Monrovia – The Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability (CENTAL) in Liberia Tuesday, October 5, 2021, presented the institution’s State of Corruption Report 2021 on Liberia to Vice President Chief Dr. Presenting the Report, Mr. Anderson D. Miamen extolled VP Howard-Taylor for her unwavering support to establish integrity institutions in the country. The State of Corruption Report 2021, according to CENTAL, is a comprehensive document that reveals the rate of corruption and what needs to be done to promote transparency and accountability in Liberia. He disclosed that the State of Corruption Report 2021 shows that nine out of ten Liberians think corruption remains high in Liberia, with a lack of confidence in the public sector to address it. Receiving the instrument, Vice President Howard-Taylor thanked CENTAL for the State of Corruption Report but stressed the need for further dialogue with all stakeholders on the findings and recommendations in the Report.

Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, has underscored the need for churches in Liberia to take the lead and speak out against challenges, ritualistic killings and other forms of insecurities that have engulfed the nation. Dr. Reeves is also the Senior Pastor of the historic Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia. Located on Broad and Center Streets in Monrovia, the Providence Baptist Church is considered as the cornerstone of Liberia. Words on TV, words on the radio, spoken words, and words printed in the Newspaper, works in books, on the computers and words on the internet. Reeves noted that in the midst of numerous challenges, the times in Liberia are “fearful and dangerous”.

Japanese Ambassador, His Excellency HIMENO Tsutomu and Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco with photos of some of the Outboard Motorized EnginesMonrovia – The CDC led government through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, (NaFAA) has disclosed the arrival of four forty foot containers of 600 pieces of Japanese Yamaha outboard engines in Monrovia. A NaFAA press release is quoting the Director General as saying that “the 600 pieces of outboard engines are intended for free distribution to fishing cooperatives within the nine coastal counties. Emma Metieh Glassco at the same time mentioned that the pending free distribution of the outboard engines to fisheries cooperatives across Liberia is President George Weah’s CDC led government way of transforming the livelihood of local fishermen thus putting them on par with their foreign counterparts. Glassco stated that the free motor engines are meant to enable Liberian fishermen navigate distances, increase their catch and earn sufficient money from huge fish supply on the markets.

Monrovia — Liberia’s Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor, has expressed gratitude to the United Nations for its heroic role in restoring peace and tranquility to Liberia following years of civil. “We cannot emphasize what the UN has done for us over the years,” Vice President Howard-Taylor pointed out. The first female Liberian Vice President spoke Monday, October 4, 2021, at her Capitol Building Office when she received in her audience the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia Ambassador Neil Scott. Speaking further, VP Howard-Taylor stressed the need for more support from the United Nations to empower and enhance women’s participation in the country’s governance process. Speaking earlier, Ambassador Scott extended warmest greetings on behalf of the UN and thanked Vice President Howard-Taylor for the warm reception accorded him.

MONROVIA — The Carter Center Liberia, and the Ministry of Health have launched a new mental health program for pregnant women in the country. Marking remarks at the program, Carter Center Country Director, Dorbor Jallah, thanked the Ministry of Health and its partners for the successful launch of the THP in Liberia. He said for the past 11 years, the Carter Center mental health program has been running closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to improve mental health in the country. The Carter Center boss said Mrs Carter and her husband former President Jimmy Carter 97, both believe that health is a human right and there is no health without mental health. “Out of this belief, the Carter Center began working in Liberia on mental health issues,” Jallah disclosed.

-- But the party says police tramples on his right to free speechThe Monrovia City Court on Monday, October 4,2021 jailed Jethro S. K. Harris, a stalwart of the Alternative Nation Congress (ANC) for allegedly spreading 'False Public Alarm’ through his Facebook post. According to the police charge sheet, defendant Harris was invited for questioning but did not show up. For the ANC, Harris committed no crime and broke no law or violates the Penal code of Liberia. “Police IG Patrick Sudue knows and should have reason to know that he’s proceeding wrongly and illegally by ordering the false arrest, and false imprisonment of Harris. But Jethro Harris is spending 3 nights in a filthy police cell on bogus charges without investigation simply because of his root with an opposition political party.

Constituent Member of Ruling Coalition For Democratic Change Expresses Disenchantment Over ‘Unilateral Decisions’ Being Taken Within the Political Marriage, Describes Such As DisrespectMonrovia – The Liberia People Democratic Party (LPDP), one of the constituent political party within the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has decried what it termed as unilateral decisions being taken by a single party within their political marriage. Recently, CDC Chairman Mulbah Morlu announced that the ruling-party was not fielding any candidate in the upcoming by-election in Bomi County. But the LPDP statement indicated that that decision was taken without their knowledge. Also, according to LPDP, in Bomi County, a primary was conducted by the CDC’s leadership in Bomi County and the result was in favor of partisan Varney. A communication signed by the three constituting parties within the CDC was sent to Chairman Morlu that partisan Varney was chosen to contest in the Bomi County upcoming Representative by-election.

