Liberia, Sierra Leone Join to Protect Gola Rainforest
Liberia owns 43% of the Guinea tropical rainforest south of the Sahara and it extends to neighboring Sierra Leone. The 43% of the total Guinea Rainforest in Liberia is a part of a globally significant biodiversity hotspot and a home to 60 wildlife species. She added that the 350,000 hectares and 232 different types of trees, 49 mammals, 327 bird species and 43 amphibians are evidence that the Gola Forest deserves protection. Walter said Liberia and Sierra Leone are once again leading the way in regional cooperation in West Africa in protecting vital forest resources. At the signing ceremony, Gbehzohngar Findley, Liberia’s Foreign Minister, said it is important for both countries to bring together traditional people who are directly involved to sign the MOU to protect the Gola forest.
Source:Daily Observer
February 24, 2020 02:26 UTC
Former Nimba Superintendent Opens Up on Senatorial Ambition
Now that he is no longer Nimba County Superintendent, a position that left him too tight-lipped to admitting to his senatorial ambition for the county, despite the glaring activities that could make anyone to predict. Former Superintendent Dorr Cooper has finally opened up in a huge gathering that he is a potential and formidable candidate in the upcoming special senatorial election. While he was yet silent on his senatorial bid, Cooper was touring Nimba, making huge donations in his own name to communities. With the announcement, former Superintendent Dorr Cooper will be one of several persons expressing interest in contesting this single seat in Nimba. Nelson Korquoi, who serves as Chairman of the CDC in Nimba was appointed earlier to replace Dorr Cooper as Superintendent.
Source:Daily Observer
February 24, 2020 02:26 UTC
Cuba Hails Africa for Rejection of US Blockade
Cuba in 2017 came first in rank among countries in Latin America as the country with the best education system (World Bank, 2017). In health, Cuba comes 30 in rank as a healthiest country (Bloomberg, 2019). US went further to allow the first commercial flights to land in Havana after 50 years, and a communication company from the United States was established there. The progress of Cuba in Education, Agriculture and Health is as well impacting Africa. Chargé d’Affaires Mercedes L. Martinez Herrera, says Cuba’s relation with Liberia and Africa in general is beneficial to the extent that students from Liberia are leaving every time going to Cuba to study Medicine.
Source:Daily Observer
February 24, 2020 02:26 UTC
Kemayah elected Vice-Chair of Special Committee on United Nations Charter- Chairs First Working Group Meeting on UN Sanctions
Ambassador Kemayah was unanimously elected by the one hundred ninety-three (193) Member States of the United Nations, at the start of the 2020 Session of the Special Committee on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Several briefers and United Nations Member States addressed the Working Group’s meeting. Mr. Ong reported that for the past several years, unintended consequences of United Nations sanctions on third States have been minimized. Mr. Ong further reported that the United Nations Sanction Committee continues to hold dialogues and open briefings with United Nations Member States and regional bodies to discuss concerns concerning United Nations sanctions. The Special Committee holds an annual session to implement its mandate and submits its report to the United Nations General Assembly for adoption.
Source:GNN Liberia
February 21, 2020 21:33 UTC
Liberia: Customary Land Conference Held in Gbarnga
Chiefs at a customary land formalization conference, which opened on Thursday in Gbarnga, Bong Co. FrontPage Africa/James GiahyueGBARNGA, BONG COUNTY – A conference on the formalization of customary land on Thursday opened in Gbarnga, Bong County for local and county officials of Lofa, Bong and Nimba. The Land Rights Act of 2018 recognizes customary land ownership but communities must first meet certain requirements the law mandates to have legal right to their land. Parley-Liberia, a Gbarnga-based nongovernmental organization is creating awareness on the law in communities from the three counties in collaboration with the Liberia Land Authority (LLA). “We know land is riches, land is politics, land is riches. The conference is a nearly US$2 million project: Protection of Customary Collective Land Rights project (P3CL) being implemented by Parley Liberia, Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI) and the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI).
