liberia National Police” (imposters). The Media and Opposition DisappointmentClearly, the last demonstration of January 6, 2020, against the Weah government devastated the enthusiasm, hope and spirit of the media and the opposition. First, the Liberia political system is not yet concerned in knowing how political parties are financed or the obligation to audit their campaign financing and the rest. Obligingly, the opposition political woke up and in precipitation hatched up the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) between the UP, LP, ANC and ALP.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 07, 2020 03:33 UTC
Could Salary Harmonization Justify Judicial Corruption?
An inevitable consequence would be a side-stepping of legal services, resulting in a breakdown of law and order. In his powerpoint presentation, Tweah dramatically defended the harmonization exercise by saying that, “nothing can be done now, because the decision came from our international partners. Article 72 (a) provides: “The Justices of the Supreme Court and all other judges shall receive such salaries, allowances, and benefits as shall be established by law. Such salaries shall be subject to taxes as defined by law, provided that they shall not otherwise be diminished. Justice Kaba: “Unlike in the case of other public employees, benefit for judges are expressly provided for by the Constitution.
Source:Daily Observer
February 07, 2020 02:26 UTC
Did Solicitor General Cehpus Mislead LACC over Corkrum’s Case Dismissal?
Ndubuisi Nwabudike, dated February 3, 2020, Cephus justified that his decision to dismiss the case was recommended by former Solicitor General, Cllr. Cehpus’ action to drop the case was also communicated to Judge Nancy Sammy of Criminal Court ‘C,’ who later granted the request. The court’s record also clarified that there was no nolle prosequi (charges dropped) request entered in favor of Musa Bility. Betty Lamin Blamo to hire a US-based firm, Fox Rothschild, to which US$200,000 was paid to Fox Rothschild to have Madam Corkrum brought back to Liberia. “The request was granted by the PPCC and the ministers of Finance and Justice subsequently entered into the contract with Fox Rothschild on behalf of the government,” the former government claims.
Source:Daily Observer
February 07, 2020 02:26 UTC
Ellen Corkrum May Be Regretting For Coming To Liberia, As Travel Ban Underway For Her And 28 Others
Sayma Syrenius Cephus has disclosed a pending travel bans to be imposed on Ellen Corkrum and 28 others who were reportedly linked to economic sabotage, and other related crimes. Sayma Syrenius Cephus in a brief chat with journalists at the Temple of Justice that houses the Supreme Court and several other courts. (L-r) Melvin Johnson and Ellen Corkrum claimed that the Government of Liberia is morally decadent; a questionable judicial system; and that the charges are false and politically-motivated. However, the lawyers representing the Government filed a motion for Nolle Prosequoi at Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice, on December 3, 2019, requesting that all charges against Ms. Ellen Corkrum be dropped. In 2015, some efforts were made to secure Corkrum’s extradition to Liberia.
Source:GNN Liberia
February 06, 2020 21:00 UTC
FAO Vows To Promote Food Security In Liberia
The Assistant Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Liberia, Octavius Quarbo, has said the United Nations agency remains committed to promoting food security in the country. According to Mr. Quarbo, the FAO support to food and nutrition security impact, resilience, sustainability and transformation started in March 2016, and today is almost is in many developing countries in the world. “As food security and nutrition is a multi-dimensional issue, there are multiple effects and various institutions involved in addressing these issues in the world. Therefore, we need to work together to ensure the availability of sufficient food at all times, improve physical and economic access to food, ensure stable food supply and promote healthy and balanced diets and adequate food utilization, in particular, by women and children,” Quarbo emphasized. The aim of the joint program in Liberia is to facilitate a more enabling environment for food and nutrition security and sustainable agricultural program.
Source:GNN Liberia
February 06, 2020 19:50 UTC
FBI points to China as biggest US law-enforcement threat
FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on the current threat environment, November 5, 2019. In advance of Thursday’s event, Evanina estimated the theft of American trade secrets by China costs the United States “anywhere from $300 to $600 billion” a year. The FBI data shows an aggressively stepped-up campaign by U.S. authorities to root out Chinese espionage operations pursuing American secrets. They also caught and jailed former CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency officials on espionage charges linked to China. According to CSIS, of 137 publicly reported instances of Chinese-linked espionage against the United States since 2000, 73% took place in the last decade.
Source:GNN Liberia
February 06, 2020 19:22 UTC
LIBERIA: Residents of Monrovia Environs Scramble for Water as the City Infrastructure falters
Monrovia- In Liberia’s crowded capital, outdated water infrastructure struggles to meet growing demand as drought dries up wells across the city. The Liberia Water and Sewer is the government’s responsibility body to provide water for citizens. Famatta and others say the city council should ensure that water is at a less cost specifically as Liberia’s economic difficulties. The Government of Liberia through the National Legislature in August 2016 passed into Law the National Water Supply and Sanitation Commission Act. Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation is still struggling to deal with its eroded pipes since the end of the civil crisis.
