Japanese Business Delegation Concludes ‘Successful’ Visit to Liberia
A high-power Japanese business delegation, which arrived in the country as a guest of the Liberia Business Association (LIBA), has concluded its successful visit to Liberia. Their primarily interest was to explore investment opportunities in the agriculture sector, especially on a short-term basis. LIBA president and the Rapid Food Initiative (RFPI), represented by Mr. Michael George, said the program attracted tremendous investment interests, including the visiting Japanese business delegation. They pointed out that the Liberia Food Production Program (LFPP) is a private sector-driven business undertaking, so the Association will work in collaboration with other Liberian institutions in the food production sector. While holding discussion with the students of University of Liberia (UL) Agriculture Department, the students called on the Japanese Government for help.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:26 UTC
SDI Comes in Defense of Locals in Land Crisis in Bomi
Sime Darby, which was taken over by Mano Manufacturing Company (MANCO) earlier this month, has over 300,000 hectares, largely in Bomi. SDI is partnering with the Civil Society Oil Palm Working Group and the Bomi Chapter of the Civil Society Council of Liberia. “SDI will work with civil society council of Liberia, Bomi Chapter to build a mass movement of community members acting to defend their land rights,” the project document said in a release on Tuesday, January 28. The mobilization and organization will be facilitated through a series of community training and awareness building meetings,” the SDI release added. Training would focus on free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and communities’ rights under the United Nations Principles on Business and Human Rights, it added.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:26 UTC
Genesys Communications to Organise Strategic Seminar
A one-day seminar that seeks to transform the minds of business owners about the role of communications in their operations will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at the auditorium of the University of Liberia, main campus. The seminar, organized by Genesys Communications in collaboration with the Business Start-Up Center-Monrovia, will be held under the theme, “Unifying Business Objectives with Strategic Communications.”Madam Lisa R. White, chief executive officer of Genesys Communications, said after conducting informal research with various businesses and with colleagues in the communication field, “I found that in this climate, communications have been relegated to a press release, banners, flyers, radio promotions or newspaper ads. With strategic communication, business becomes proactive and remains relevant in the market.”She revealed that some of her business colleagues who have been in business for years are still living hand-to-mouth. Madam White said: “So, this seminar seeks to challenge the notion that because of pro-poor, there is no money in the market.” White further explained that there is money in the market. When wallets don’t open its likely business may not be meeting the current needs of its clients.”Speaking on the importance of the initiative, she said, strategic communications is the tool that uncovers these unmet needs through very specific actions.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:26 UTC
A Call to Lobby US Congress for Liberia
That is why this call is being made especially for Liberians in the United States to seize the opportunity that is now to launch another serious campaign to lobby Congress on behalf of Liberia. Among the issues of focus, the campaign must draw attention to the rampant corruption and growing abuse of human rights in Liberia. Similar to the campaign in Liberian communities across the US that successfully led Congress to recently pass the immigration act granting permanent resident status to Liberians on Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED), Liberians must begin to strongly lobby the US Congress to ensure accountability and democratic governance in Liberia. President Weah must begin to exercise the level of maturity that is expected of him as the leader of a democratic country. Call or email the offices of your local Member of Congress and express your thoughts about developments in Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 02:15 UTC
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers: Liberia to Face Ghana in First Round
Liberia U-17 women’s national team will now face Ghana in the First Round of the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after edging out Niger on Sunday, January 26. First Round: Liberia vs. GhanaLiberia will now have a huge task as they are set to face Ghana in the first round of the qualification. Ghana was among four countries, including Nigeria Cameroon and Nigeria that were given a bye from the preliminary round. Ghana, one of the strongest in Africa, are the only African team to have qualified for every youth World Cup so far. The winner between Liberia and Ghana will play the winner between Guinea and Nigeria for a ticket to the Fifa U17 World Cup slated for November in India.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:15 UTC
Amid County Meet Controversy, MYS, MIA Declare Grand Kru Winners
Fines Nimba County US$1,500The Ministries of Youth and Sports and Internal Affairs, joint organizers of the National County Sports Meet (NCSM) have announced that “Grand Kru County is the winner of the 2019/2020 National County Sports Meet.”The decision comes two days after the grand final of the tournament’s football category ended in a deadlock due to a spot-kick controversy at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville. Grand Kru County were a goal ahead from a spot-kick scored by captain Rufus Kennedy in the first half, until the controversy erupted five minutes into the second, when referee Hassan Corneh pointed to the spot, awarding Grand Kru county the second spot-kick. The referee’s decision led to Nimba players walking off the pitch that was eventually flooded with spectators, thus bringing the game to an unsuccessful end. Suspension for two years from National County Sports Meet.”There have been several concerns following the ministry’s decision to suspend coach Fofana, who is also the head coach of second-division club BYC, from all football activities, when the rules of the county meet state only: “Suspension for two years from National County Sports Meet.” But, according to Min. The ministries further added that all awards of the tournament will be presented on Thursday, January 30, at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia as Grand Kru County will engage in a friendly encounter against players of the 1996/2002 national team of Liberia squad.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:15 UTC
APM Terminals Puts Restrictions on Ships Coming to Liberia
