Campaigner for Change International Condemns Police for Use of Disproportionate Force Against Peaceful Protesters
Washington, D.C. – Campaigner for Change International Condemns the Liberian National Police Use of Disproportionate Force Against Peaceful Protesters; Calls on International Justice Groups to Increase Monitoring of the Human and Political Rights Situation in Liberia. Campaigner for Change International condemns the Liberian National Police for the use of tear gas and water cannon containing boiling water on peaceful protestors in Liberia. The Police action was a reckless attack on civil liberty, authorized directly by President Weah. On June 6, 2019, President Weah publicly vowed that any Liberian who “insults” him will never walk in the streets freely. This new network will begin series of legal and social awareness protection programs for Liberian women and girls.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 07:18 UTC
‘Most Beautiful in Liberia’ Winner Gets Car, Other Rewards
Miss Decontee Davis sitting in her award-winning car given to her by the organizers of the “Most Beautiful in Liberia” beauty pageantMonrovia – Decontee Davis has been crowned the winner of the “Most Beautiful Girl in Liberia” held on December 21, 2019 at the Ministerial Complex. Miss Davis, who represented her native land Grand Bassa County, was presented a brand new car as an award. The “Most Beautiful Girl in Liberia” was the first of its kind in Liberia and was organized by Brigitte R. Rouhana, former Miss Liberia 2012/2013 and also former Miss ECOWAS 2nd Runner-up 2012. The former Miss Liberia 2012/2013 is also the CEO and Director of Brigitte Modeling Agency. Speaking minutes after receiving her award, Miss Davis appreciated all those who supported her to win the “Most Beautiful Girl in Liberia” first beauty pageant.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 07:07 UTC
Solidaridad, EU Sign 5M Euros Agreement To Boost Cocoa Production
The Regional Director of Solidaridad West Africa, Isaac Gyamfi, and the EU Team Leader for Resilience, Ivan Borisavljevic signed on behalf of their respective institutions. Under the agreement, the EU is contributing 4 million euros, while Solidaridad is contributing 1 million euros to implement the Cocoa Value Chain Development Program (COVADEP). The overall goal of the program is to reduce poverty through increased resilience and competitiveness in the cocoa sector and improve cocoa farmer livelihood and food security. Solidaridad opened its Liberia’s office in 2015 and signed a major grant agreement with the EU in 2017 to implement the ongoing Liberia Cocoa Sector Improvement Program (LICSIP) in Bong, Lofa and Nimba Counties. Also speaking, the EU Team Leader for Resilience, Ivan Borisavljevic noted the grant is in support of the EU rural development sector program.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 07:07 UTC
Dillion’s Murder Trial Transferred To Margibi County
Monrovia – After 10 months of legal bickering at the Temple of Justice the venue for the murder trial of Oliver Dillion, the case was on Monday, January 13, transferred from Montserrado County to Margibi County. This latest move was taken by Presiding Judge Cianeh Clinton Johnson of the Criminal Court “B”. Defendant Dillion’s lawyer resisted the motion filed for change of venue arguing that the prosecution did not show any evidence to prove any local prejudice if the case is tried in Montserrado County. Judge Johnson wondered why the prosecution could think that the 5th Judicial Circuit Court could be the best place to try the case. She ordered the Clerk of Court to enter the record of the transfer of the case and transmit all records to Clerk of the Margibi Court.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 07:07 UTC
Liberia Alcohol Policy Alliance Joins Regional Body to Fight Alcohol Abuse in Sub-region
Monrovia – Liberia Alcohol Policy Alliance (LAPA) is calling on the general public to stop the abuse of alcohol. They used the launch to also join the West Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance (WAAP). “We are aware of the dangers in unregulated alcohol consumption and the resultant harm occasioned by heavy erratic drinking. LAPA along with WAAPA, the Liberian Government and other international bodies is committed to relentlessly tackling alcoholism and alcohol policy development in Liberia. “We are all aware of the negative effect alcohol consumption has on individuals, families, communities and the nation-at-large.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 07:02 UTC
Liberia: Nepotism Creeping into Central? Governor Promises Members of His Ethnic Group Employment with the Bank
MONROVIA – Mr. J. Alloysius Tarlue, Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), believes his ascendancy to the position is not based on his educational background, rather because he is a member of the Khran ethnic group. Tarlue’s pronounced plan to employ members of his ethnic group at the CBL is tantamount to nepotism. Mr. Tarlue was inducted as Executive Governor of the Central Bank in December 2019 after the resignation of Mr. Nathaniel R. Patray, III, who controversially resigned in October last year. “As I go the Central Bank, there would be a lot of obstacles, there’s an entrenched system – people been there for a long time and we have to break that clique in the system. If there’s any of our people [Grand Gedeans] who are educated, we’ll try to bring some of our people on board and we’ll also try to bring all Liberians on board because it’s the Central Bank of Liberia.” – J. Alloysius Tarlue, Executive Governor, Central Bank of LiberiaEmployment Amid Austerity?
