Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai has commissioned the first batch of cabinet ministers and heads of agencies recently confirmed by the Liberian Senate, as enshrined in Article 54 of the 1986 constitution. He tasked the newly confirmed Ministers and heads of agencies to deliver on campaign promises or step down. More so, every Minister or Head of Agency, will sign a performance contract to meet up expected deliverables. President Boakai defeated former President George Weah in the last elections in October 2023. President Boakai was the Vice President to Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for 12 years, when, many say, he acquired experience in public administration.

Following his reported denial to access the VIP Lounge at the Roberts International Airport by the Former Liberian President, George Manneh Weah upon his return from abroad allegedly by some highest ups, some members of the former ruling party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) have publicly expressed displeasure over the situation. This unexpected turn of events has caused quite a stir among the public and raised eyebrows as to why he would be denied entry to a structure that he built during his tenure as President. Many are left wondering if there are underlying political motives at play or if there are other reasons behind this denial. Regardless, this incident has sparked widespread speculation and discussion, with some questioning the motives of those in power. As the situation unfolds, the public eagerly awaits an explanation for this puzzling occurrence.

By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]The petitioners include Edwina Crump Zackpah (Chairperson), Israel Akinsanya, James Gharwen, Zatowon Titus, and Osborne Diggs. They maintain that the President’s authority to appoint commissioners is subject to these statutory provisions and cannot override the tenure guaranteed by law. In the instant cause, the Petitioners have done nothing in violation of the law to warrant their replacement or removal. They argued that allowing their removal without cause would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the stability and integrity of Liberia’s democratic institutions. The Court has also ordered the Executive to stay further actions relating to the nominations to those positions until the conference is held.

MONROVIA – The Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), an entity established through an act of legislature to fight against financial crimes appears to have itself entangled in the very crimes it should be preventing. Financial statements and analysis also showed that the aggregate amount received in 2023, was US$1,079 million, and FIA Director General Ford withdrew and disbursed 95% percent of such amount in the name of the Comptroller. Mr. Ford refused to respond to an FPA inquiry despite continued reminder via text messages over a five-day period. The transaction’s timelineOn July 1, 2023, Mr. Ford was appointed as co-chair of the finance committee of the then ruling CDC, which contravene the FIA Act of 2021. The FIA seeks to protect Liberia’s financial system from abuse of financial and economic crime for the enhancement of national, regional, and global peace and economic stability.

*By Paul Ejime |Pro-democracy activists and scholars are concerned about the global decline of freedom, erosion of the rule of law, and the growing threats to Western-style liberal democracy, and rightly so. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is among those who believe that Western-style liberal democracy has failed in Africa and does not suit the continent’s culture and traditions. Whether it is liberal democracy that has failed, or the operators/practitioners (political actors) that have failed the people and the system is open to debate. Diamond explained that electoral democracy or the conduct of regular elections cannot equate to liberal democracy, which should be measurable not by government or individual performance, but by the aggregation of collective satisfaction of the aspiration of the majority. *Ejime, is an Author, Global Affairs Analyst, and Consultant on Peace & Security and Governance CommunicationsVisited 28 times, 28 visit(s) today

-Students demand removal of the College’s President MassaquoiThe Bong County Technical College (BCTC) has been at the center of protests as students demand the removal of President Dr. Roland Massaquoi. The protesters have been calling on the Bong County Legislative Caucus for prompt action. The BCTC students are also calling for budgetary increments to operate the institution to a full degree-granting institution towards the completion of the college and upgrade the academic programs at the college. The Bong County Legislative Caucus has acknowledged the students' concerns and has promised to address their petition promptly. The Bong County Senator further assured the students that their petition would be addressed within a week.

Section 2.1.3 of the GAC Act establishes the duties of the Auditor General, stating that the Auditor General shall be responsible for auditing the public accounts and public funds of Liberia. The section also grants the Auditor General the authority to determine the scope, timing, and type of audits to be conducted, emphasizing the independence of the Auditor General in performing operational duties. The contention arises from whether the Central Bank’s operations fall within the purview of “public accounts” or “public funds” as defined by the Act. The debate underscores the need for clarity in interpreting the mandate of the GAC and delineating the boundaries of its audit authority vis-à-vis the operations of entities like the Central Bank. Acting Under AuthorityAlso Section 5.5 of the GAC Act outlines stringent criteria for accepting external requests for audit.