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 12:11 UTC
Liberia: Firestone Liberia Suspends the Purchase of Rubber from Local Farmers
MONROVIA – Firestone Liberia is suspending the purchase of external rubber beginning March 1, 2020. Firestone is the largest producer and buyer of rubber in Liberia. According to the company, its decision is due to scheduled factory maintenance shutdown for the month of March, the temporary closure of certain company divisions for wintering, the annual/seasonal decline in rubber production activities by our farmers, and a current oversupply of rubber currently on hand. Rubber purchase activities are expected to resume in early second quarter. This news comes as a big blow of many local farmers who sell their produce to the rubber giant company.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 11:48 UTC
Liberia: Accountability Issues at FDA As Levy Collected are Paid Into Mobile Money Account; Workers Alarm Corruption
The mobile money number, 0888-207721, though registered as Forestry Development Authority (Central Office), is mobile number of the Mr. Edward Kamara, Marketing Manager. All 30 checkpoints across the country transfer fees collected to his mobile money number. “We collect a lot of money and it is all transferred to a mobile money account. But I know very huge sums are being reported.”“We collect a lot of money and it is all transferred to a mobile money account. According to him, the fees are then transferred from the mobile money account to the FDA bank account.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 07:17 UTC
Liberia: Did Cllr. Syrenius Cephus Mislead the Senate on the Ellen Corkrum’s Case? Legal Pundits Raise Eyebrow
You cannot not nolle persequi a case and then you say you have not dropped charges,” a legal luminary who preferred being anonymous argued. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, Solicitor GeneralBy this, legal pundits argue that contrary to Cllr. Cephus presentation to the Senate, the indictment against Ms. Corkrum was officially dismissed by the court. According to the Solicitor General, prior to the filing of the motion to Molle Prosequi the case, the prosecuting attorney, Cllr. Cephus said, Cllr.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 07:13 UTC
Liberia: Two Buried Alive in Jackson Village Mine Collapse
This incident comes a year after three persons died in the Jackson Village gold mine, which highlighted the risks run by illegal gold miners in the area. In this incident, the miners were illegally mining at the Jackson Village gold mine. Jackson Village is a five-hour drive from Gbarnga to Jorpolu Clan, Jorquelleh District. “We started coming here (to the mining area) basing on information that the area was rich in gold. Although gold mining attracts business to the local people, massive environmental degradation is being realized in Jackson Village.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 06:56 UTC
Liberia: Zenu Miller’s Family Rules out Rumored Internal Bleeding, Accepts Medical Report, Prepares to Bury Him
Broadcast Journalist Zenu Miller, The LateMonrovia – The family of fallen Liberian journalist Zenu Miller has officially accepted a medical report from the ELWA hospital confirming that their relative died of “severe stroke and hypertension”. Journalist Miller died on Saturday, February 15 at the ELWA hospital shortly after he reportedly fell off at his home. The medical report from the ELWA hospital gives reasons for his death from the diagnosis as severe hypertension and severe stroke,” the family statement reads. “Based upon this medical report from a credible medical institution like the ELWA, the Family wishes to inform the general public that our son the late Zenu Miller died as a result of the above-mentioned reasons and that the Family accepts and respects the medical report issued by the Hospital”. Meanwhile, the family has urged citizens to respect their decision to bury their relative on February 29 and accept the medical report released by the hospital.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 06:45 UTC
Liberia Bishop Community “Acknowledges” Bishop Gorloryorn
Greater Refugee Temple Church Bishop Nathaniel Zarway crowning Bishop P. Alfred Gorloryorn after accepting him in the Bishopric Community in LiberiaPaynesville – The Liberian Bishopric Community has accepted and acknowledged the Bishop of the Seed of Abraham Christian Center Inc. Lighthouse Church, Bishop P. Alfred Gorloryorn. Bishop Gorloryorn was accepted into Bishopric Community over the weekend by by Bishop George D. Harris of the Diocesan Bishop of the Philadelphia Church in Congo Town. Bishop Harris praised the Bishop Gorloryorn for coming to be a part of the community in Liberia despite him being consecrated and ordained in the United States. So we studied and investigated, prayerfully considered and we said that you are on the right track,” Bishop Harris added. “I feel honoured, delighted and dignified to be member of the Bishopric Community of Liberia,” Bishop Gorloryorn said.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 06:31 UTC
