Liberia: Health Ministry Confirms First Case of Coronavirus
The Executive Director, Dr. Nathaniel Blamah, returned from Switzerland and requested to be tested, he tested positive and has since been in quarantineMONROVIA – The Liberian health authorities have informed President George M. Weah that the country has recorded its first case of the Coronavirus disease, otherwise known as COVID -19. The patient, is Nathaniel Blama, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, who returned home Friday, March 13, 2020 following a visit to Switzerland. In view the new development, the Liberian leader will be addressing the nation at 10 a.m today (March 16) to announce important new measures that the government will be putting in place to curtail further transmission. The government urges all to remain calm as health officials continue to trace all those the infected person came in contact with, as well as quarantine them for the incubation period of the virus.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 16, 2020 09:00 UTC
Ghana Institutes Stringent Travel Restrictions
MONROVIA – The Republic of Ghana has instituted a stringent travel restriction in its bid to control the Coronavirus in the country. Ghana has confirmed at least six cases. Airlines have been instructed not to allow such persons embark. Border posts have also been instructed to allow such persons into the Ghanaian jurisdiction. Ghana has started deploying enforcement protocols in collaboration with state security and health authorities.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 16, 2020 08:26 UTC
Liberia Records First Case of Coronavirus; Health Authorities Hold Emergency Meeting
MONROVIA – FrontPageAfrica has gathered from impeccable sources that there is at least a case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. Details surrounding this case remain scanty, however, this paper gathered that a government official returning from overseas voluntarily asked to be tested upon entry into Liberia. He tested positive and has since been quarantined. FPA further the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) are in an emergency meeting over this case. More details to follow soon.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 16, 2020 08:26 UTC
Major Trade Conference in Liberia Postponed Due to Coronavirus
The conference has been rescheduled to June 2-4, 2020 in MonroviaMONROVIA – The UK-Liberia Trade Conference scheduled to take place in Monrovia from April 1-4, 2020 has been delayed due to the global Coronavirus outbreak. The conference was organized by the British Embassy in Monrovia and the Liberian Embassy in the United Kingdom along with Developing Markets Associates and other partners. This was triggered by the ongoing global health dilemma instigated by the coronal virus or COVID-19 outbreak,” the Liberian Embassy in the UK stated in a press release. The trade and investment event targets investors and showcase opportunities in Liberia to survey the country’s economy and identify ownership of enterprises to invest in the growing market economy. This trade mission would also be accessing investment opportunities for British companies and individuals in the fisheries, forestry, tourism and oil exploration sectors in Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 16, 2020 07:41 UTC
Liberia: Inspired by President Sirleaf, Cornelia Kruah-Togba Lands AMUJAE’s fellowship
Then 15, Cornelia would have to wait for the next election cycle—six years later— to cast her first ballot. “In 2011, I co-founded one of the biggest auxiliaries of the Unity Party called the University Students for the Re-election of Madam Sirleaf. In both instances, my drive was simply because Madam Sirleaf inspired me to believe I could do anything I wanted to do and be anything! Its mission, according to the center, is to inspire and prepare women to unapologetically take up roles and excel in the highest echelons of public leadership, and to bring other women along. “Madam Sirleaf, despite all the political hurdles, became the first woman African President.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 15, 2020 18:22 UTC
Liberia: VP Howard-Taylor bags third Honoris Causa; Commissions Massive Hostel for Female Students in Calabar, Nigeria
Prof Akpagu intimated that Madam Vice President remains the JEWEL of Africa whose leadership credential is replete with massive successesCalabar-Nigeria — The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor has received her third Honoris Causa (Honorary Degree) from the University of Calabar, the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At the 33rd Convocation of the University, the Dean and Faculty of the University unanimously resolved to confer Doctor of Gender Development (Honoris Causa) on Liberia’s first female Vice President. Prof Akpagu intimated that Madam Vice President remains the JEWEL of Africa whose leadership credential is replete with massive successes. Madam Vice President commended the people of Calabar for the rapid transformation the city has experienced in terms of governance and infrastructural development.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 15, 2020 13:07 UTC