By Euan Ward and Hwaida Saad Reporting from Beirut, Lebanon |Israeli airstrikes inside Lebanon on targets associated with the Hezbollah militia hit deeper than any in recent years on Monday, targeting an area close to the Syrian border. The Israeli military said that its fighter jets had struck Hezbollah air defenses in the Bekaa Valley, about 60 miles from the Israeli border. It said that the strikes were in response to a surface-to-air missile attack that downed an Israeli drone over southern Lebanon. At least two Hezbollah fighters were killed in the Israeli airstrikes and at least six other people were wounded, according to Bachir Khodor, mayor of the nearby city of Baalbek. The fighting has displaced more than 150,000 people on both sides of the Lebanese-Israeli border and left hundreds dead.

The Citizens Action Committee is a collaboration of five (5) pro-democracy organizations in Liberia. He noted that Mr. Roger Domah possesses the requisite qualifications, competence and experience to serve as Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health. The Citizens Action Committee wishes to make it indisputably clear that President Joseph Boakai was in no error to have nominated Roger Domah to this high level administrative position. Grandee said Domah’s Master’s Degree in Public Administration demonstrates a more direct alignment with the administrative functions required for the role of Deputy Minister for Administration. The Citizens Action Committee (CAC) comprises the Liberians for Democratic Advancement, Movement for the Promotion of Transparency & Good Governance, Independent Civil Society Network of Liberia, North-Central Youths Alliance of Liberia and National Youths Council of Liberia.

We, the concerned citizens of Grand Gedeh County residing in the United States, submitted today a petition to the President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyumah Boakai, asking him to reconsider his nomination of Mr. Alex Chersia Grant as Superintendent of Grand Gedeh County. This is where the people of Grand Gedeh County are with the Nominee. We are convinced that eventually appointing him will present a threat to Grand Gedeh County’s peace and harmony. Grand Gedeh County cannot afford another six years of doldrum. Authorized signerKai-Matthew WhyeeFormer President, Pennsylvania Chapter, Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas (GGAA)6507 Old Marshall RoadUpper Darby, PA 19082+1-515-863-3883Whyee2g8@yahoo.comThe names of the Concerned Grand Gedeans submitting this petition are attached.

"Your Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. Your Excellencies, Presidents, and Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS Authority. "Liberia takes note of the Memorandum on the Political, Security, and Peace in our region presented by His the President of the ECOWAS Commission. Therefore, his views on ECOWAS matters, as the only surviving member of the founding fathers of ECOWAS, are of considerable importance to Liberia. I wish all of us a productive outcome of this Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government", President Boakai said.

CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – House Speaker Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa has clarified that the House of Representatives made the right decision to pass the President’s special budget to save the government from shutting down. He said the request to use additional US$41.3 million was illegal and violated the Public Financial Management Law of Liberia. However, speaking to legislative reporters on Capitol Hill, Speaker Koffa said the decision was a just political decision in line with the law. “I was not prepared to hold on to civil servants’ salaries on political maneuvering or political stunt.

The delegation previously met in Paris, with mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt. Speaking anonymously to discuss the ongoing negotiations, the Egyptian official outlined a proposed six-week halt in fighting. However, negotiators are confronted with an informal deadline looming with a start date around March 10th, the beginning of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. In the midst of diplomatic talks, tension was within Israel as police employed water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Tel Aviv. The protest was directed against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with protesters calling for the release of the hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas militants.

Here is the full Statement of President Boakai:Your Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. Your Excellencies, Presidents and Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS Authority. Excellencies, as we are aware, His Excellency Dr. General Gowon is a founding member of ECOWAS. Therefore, his views on ECOWAS matters, as the only surviving member of the founding fathers of ECOWAS, is of considerable importance to Liberia. I wish all of us a productive outcome of this Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and government.”Visited 144 times, 144 visit(s) today

The newly appointed Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Rudolph J. Merab, Sr, a no stranger in the sector has vowed under his watch to robustly accelerate the professional services of the entity in order in order for it to regain its prewar status, as one of Liberia’s functioning state enterprises. Sources closed to the sector, revealed that the new FDA Managing Director previously worked in the Timber Industry in the early 1970s when he purchased a small sawmill from the Methodist Mission in Ganta and started producing sawn Timber. The investigation also revealed that the Merabs then engaged the LBDI and concluded a sales agreement for all of the assets of their company. We got permission from the Forestry Development Authority to remove and dispose of all logs fell by the company paying taxes to the government. The Merabs and their wives and the children of their employees fled to Sierra Leone due to the war.