Source:GNN Liberia
February 06, 2020 18:56 UTC
Liberia: 12 Health Facilities to access solar energy under UNDP’s Solar for Health Project
Solar power facilities are to be installed in Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Bong, Gbarpolu, Montserrado, Lofa and Bomi Counties. Monrovia – A Solar for Health Project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has targeted about 12 health centers in seven Counties, expected to benefit. Solar power facilities are to be installed in Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Bong, Gbarpolu, Montserrado, Lofa and Bomi Counties. He said the initiative will Increase access to health services by vulnerable populations, reduce carbon emissions as Liberia struggles with climate change issues and Improve the overall power supply of health facilities. Some of the facilities to benefit include: Sinje Clinic, Cape Mount County; Palala Health Center, Bong County; Konia Health Center, Telewoyan Hospital, Vahun Health Centre, and Kolahun health center all in Lofa County, as well as, St Timothy Hospital in Robertsport and the Buchanan Health Facility among others.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 06, 2020 16:18 UTC
Will There Soon Be A ‘New Dawn’ For Wuhan? – The Corona Virus Chronicles
The dormitory apartments hosting over a thousand international students at Wuhan University are all but literally empty now. Wuhan University SIE and some other universities are planning to provide academic guidance to students through the internet and other ways. My Department, the School of Journalism and Communication of Wuhan University-SIE, have already established online classrooms for its students. A general feeling of calmness, along with a sense of belonging, is taking hold among the few international students left on Wuhan University campus. When given the opportunity, I would not leave the safe confinement of the Wuhan University campus.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 06, 2020 16:18 UTC
ECOWAS, World Bank collaborate on securitisation of payments related to cross-border power trade in West Africa
Ministers in charge of Energy from Six Member States of ECOWAS (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali and Sierra Leone), Experts and the World Bank met in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to collaborate and adopt a policy on the Securitisation of Payments Related to Cross-Border Power Trade in West Africa. In order to cope with the low access of West African population to electricity, which remains one of the major challenges of the region, ECOWAS Member States have decided to focus on pooling efforts through the development of an integrated electricity market. Mr. Cheick Fantamady Kante, the Country Director of the World Bank in Côte d’Ivoire, congratulated ECOWAS Member States for the ability to generate excess electricity in the region; especially Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. He stressed that exchange of this surplus energy among Member States will be beneficial to the whole region. Highlighting that, “one of the major setbacks for socio-economic development and poverty reduction in the ECOWAS Region remains the insufficient supply and poor access to electricity by the populations despite the enormous potentials”.
Source:GNN Liberia
February 06, 2020 08:39 UTC
Climate Action Take Center Stage as Liberia Hosts First Informer Green Climate Board Meeting
Farmington, Margibi County – Board members of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have pledged their commitment to scale up GCF support to developing countries battling the crippling effects of climate. The GCF is the world’s largest fund dedicated to empowering countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. Liberia, for the first time, is hosting the three-day informal Board meeting currently taking place in Farmington, Margibi County. He added higher temperatures, more extreme weather events such as heavy rain, devastating storm and coastal erosion are a clear manifestation of the devastating impacts of climate change. He pledged the country’s commitment to meeting its obligation under the Paris Climate Change Agreement and said following the completion of the climate vulnerability and risk assessment on the impact of climate change, the country adopted the National Policy and Response Strategy on Climate Change which outlines the short and long-term measures in addressing climate change.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 06, 2020 08:26 UTC
Liberia’s Foreign Service Quagmire: Maybe It’s Time to Cut Back on Missions to Save Cost & Lives
EACH AND EVERY YEAR, The Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute, established since the 1950s, to offer broad based program of professional training for the young entrants to the Foreign Service of Liberia, has been offering training and research to scores of Liberians looking for entry into the foreign service. THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS for anyone yearning for a way out of Liberia and a window into the foreign service. SPEAK TO ANY Liberian working in the foreign service today and you will hear the stories of pain, anguish, disappointment and suffering. IRONICALLY, the Foreign Service Manual, which all students at the Foreign Service Institute are required to study, stipulates that the government is responsible for the health and welfare of diplomats. According to him, it was enshrined in the foreign service manual.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 06, 2020 08:26 UTC
Liberia: 11-Year-Old Raped Victim’s Father Attacked
I immediately called the Justice Minister, who had told me to call him whenever there was a threat against me. The man was arrested,” said the victim’s father, who name we are deliberately with holding. According to the father, his child is responding to treatment; and expressed his thanks to the Ministry of Justice and others who had been helping his child get treated. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice issued a statement on Monday, Feb. 3, condemning the act of violence against children. “This year 2020 The Ministry of Justice is saying zero tolerance to Rape, Domestic Violence, Child Violence, the compromising of cases, by family members of survivors and the perpetrators.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 06, 2020 08:15 UTC