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 06:45 UTC
Liberia: Internal Wrangling, Impeachment Scare Mare House of Representatives’ Opening Sessions
This, did not auger well for some of the lawmakers including Rep. Francis Nyumalin (Lofa County District #1) who called for the proceedings to be held in the presence of the public. The motion was hastily adopted by a yea and nay vote, amid protest from several lawmakers including Rep. Francis Dopoe of River Gee County. Speaker Chambers, throughout 2019 came under severe criticisms from several of his colleagues at the House of Representatives over what they termed as his ineptitude and divisive leadership style. “We resolved to continue with our plan [to remove Speaker Chambers]. During a heated debate on the floor over the resolution, Speaker Chambers took siege of it and ordered every lawmaker to return to their constituents for further consultations pending a decision in 2020.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 06:22 UTC
Sen. Dillon Writes Plenary Requesting A Comprehensive Audit of The Legislature
MONROVIA – Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has written plenary of the Liberian Senate to endorse a request to institute a comprehensive audit of the Liberian Legislature. According to the Montserraddo Senator, an audit of the Legislature will ensure fiscal probity, sound financial system, accountability and transparency. He made the statement last Thursday morning when he appeared as guest on the Truth Breakfast morning magazine radio program. Dillon on the Truth Breakfast Radio Morning magazine program promised to focused his attention on the legislature, where he promised to be very vocal on issues in that legislature that affect the society by extension. “If my work in the Senate isn’t enough to get me re-elected then that it is the decision of the people of Montserrado County,” he said.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 06:22 UTC
Liberia: Executive Mansion Lashes Former TRC Commission for Complaining Gov’t to Int’l Court
According to the Presidential Press Secretary, Mr. Isaac Solo Kelgbeh, Cllr. Jerome Verdier’s recent communication to the International Court, in which, he complained the Weah’s administration of bad governance and human rights abuse. According to Presidential Press Secretary Isaac Solo Kelgbeh, Cllr. This is a man who is not in Liberia but wants relevance,” Kelgbeh claimed. “When people were killed on November 7 in the past where these very human rights people were a part, they did not see anything like excessive force,” he said.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 06:22 UTC
39,000 People Living With HIV in Liberia – Aids Commission Says
Monrovia – The National Aids Commission (NAC), through its Director of Communications, has disclosed an unprecedented increase in the number of persons living with HIV in Liberia. According to Necus Andrews, at least 39,000 Liberians are currently living with the virus across the country. Mr. Andrews disclosed that out of the total number of persons affected with the virus, 22,000 are females while 14,000 are males. For too long, persons affected with HIV/AIDS have been persistently stigmatized by friends, neighbors and even family members in Liberia, he said. If Liberia is to win the fight against HIV by 2030, everybody needs to come on board; even the men,” he stressed.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2020 06:11 UTC
Immigration Gives Costa ‘Ultimatum to Appear’
The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has issued an ultimatum to the chairman of the Council of Patriots (COP), Henry Pedro Costa, to appear no later than 9:00 a.m. today or face arrest. Expected to have returned to the headquarters of the LIS on Monday January 13, Costa was advised by his lawyer, Cllr. Kangar that his office has no plan to arrest Costa, but he should appear so as to help in concluding the investigation on how he (Costa) acquired the laissez-passer, which is said to be questionable. Throughout yesterday, Tuesday, January 14, Costa did not appear at the LIS headquarters, thereby leaving the LIS with no other option but to give him an ultimatum to appear, which expires after 9:00 a.m. today (January 15). It is not clear what further action might take place should Costa be arrested after his failure to report to the LIS.