United Nations Human Rights Supports Ministry of Justice In resuscitating Liberia’s National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up
The process also forms part of OHCHR’s mandate under its International Mechanism thematic pillar to ensure that the state is compliant with International Human Rights Reporting Obligations. Speaking at the start of the training on Thursday March 12, a Human Rights Officer of UN Human Rights, Francis IGIRIOGU stated that the initiative will create a sense of ownership on the part of these Liberians that participate in the process. Director Togbah urged the participants to be committed as their work will enable Liberia’s regional and international human rights reporting obligations are promptly carried out. National Mechanism on Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF) – is a government structure/platform that tracks its implementation of regional and international human rights mechanism obligation. This body collects data and monitors government implementation of recommendations from different human rights mechanisms to ensure timely reporting.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 13, 2020 22:41 UTC
Liberia: Let Have A National Memorial Day For All Our Dead Loved Ones Having Graves Or Not
Liberia: Let Have A National Memorial Day For All Our Dead Loved Ones Having Graves Or NotEACH AND EVERY YEAR, thousands of Liberians observe the second Wednesday in March as Decoration Day, a memorial or tribute to the many who have lost their lives over the years. These Liberians alive, travel across the country to get to the graves of their loved ones in time to pay their homage in the form of decorating their deceased loved ones’ graves. WE HAVE ALL seen the scenes; heard the wailings; even the fun and fanfares when Decoration Day comes around as it did on Wednesday, March 11. However, others couldn’t go as there are no graves for their loved ones, who have passed. WE THINK THAT IT is prudent that we rather have a NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY to collectively remember all of our compatriots, who have died and those of us to pass to the Great Beyond.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 13, 2020 22:30 UTC
Liberia: Women Need Financial Backing to Stay In Politics, Says VP Taylor
VP Taylor urged women who are desirous of venturing into politics to continue to engage the relevant authorities in making sure that the voices of women in politics are heard. “We need to have our voices loud; we need to be clear about what our platforms are and we need to be able to pay a visit to the women,” VP Taylor advised. She also called on all women in Liberia to put aside their differences with each other and elect women into the office so that there can be an appreciable representation of women in public offices. According to her, because Liberia is a male-dominated society, most women are afraid to invest in a process that they [women] think will not work out. Meanwhile, VP Taylor is calling on everyone including women, civil society and the donor community to be supportive of the National Elections Commissions as it relates to advocacy and finance.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 13, 2020 22:30 UTC
Liberia: BFF, Women Traders Honor ECOWAS, EU & GoL for Achievements on Regional Integration
Flashback: ECOWAS Ambassador Babatunde Ajisomo and BFF President Augustine Arkoi (middle) pose with inter-state women traders. Monrovia – Better Future Foundation (BFF), in collaboration with the inter-state women group called Women Beyond Borders (WBB), is set for an honoring program for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), European Union (EU), and the Government of Liberia (GOL), for their collaboration and achievements in the implementation of the regional integration process within ECOWAS and its socio-economic and political impacts on inter-state women traders in Liberia. The project was funded by the European Union under the 9th European Development Fund for African, Caribbean & Pacific (ACP) countries through the ECOWAS Commission as the Contracting Authority. BFF’s project “Awareness Among Inter-state Women Traders and Law Enforcement State Agents in Liberia” addressed theme: Achieving Regional Customs Union and Common Market within ECOWAS and a total of 597 inter-state women traders and 272 state security agents successfully participated in the project in 11 of Liberia’s 15 counties. 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
March 13, 2020 22:07 UTC
Liberia: Educational Group to Pilot “Transformative Education” in five Schools in Montserrado County