According to APM Terminals, while it understands the operational implications of the restrictions, its decision is geared towards preventing a disaster that could have higher negative commercial and operational impacts for all stakeholders. The directive further stated:APM Terminal will only be able to needy berth and unberth vessels with a maximum draft of 10 meters. Vessels above 10 meters draft will not be able to berth/ball. All vessels with a draft between 9.S and 10 meters will have to strictly berth/nil at high tide. FrontPageAfrica gathered that the current shortage of gasoline in the country is due to the inability for large tankers to berth at the port.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 01:07 UTC
Liberia: ‘State of Our Nation is Weak’ – Opposition Political Parties Debunk Weah’s Annual Message
Mr. Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress read the statement on behalf of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP). Unemployment, particularly youth unemployment continues to increase. The crime rate, to include incidence of rape, armed robbery, etc has increased,” Mr. Cummings said. Unemployment, particularly youth unemployment continues to increase. Mr. Cummings concluded the CPP’s statement by proffering some recommendations, which are going to be included in a detailed report shortly.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 28, 2020 13:37 UTC
Rage over Eco currency
This is so true of the eco common currency already being implemented by some countries with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), by mostly francophone countries, who have since adopted eco as their the currency through their union, West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Instead of depositing their reserves in France, WAEMU nations will place them with the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). In July, ECOWAS agreed that ‘eco’, the proposed single currency for the zone, will be launched in January 2020. But I believe that the hurried adoption of the eco by the francophone countries was not in good faith. Eco as a nomenclature was conceived as the future currency for ECOWAS.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 28, 2020 08:26 UTC
Liberia U-17 Qualify Over Niger 9-0 on Aggregate
Mamie Kallon scored twice and there was one each for Blessing Kieh, Melissa Gebah and Decontee Jackson. World Girls striker Kallon, who got the curtain raiser at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia on 12 January, opened the score again in the 39th minute. Gebah, another striker from World Girls, doubled Liberia’s advantage in the 58th minute before Kallon got her brace five minutes from time. It was an emphatic win from Liberia, who is making its debut in the competition. It was a like for like as World Girls striker Gebah replaced Zeta Kromah of Monrovia Football Academy.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 28, 2020 03:56 UTC
‘Cllr. Johnson’s Withdrawal Not Backed by Law’
Johnson’s letter further reads, “As a lawyer before the High Court, I cannot continue to represent a client whose actions disrespect the court. Johnson’s withdrawal, while the second letter on May 9, 2019, requested him to reinstate himself because he was in violation of the law,” Jackson added. Johnson announced his withdrawal on April 22, 2019, notifying him about his withdrawal, he (Jackson) instantly replied Cllr. And, there are precedents where the Supreme Court has rejected counsel’s withdrawal after arguments before the full bench,” Jackson noted. “It is been almost a month now since Justice Korkpor asked the two of you (Cllr Johnson and Cllr.
Source:Daily Observer
January 28, 2020 02:26 UTC
Pres. Weah Promises Vibrant Agriculture
He said that the country cannot realize full economic transformation without a vibrant agriculture program. In his address, President Weah stated that while he improves roads network, the next step by his administration is to reorganize the agriculture sector. “That is why my vetting and selecting of a new agriculture minister was comprehensive and thorough. He said that the agriculture minister-designate is a woman whose track record, competence and dedication match his vision for agricultural transformation. Amid his numerous promises to revive agriculture, the President said that Liberia has invested more in to the sector but the returns were regrettable.
Source:Daily Observer
January 28, 2020 02:26 UTC
UBA Liberia Introduces Teens Savings Account
To help teens learn about financial independence and plan for the future they want, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Liberia Limited on Friday, January 25, 2020, introduced a Savings Account tailored for teenagers in the country. UBA Teens will allow teenagers, (13-17) to open and run an account with the consent of their parents/guardian. A UBA Teens accounts holder, according to its Liberia Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, Mrs. Melody Mezay-Ketter, stands to benefit an array of goodies including a thirteen-month cash reward, 50 percent discount on debit cards, complimentary invite to UBA Teens event and access to all digital banking products offered by them (UBA). Both parents and the beneficiaries will be able to monitor said account and do transactions, based on the mandate issued on the account. UBA Teens is one of several products UBA Liberia is introducing to her many customers to support the Central Bank of Liberia’s vision of financial inclusion for all Liberians.
Source:Daily Observer
January 28, 2020 02:26 UTC
J J Dossen Hospital Gets Medical Boost Again
By Moses GeplyThe James Jenkins Dossen Hospital has benefited from an endowment of miscellaneous medical supplies worth US$25,000 from Maryland County Senator J. Gbleh-bo Brown. As a means of easing the problem at the Hospital, Maryland County Senator J. Gbleh-Bo Brown donated the medical items to the hospital in the presence of several implementing partners. According to him, this equipment denoted will enable the Health Team (especially the technicians and doctors) to assess a patient’s medical conditions. Receiving the gesture on behalf of the people of Maryland and JJ Dossen Hospital, Dr. Methodius George, Medical Director, expressed thanks to the Lawmaker for the good-will to the hospital and the people of Maryland County. Some Citizens who witnessed the presentation ceremony expressed thanks and appreciation to the senator for thinking about them to bring medical equipment.
Source:Daily Observer
January 28, 2020 02:26 UTC
Gas Price Inflation Leads Total Gbarnga Station to Suspend Sales
A gallon of gasoline, which previously sold for L$650, was sold on Monday January 27, 2020 for L$1,600 in Gbarnga. In spite of the soaring price, getting access to the product remains a bigger challenge to motorists. Transportation fare from Gbarnga to Cuttington University, which normally costs L$150 on both taxi cab and commercial motorbike, now costs L$500. Every L$20 distance on commercial motorbike is now triple the price or more, especially the during night hours. “If the shortage of gasoline lasted for a week in Gbarnga, most of our children will not go school” a middle aged woman stressed.
Source:Daily Observer
January 28, 2020 02:26 UTC