“Everything those witnesses said are all false and lies intended to mislead the public,” Mr. Bility told the four-judge panel. They said Mr. Bility wanted them to testify that Mr. Massaquoi and Ms. Taylor committed human rights violations and promised to pay them US$15,000, to US$20,000 once they had testified. Mr. Bility has testified in this trial and at the Special Court for Sierra Leone that Mr. Massaquoi tortured him. “There were two persons in the room during an instance of my torture – Massaquoi and a lady – but my entire torture was directed by Mr. Massaquoi,” Mr. Bility told the court. “My people have ganged up against me and are going through other people to attack my reputation,” said Mr. Bility.

The lawmaker said women, as mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, play a pivotal role in the society, and when they are empowered, the society benefits. NEEDOWEIN, MARGIBI COUNTY – Representative Tibelrosa Summoh Tarponweh (District #1, Margibi County) has made a cash donation L$200,000 to the Needowein Community Women as part of effort to boost his women empowerment program within his constituency. Making the donation on Wednesday, Rep. Tarponweh underscored the important role women play within the Liberian society. This latest cash donation follows similar disbursement of L$100,000 to the United Women of Division #16 in Firestone and L$100,000 to the Women of Vision Organization in Schiefflin Town. Representative Tarponweh has also made some cash donations to over ten women groups in Duazon, Boys Town and Mambahn, respectively.

MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission, (NEC), through its Civic and Vote Education, CVE Section, to officially launch the Civic and Voter Education activities, for the Representative By-election in Electoral District #1 in Zwedru, in Grand Gedeh County. A NEC-Liberia statement on Sunday stated, Commissioner Barsee Leo Kpangkai will perform the official launching ceremony highlighting the overview and importance of the CVE activities on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, (BOC) of the NEC. According to the NEC statement, the official CVE activities start for electoral district #1 in Grand Gedeh County could not go ahead on last Friday largely due to bad road condition. On Friday, 1 October 2021, NEC-Liberia simultaneously officially launched the Civic and Voter Education activities in Electoral District #2 in Gbarnga, Bong, electoral district #1 in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, and in electoral district #1 in Ganta, in Nimba County, with a called for violent free elections on 16 November 2021. Ernestine Morgan Awar led the NEC-Liberia team in Tubmanburg, Bomi County for the start of the CVE activities, while Commissioner Floyd Oxley Sayor led the NEC-Liberia team to start the activities in Ganta City, in Nimba County.

PAYNESVILLE – Four renowned organizations have lauded the leadership of the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) for the tremendous development initiatives that are taking place in the nation’s most populous municipality. The ECOWAS Youth Assembly, West African Youth Network, Paynesville Citizens Action Movement, and Paynesville Youth Alliance said Paynesville is not only growing in population and commercial activities, but it is also getting the requisite developmental projects that would make it fledging and vibrant municipality. Emmanuel Chea, ECOWAS Youth Assembly Regional Chairman who read the statement, said. The groups lauded the PCC for revamping Paynesville City Party and the Children Playground m as well as for initiating athletics programs for the young people of the city. The group noted that the use of illicit drugs is putting the lives of many young people within Paynesville at risk.

“I am here to add my voice to the many voices to call on us to please take our vaccines. “Coming up soon will be the biggest social event in Liberia which is the county meet. She noted that City Mayors, Commissioners and others have a pivotal role to play if community dwellers are to troop in to take the J & J vaccine against COVID-19. Mr. Cisse Sesay pointed out that the J & J vaccine is safe and free and as such, UNICEF encourages citizens and others above 18 years to turn out and get their doses of the vaccines. She expressed the hope that the campaign will be extended to other counties in Liberia in the future.

It is sponsored by the Global Partnership for Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Education with UNICEF as its grant agent. In remarks, Nabongo Charles, Chief of Education at UNICEF lauded the Ministry of Education for the kind intervention. Nabongo furthered revealed plans by UNICEF to work with the Ministry of Education for school to be fully open in the country. More than 1 billion students are still out of school due to nationwide school closures, according to UNICEF. However, it cautioned that school’s reopening should be consistent with each country’s overall COVID-19 health response to help protect students, staff, teachers and their families.

MONROVIA — Bridge Liberia joins the world to celebrate the annual World Teachers Day under the global theme “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”. As the leading partner in the Liberian Government primary education sector, Bridge Liberia acknowledges the work and contributions of teachers across the country. Bridge Liberia teachers are supported daily by a team of supervisors and empowered with a technological device which aids lesson planning and teaching. The teaching tablets are used by Bridge Liberia supported teachers where daily lessons are uploaded to support teachers in the classrooms. Nelson Kofa, a teacher at J. W.Pearson School,a Bridge Liberia supported school, shares his experience as a teacher at the school.

MONROVIA – President George Weah has predicted a landslide victory for himself in the 2023 presidential elections which, he said, would cause the opposition political parties to think that the election was rigged. Weah’s massive victory in the 2017 elections, Lofa County – the home of his arch rival in that election was a no-go zone for Pres. He said the statement to declare Lofa County as country meets the consent of the entire county. He made the statements to journalists who gathered in Lofa County to observe the 57th anniversary of the Press Union of Liberia. Mr. Urey failed to mention the names of those he believes altered the Agreement, neither did he mention parts of the documents that were altered.