Educate Liberia Conducts Refresher Training for Elementary Schools’ Teachers
All the 50 teachers trained were given certificate of participation in Educate Liberia trainingPaynesville – The US-Liberia based educational non-governmental organization (NGO), Educate Liberia Inc, over the weekend concluded a five-day “Language-based Foundation Workshop” for 50 elementary division teachers. The teachers were selected from all six schools that Educate Liberia affiliates with in four counties, including Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, and Gbarpolu. Ms. Gertrude Kromah Wolobah, one of three teachers from the Compoundsu Public School in Bopolu, Gbarpolu, stated that their little efforts in the classrooms are being augmented by Educate Liberia. Right now we are doing phase one, which is teachers’ training, because without training the teachers, the children won’t learn; so what the teachers learn will spill over to the children,” Mrs. Scott-Caranda said. About Educate LiberiaEDUCATE LIBERIA INC, is a conglomerate of Liberian educators, social workers, counselors, 501c professionals that believe in the education system of Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 06:22 UTC
Liberia: Court Subpoena Top AFL Officials to Testify In Former Defense Minister Economic Sabotage Case
The trio was summoned based on prosecution’s submission to the court, requesting that the officials serve as state witnesses. This means they will testify against the former Minister and his two former deputies. The AFL officials were linked to the former defense minister case after the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) declared them as persons of interest during its course of investigation of the case. In his ruling, Judge Gbeisay granted the prosecution’s submission and ordered the Clerk of court to summon Eco Bank and the officials to testify in the case. On Wednesday, February 19, State prosecutors presented their first witness in the trial and also presented copies of documentary evidence to the court to prove their case against the three former Defense Ministry officials
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 06:11 UTC
Liberia: ‘Partisanship’ Overshadows Legislature Oversight Responsibility – Alleges Former Lawmaker
Mr. Dunah, who represented one of Nimba County’s electoral districts in the 53rd National Legislature, claims that members of the 54th National Legislature are not vigilant in carrying out their oversight responsibility by checkmating officials of the Executive, including Ministers, Directors, and Heads of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), among others. “When it comes to oversight, lawmakers of the 54th Legislature have not been vigilant as compare to the 53rd. In terms of calling Ministers to Committee Rooms and dealing with national issues, they have not been vigorous in the last two years. Mr. Dunah maintained that unlike the 53rd Legislature, where members did not give the former ruling party an easy ground in terms of proceeding and exercising their oversight responsibility, the 54th National Legislature has failed to act similarly. Speaking further, the former Nimba County lawmaker underscored the need for reformation and modernization of the national Legislature to ensure efficient and effectiveness.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 06:11 UTC
Liberia: OHCHR Supports Final Validation of Government’s 3rd Circle State Report To Universal Periodic Review
Mr. Sonny Onyegbula, OHCHR Acting Deputy Country Representative, speaking at the opening ceremony of the final validation of the Government’s State Report to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)Buchanan – The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has supported the Government of Liberia to conduct a final validation of the Government’s State Report to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR is a four-year human rights country situational review process that requires each state to submit a summary report on how it implemented the various international human rights obligations the State subscribed to. The stakeholder’s consultation creates awareness of the State’s human rights obligations and creates sense of ownership on the part of the stakeholders that participate in the process. OHCHR has been steadfast in supporting Liberia to discharge her international human rights reporting obligations. Liberia was expected to submit its UPR report to the Human Rights Council by the 3rd February, but requested an extension to submit at the end of February.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 21, 2020 06:00 UTC