Officials of KEEP, representative of Oxfam along with MOE officials posed with the banner after the launch of the transformative education pilot projectMonrovia – With support from Oxfam, the Kids Educational Engagement Project (KEEP) has launched the Transformative Education, beginning with five schools in Montserrado County. Unlike traditional education, the launch of transformative education will improve students’ skills in understanding contemporary society, or the kinds of capacities children need to develop. The Bahr Town Public School, Millsbury Public School, Arthington Public School, June L. Moore Public School and Goba Town Public School are the five schools that will be piloting the transformative education initiative. “At this time, we are glad to tell you that the Ministry of Education has approved KEEP’s education agreement project to pilot transformative education in the designated schools,” Samuels disclosed. This, Gender Justice Program Manager of Oxfam in Liberia says is the overall goal of the Oxfam future education work.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 13, 2020 22:07 UTC
SMART Liberia captures 2020 Learning Awards supported by USAID LAVI
MONROVIA – SMART Liberia, an organization that is working to empower Liberian youth through education, entrepreneurship and technology, won the 2020 Liberian Learning Awards sponsored by iCampus with support from USAID Liberia Accountability Voice Initiative (LAVI). SMART Liberia was among eight Liberian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that applied for the Learning Awards, an effort designed to promote learning by encouraging CSOs to reflect on their work, evaluate their performance, collaborate and share lessons learned through networking. The second annual Learning Awards, which was held Tuesday, March 10, 2020, attracted 126 people from civil society, businesses, the media and students, to iCampus on Carey Street Snapper Hill. The Learning Awards was created based on a mapping exercise conducted to identify the gaps in learning among civil society organizations. Dr. Tanya Garnett, Chief of Party of USAID Liberia Strategic Analysis (LSA), who served as one of the judges, congratulated all the organizations for participating in the awards.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 13, 2020 16:07 UTC
Liberia: Workers Stage 21-Day Protest in Demand of New Company to Meet Sime Darby’s Contractual Agreement
Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County – Workers at the Mano Palm Oil Plantation, formerly Sime Darby Plantation (SDPL) have begun a 21-day protest, requesting the company and the Government to live by the contractual agreement they signed with SDPL. The workers’ action comes less than three months following the acquisition of the Sime Darby Plantation Liberia (SDPL) from its parent company based in Malaysia. The deal marked the end of Sime Darby Plantation’s venture that was incurring loss since its inception and worsened by a 2017-2018 slump in palm oil prices. Sime Darby Plantation had signed a 63-year concession agreement with the Liberian government in 2009 to develop 220,000 hectares in northwest Liberia into oil palm and rubber plantations. Meanwhile, it appears that some of the problems that grappled Sime Darby are now surfacing at the new company, specifically the menace of workers’ strike.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 13, 2020 06:22 UTC
Rep. Koffa Set to Deliver 2nd Legislative Annual Report in Palurken
MONROVIA – Rep J. Fonati Koffa will on Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:00m in Palurken, Forpoh District, Grand Kru County District #2 deliver his Second Legislative Annual Message to constituents (voters and non-voters, who are residing in Grand Kru County District #2). Upon the completion of the installation in Parluken, the inaccessible communication services in other part of Grand Kru County will be lifted to make communication easy. Koffa will be in the Grand Kru County for 17 days, March 1 – 31. Koffa will begin the visit with a constituency meeting on Monday, March 16 in Sasstown with the youth, women and elders. Another constituency meeting will be held in Dweken on Saturday, March 28, follow by the Women Empowerment Project in Doeswen which will be christened on Sunday, March 29.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 13, 2020 06:22 UTC
Liberia: GAC Reports Unveil Several Financial Malfeasance at the National Elections Commission Covering Three Fiscal Years
The audit which spans a period of three fiscal years reveals several financial improprieties at the National Elections Commission under Cllr. Jerome Korkoya’s administrationMONROVIA – The General Auditing Commission (GAC) has completed and submitted to the National Legislature audit of the National Elections Commission (NEC) for the fiscal years 2014/ 2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. The listing presented the names and signatures of the temporary NEC workers as evidence of the payments were without contact numbers, identification cards, addresses etc. Therefore, the GAC was unable to confirm the names of temporary workers on said lists. The listings presented with the names and signature of the temporary NEC workers as evidence of the workshops being held were without contact numbers, identification cards, addresses etc.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 13, 2020 06:17 UTC