Source:Daily Observer
January 15, 2020 02:40 UTC
Sen. Dillon Calls for Comprehensive Audit of National Legislature
As Senate discusses resuscitation of economyMontserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has requested the endorsement of Senate plenary to institute a comprehensive audit of the National Legislature. The communication from Senator Dillon, who is among fourteen other Senators seeking re-election in the October 2020 Special Senatorial Election, is the first to appear before plenary on the first day sitting of the 3rd Session of the 54th Legislature. Meanwhile, minutes following the adoption of its agenda yesterday, the Senate went into executive session to discuss the report of its selected committee on the resuscitation of the Liberian economy. It can be recalled that the state of the economy was an issue that was discussed several times throughout the sittings of the 2nd Session of the 54th Legislature; and for which the Senate was recalled twice for special extraordinary sessions. Vice President Taylor was again absent from the first day sitting of the 3rd Session yesterday.
Source:Daily Observer
January 15, 2020 02:38 UTC
House Pushes Back at Senate over ‘Violations’
After two years of internal wrangling confronting the traditional and yielding collaboration and coordination between the House of Representatives and the Senate, members of the House of Representatives have finally decided to protest – threatening to reject all “financial instruments” emanating from the Senate. After about three hours of Executive session, it was established that a similar bill was submitted to the House of Representatives and the Joint Committee on Judiciary and Ways, Means and Finance was tasked to report to Plenary during the 2nd Session of 2019. There have been reports that revenue bills or related financial bills over years have mostly been emanating from the Senate, something that the House of Representatives has been silent about, probably to correct the constitutional violations. However, because the violation from the Senate persists, this has prompted members of the Independent Legislative Caucus (ILC) to register disappointments, including Representative Larry Younquoi, Francis Dopoh, and Hanson Kiazolu, with the latest being Representative Gray. During the formal reception of the opening of the 3rd session of the 54th Legislature on Monday, President Pro Tempore Albert Chie openly apologized and vowed to transmit appropriate bills to the House of Representatives to originate from there.
Source:Daily Observer
January 15, 2020 02:37 UTC
LAC/UMC Water Team Wants Gov’t Prioritize Access to Safe Drinking Water
He said when people have access to safe drinking water; residents of those communities will be healthy. He also noted that over the years the outbreak of diseases and other sicknesses are a result of a poor drinking water system. “So when the government offers a good water system by making clean and safe drinking water accessible, I think our nation will be healthy and healed. Mr. Knight said the UMC water for life program is not just into water activities but also into sanitation. “The community, especially those of our congregation have suffered too long that they are going to be direct beneficiaries of the UMC water project.
Source:Daily Observer
January 15, 2020 02:26 UTC
Winker to Weah: ‘Speak to the Nation, Restore Hope’
Like other politicians including Margibi County, Senator Oscar Cooper had said, Archbishop Winker told president Weah in his sermon to observe his political appointees and Cabinet Ministers, stressing that he should relieve anyone who does not function well in his or her post. Referencing II Chronicles 35:5-8 of the Holy Bible, Winker said the voice of the leader matters most, adding, “the President should muster the courage to speak via radio talk show regularly to inspire [the nation] and restore hope about Liberia’s bright future. Billions of Liberian dollars and millions of United States dollars have gone missing in the Weah Administration without accountability, they said. Winker’s message was under the theme: “Fear not, God is in Control” from the Old Testament book of Isaiah 41:8-11. He called on Liberians to remain hopeful because “all is not lost yet for the future of the country.”
Source:Daily Observer
January 15, 2020 02:26 UTC